Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt
2026 dates confirmed
Nuremberg Christmas Market 2026
Last updated · How we compile this guide
When is the Nuremberg Christmas market in 2026?
Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt on Hauptmarkt runs 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 (official 2026 dates). Opening ceremony 27 Nov at 17:30; 24 Dec until 14:00. Entry is free. The first Sunday of Advent in 2026 is 29 Nov 2026.
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt is one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world. It opens on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent, when the Christkind — a young woman chosen every two years to play the Christmas angel — recites the prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche. Some 180 stalls with red-and-white striped roofs fill the old-town square.
Come for Nürnberger Rostbratwürste (three in a bun: Drei im Weggla), Nuremberg Lebkuchen, prune-and-nut figures called Zwetschgenmännle and traditional ornaments. Nearby, the Children's Christmas market and the Market of the Sister Cities, with stalls from Nuremberg's twin towns, complete the visit.
28 NovOpened (2025)
24 Dec 2025Closed
- Opening ceremony — the Christkind's prologue on the Friday before Advent (27 November in 2026)
- Rostbratwurst — three finger-sized sausages in a roll
- Lebkuchen — Nuremberg's famous spiced gingerbread
- Kinderweihnacht — a separate market for children with a carousel
Dates, location and website
Dates shown are from the 2025–26 season unless 2026 dates are marked — check the official website before you go.
Plan your visit to Nuremberg
Getting there
Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof is a 15-minute walk from the Hauptmarkt along Königstraße. Munich is about an hour away by ICE, and Bamberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber make easy day trips.
When to go
The opening evening with the Christkind's prologue draws huge crowds. Weekday mornings are the calmest time to browse; weekend evenings are very busy.
What to buy
Look for Nuremberg Lebkuchen in decorative tins, Zwetschgenmännle prune figures and gold-foil angels (Rauschgoldengel), a Nuremberg tradition.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Nuremberg Christmas market 2026?
The official dates for 2026 are 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026. Opening ceremony 27 Nov at 17:30; 24 Dec until 14:00. Opening hours can change, so check the official website before you travel.
Is the Nuremberg Christmas market open after Christmas?
No — it closes on 24 Dec 2026, so plan your visit before Christmas Day.
Is the Nuremberg Christmas market free?
Yes, entry is free — you only pay for food, drinks and gifts.