The main Nuremberg markets
The markets most visitors come for, with the dates and opening hours published by the organisers themselves. The full list, with filters, is on the markets page.
| Market | Place | Dates 2026 | Opening hours | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markt der Partnerstädte — the twin towns' market Rathausplatz, 90403 Nuremberg | Nuremberg — old town | 27 November – 23 December 2026 | same as the Christkindlesmarkt, daily 10:00–21:00 | Free entry |
| Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nuremberg | Nuremberg — old town | 27 November – 24 December 2026 | daily 10:00–21:00; on 24 December 10:00–14:00 | Free entry |
| Nürnberger Kinderweihnacht — the children's market Hans-Sachs-Platz, 90403 Nuremberg | Nuremberg — inner city | 27 November – 30 December 2026 | daily 10:00–21:00; 24 December 10:00–14:00; closed 25 December; 26–30 December 11:00–20:00 | Free entry |
| Bamberg Christmas market Maximiliansplatz, 96047 Bamberg | Franconia region | 24 November – 23 December 2026 | daily 9:30–20:00 | Free entry |
| Erlangen Waldweihnacht — the “forest Christmas” Schlossplatz, 91054 Erlangen | Franconia region | 23 November – 24 December 2026 | — | Free entry |
| Nürnberger WinterDorf — the winter village Jakobsplatz, 90402 Nuremberg | Nuremberg — inner city | 12 November 2026 – 9 January 2027 | daily 11:00–21:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00–22:00; 24 December until 14:00; closed 25 and 26 December and 31 December and 1 January | Free entry; a ride on the big wheel €6, children €4 (2026 season) |
All markets, dates and opening hours →
Countdown to the opening of the Christkindlesmarkt
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt opens on 27 November 2026.
Source: the official City of Nuremberg page. The Christkindlesmarkt is run by the City of Nuremberg and has nothing to do with the publisher of this site.
Practical information
Getting there, parking, public transport, closing days, paying and mug deposits — written for someone coming to Nuremberg in Advent for the first time.
Getting there, parking and public transport
The city explicitly advises against driving into the old town. What works instead: park-and-ride, the U1, and the tickets that actually pay off.
When to come — and what is closed when
The market runs for four weeks, but not every day is the same. Which hours are reliably the worst, when it is quiet, and which market is still open over the holidays.
Paying, deposits and what things cost
Cash or card, how much the deposit on the mulled-wine mug is, what the Christkindlesmarkt-Taler is — and why any price quoted for a Christmas market stays a rough guide.
Coming from the Czech Republic: Prague, Plzeň and what to bring
A comparison of every connection from Prague and Plzeň, how the Czech motorway vignette works, which tickets pay off for a group, and what to watch when you pay.
Story of Lights Nuremberg — the light park in Stein
A walk-through light park in the castle grounds at Stein near Nuremberg, first season 2026/27. With it Germany becomes the fifth country of Story of Lights. The season's theme is Travelling Around Europe. Dates and prices have not been published yet.
Dates 2026: Season 2026/27 — dates to be announced · Entry: Prices to be announced · Getting there: about 7 km south-west of central Nuremberg; travel directions and parking will be published with the dates
Transparency note: Story of Lights is the light-park brand of DECOLED s.r.o., the Czech manufacturer that publishes this guide. It is the only attraction on this site that we have a commercial interest in. Every other market and attraction listed here belongs to someone else, is listed for information only, and is neither rated nor promoted.
Guides
Longer reads: what makes the Christkindlesmarkt what it is, how a day trip works, and what to take home from Nuremberg.
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt 2026: dates, prices, what to eat
The Christkindlesmarkt runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026. What the city has already confirmed, what is still open, what the three specialities cost — and which other markets belong to the season.
Nuremberg in one day: arriving, the route through the market, getting back
The market opens at 10:00 and closes at 21:00. How to divide up those eleven hours, when to arrive, and which hours are better spent somewhere else.
What to take home from Nuremberg: Zwetschgenmännle, Lebkuchen, Rauschgoldengel
Three things exist in this form only here — figures made of dried plums, gingerbread with six centuries behind it, and an angel made of gold foil. What they are, how to spot the handmade ones, and what survives the journey home.
Not sure how to fit it all in?
Tell the planner how many days you have, whether you are travelling with children and what you want to spend, and it puts together a route from the places on this site.
Build my itineraryEverything on this page was checked on 21 September 2026. Found a mistake? One line to [email protected] is enough.