Event Details
Welcome to the Nuremberg Christmas Market 2026
From 27 November to 24 December 2026, the Hauptmarkt in Nuremberg's Old Town is transformed into the world-famous village of wood and cloth. Around 180 traditional red-and-white striped wooden stalls invite visitors to stroll, browse and enjoy. The Nuremberg Christmas Market is considered one of the oldest and certainly the most famous Christmas market in the world, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe every year.
Opening Ceremony with the Christkind Prologue
The festive opening takes place on Friday, 27 November 2026 at 5:30 PM. From the balcony of the Frauenkirche on Hauptmarkt, the Nuremberg Christkind (Christmas Angel) recites the traditional prologue: „Ihr Herrschaften, sei Gott gegrüßet alle." The Christkind is a young woman from Nuremberg aged between 16 and 19, selected every two years by a jury. The current Christkind for the 2025/2026 term is Nora Falk. Arrive by 4:30 PM to secure a good spot in front of the Frauenkirche.
Highlights
- Ceremonial Christkind prologue from the balcony of Frauenkirche on 27 November at 5:30 PM
- Around 180 traditional red-and-white striped wooden stalls on Hauptmarkt
- Children's Christmas Market on Hans-Sachs-Platz with vintage carousel, steam train and craft workshops
- Sister Cities Market at Rathausplatz with vendors from Atlanta, Cambridge, Glasgow, Hiroshima, Nice, Prague, Venice and Kraków
- Traditional Lantern Procession by Nuremberg schoolchildren
- Original Regional market in front of St. Sebaldus Church with local producers
- Sternenhaus (Star House) in Heilig-Geist-Saal with cultural events and performances
- World's largest Feuerzangenbowle (flaming punch) at Fleischbrücke on the Pegnitz river
Opening Hours
- Opening day, 27 November 2026: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (prologue at 5:30 PM)
- 28 November to 23 December 2026: daily 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Christmas Eve, 24 December 2026: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sister Cities Market and Original Regional: open until 23 December only
- Children's Christmas Market (Hans-Sachs-Platz): 27 November to 30 December 2026, daily 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Admission & Prices
Entry to the Nuremberg Christmas Market is free of charge. Cultural events at the Sternenhaus may require a ticket. Typical food and drink prices in 2026: Glühwein (mulled wine) €4 to €5, Feuerzangenbowle €6 to €8, three Nuremberg sausages in a roll €4.50 to €5.50, Elisenlebkuchen (gingerbread) from €8. The mulled wine mug deposit is €3; the annually redesigned mug can be kept as a souvenir.
The official payment token, the Christkindlesmarkt Taler, is worth €5 each; a pack of 10 Taler costs €45 (equivalent value €50) and is available from the Wöhrl store at Ludwigsplatz.
Visitor Tips
- For the opening prologue, arrive at Hauptmarkt by 4:30 PM at the latest.
- Travel by U-Bahn, tram or bus; bus line 36 stops directly at Hauptmarkt.
- Parking near the market is very limited; public transport is strongly recommended.
- The Christkind visits the Children's Christmas Market Tuesday to Friday at 2:30 PM.
- Book accommodation in Nuremberg several months in advance as demand is extremely high.
