Nuremberg Christmas Market: What to Really See and Domonkeysandmountains.com /nuremberg-christmas-market-germany

The Nuremberg Christmas Market is Germany’s most famous and one of it ’s most tradit ionalmarkets.

That also means it’s a popular attraction, drawing in over 2 million visitors from Germany, Europe, and even Japan!

I went to the Nuremberg Christmas Market for the first time last year. I thought it was nice, but overcrowded (avoid goingon a weekend if possible). I went again this year and really enjoyed it, in large part because I went with locals whoshowed it to me through their eyes and I really enjoyed it!

Here’s What To Really See and Do at the Nuremberg Christmas Market:

Visit the International Christmas Market

Besides the regular market there’s also an international one with 14 of Nuremberg’s sister cities. Cities are representedfrom Nicaragua, Czech Republic, Italy, and from all over the world. My favorite was the Cuba stand where we weretreated to an impromptu salsa demonstration! Any guesses which city/country this wooden booth belonged to?…

Atlanta, U.S.A!

Meet Christkind

Me hanging out wi th the Chr is tkind.

Christkind was the traditional giver of gifts. Not surprisingly children love meeting the Christkind. I had the opportunity tomeet her as well and she was lovely. Maybe we’ll even be BFFs. Then again, she might be kinda busy at this time ofthe year. The Christkind first appeared at the Nuremberg Christmas Market in the 1930s. She now appears at other markets throughout Germany as well. Children can visit her every afternoon at Hans‑Sachs Platz at 2.30 (arriving on themain market square at 3 o’clock).

Meet the Prune People (Zwetschgenmännle)

The fam ous Prune People , wh ich you can in Nurem berg.

The Prune People are some of Nuremberg’s most famous residents and can be found going about their daily life. Locals have a saying “If you want someone in your life who doesn’t cause you any trouble, get a prune person!” Goodadvice! Prune people are for sale at many vendors.

Children’s Christmas Market

Chi ldren decorating g ingerbread cookies .

This is one of only a few in Germany. Even as an adult I loved it. There are rides including an old- fashioned carouseland it’s even interactive! Children can make candles or decorate Nuremberg’s famous gingerbread cookies!

Eat What is Quite Possibly the World’s Best Gingerbread

Nuremberg has a long-standing history with gingerbread. You can read about it at A Medieval Treat from Nuremberg. It’s such an interesting story that I wrote a whole post on it.

Nativity Scene Exhibit

Nativi ty s cene exh ib i t

On the way to the Children’s Christmas Market is a nativity scene exhibit on the left side, hiding behind the woodenstalls. Many people miss it, but it’s worth a quick look. I loved this one with all the animal figurines.

Take in a Concert

All the churches have frequent concerts during the Christmas market and there’s a stage set up in front of the Church ofOur Lady (Frauenkirche) where school choirs and big bands perform.

Drink f rom the World’s Largest Feuerzangenbowle

Feuerzangenbowle, according to Wikipedia, is a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is seton fire and drips into mulled wine. All I know is that it is some seriously strong stuff! I’ll stick to my mulled wine!

Tour Nuremberg in a Stage Coach

This was so much fun and surprisingly comfortable! The stage coat is a 1939 replica that takes guests throughNuremberg’s cobble stone streets. I felt like I was stepping back in time even without a lady in waiting waiting for me.Tours last about 10 minutes and leave from across from the fountain in the main square.

Learning more about the history of the Nuremberg Christmas Market really brought it to life for me and made itmeaningful, much more so than when I walked around clueless last year. And besides, it’s not everyday that I get to beBFFs with Christkind…even if it is only in my imagination.

Visit the official Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg for further info. You may find that visiting just one market is not enough (I’ma bit of a fanatic myself), in that case check out the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market and My Favorite

Christmas Markets in Munich.

Thank you to Nuremberg tourism for their tour. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

About Laurel

Laurel Robbins is a free-spirited adventurer, award-winning travel blogger at Monkeys and MountainsAdventure Travel Blog. Many hats, one travel obsessed Canadian in Germany.