Nürnberg Christkindlesmarkt 2023

Friday December 1. to Sunday December 24. 2023

“Little Town from Wood and Cloth”

Every year, Germany’s most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls for visitors from all over the world, right in the middle of the city, on Nuremberg Main Market Square. The opening of the Nuremberg Christmas Market, always on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday, is an impressive event, both for Nuremberg inhabitants and tourists from Europe and abroad.

TV-teams report this pre-Christmas event to countries all over the world. People throng the Main Market Square between the Christmas Market stalls. Children crane their necks and stare at the darkened gallery of the Church of Our Lady. At 5.30 p.m. trumpets are blown and a choir from the local music school sings Christmas songs. Finally, the lights are switched on and spotlight the gallery of the Church of Our Lady. In the bright lights, the Nuremberg Christkind recites her famous prologue, opening the Christmas Market.

Wooden stalls, festooned with red-and-white cloth, have given the Christmas Market its name of “Little Town from Wood and Cloth”. More than 160 stall holders present their traditional wares: Nuremberg spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets, typical Christmas articles such as Christmas tree angels, cribs, Christmas tree ornaments and candles, toys as well as arts and crafts products. Favourite souvenirs include “Zwetschgenmännle”, little figures made from prunes. And of course, by way of refreshments, there are always rolls with Nuremberg roast sausages and mugs of mulled wine.

The staff of the Market Department keep a watchful eye on the goods on offer. So plastic fir garlands are a definite no-no, just as much as non-stop taped Christmas muzak or carousels. The market’s stall holders also compete for the most beautiful and tasteful stall design. And reap their rewards: since 1981, the City has presented an annual award of gold, silver and bronze “Plum People” for the most beautiful stalls.

Nuremberg Christmas Market with its traditional image has also been a model for other Christmas Markets. The “Little Town from Wood and Cloth” has also been much in demand as a picturesque backdrop for TV productions.

Long Shopping Night

2023 is also the Long Shopping Night in the city center, where the stores will be open until 10 pm

Opening times – 2023

The Christmas Market will be solemnly opened with the Nuremberg Christkind’s prologue on December 1 at 5.30 p.m.

Mon. – Sun. 10.00 a.m. – 9 p.m. – Opening day 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The last market day will be 24. December (10.00 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Please visit the English language homepage for more info:

http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/en/

Christkindlesmarkt Nürnberg | Foto: Steffen Oliver Riese/www.steffenriese.de