16 Things to Do in Nuremberg at Christmas: Markets & More

Nuremberg is world-famous for the Christkindlesmarkt, and it deserves every bit of that reputation. It’s one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world and is exactly what you’d hope for on a festive winter city break.

Nuremberg delivers on Franconian charm and traditions, wrapping the whole Old Town in twinkling lights, the smell of Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and that cosy, old-world magic that made me fall in love with this medieval city.

But what surprised me most on my trip was how much more there is to do here beyond the markets. Between the medieval streets, the incredible museums, the castle views, the cosy concerts, the quirky neighbourhood and the centuries of art and craftsmanship, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy!

Nuremberg is the perfect destination for a cosy trip for those looking to fill their cup with more than just glühwein (though you’ll gladly consume litres of it during your visit).
Here is my guide on the best things to do in Nuremberg at Christmas, including the best Christmas markets, festive experiences, whimsical activities and must-see museums & landmarks.

The market is watched over by the Christkind, a local Christmas icon dressed in gold with angelic curls, who ceremonially opens the festivities each year.

If you only try two things (though realistically you’ll end up trying ten) at Christkindlesmarkt, make it glühwein and Nürnberger Rostbratwurst.

Glühwein is Germany’s version of mulled wine, and it’s served in these cute little festive mugs with a €5 deposit. Return the mug, and you’ll get your deposit back; otherwise, it’s all yours to keep as a souvenir!

Then grab a “Drei im Weggla”, meaning “three in a bun”, which I know sounds like an innuendo, but it’s just the literal serving size of three sausages in a crusty bread roll. I recommend adding a heaping of sauerkraut and a generous dollop of mustard, which is how the locals like it. 

The Nuremberg Christmas Market runs from November 28 to December 24 2025, open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, closing at 2 pm on Christmas Eve. Note: the opening date changes each year slightly; however, it always starts four weeks prior to Christmas.

Don’t make the mistake of not bringing cash with you. Stock up on some euros before you go because a few stalls are still charmingly old-fashioned and don’t accept card payments.

Within the artisan’s yard, there are various cosy taverns and rustic restaurants where you can grab a plate of Nürnberger sausages and a big pint of Franconian red beer.

At Christmas, the whole courtyard feels even more charming with festive touches everywhere, lined with Christmas trees and twinkling lights.

Handwerkerhof is open from 8 am and late into the evening, closing at 10 pm Mon-Sat and 8 pm on Sundays. It’s located right next to the main train station and only a 10-minute walk from the Christkindlesmarkt.

The highlight here is the Grant Wheel, a 38-metre-high Ferris wheel with closed panoramic gondolas that glide above the rooftops.

Back on the ground, you’ll find various stalls serving Franconian grilled sausages, Vintner mulled wines, currywurst and local gingerbread, with a few heated huts where you can consume your festive treats in the warmth.

Don’t forget to pack your most OTT Christmas Sweater for your Nuremberg trip. On Mondays, if you turn up to the Mulled Wine Pyramid wearing your festive cheer, you’ll get 50% off your second drink.

Nuremberg Winter Village runs from the 13th of November 2025 to the 6th of January 2026. It’s open 11 am – 9 pm daily except for Christmas Eve, when it closes at 2 pm.

The climb up to Sinwell Tower is a must for sweeping views over Nuremberg’s Old Town – well worth the moderate 100+ step climb. By the way, “sinwell” roughly translates to “immensely round”, which is exactly how I felt after one too many bratwurst from the Christmas markets.

In the centre of the outer bailey lies the Deep Well, a 50-metre stone shaft carved directly into the rock, built to secure the castle’s water supply during medieval sieges. A visit to the well is only possible with a guided tour (included with the entry fee), where the guide demonstrates just how far down the well goes by lowering a candle down the shaft.

Inside the main castle rooms, the exhibitions mix historical artefacts with architectural details that make it easy to imagine imperial entourages filing through the halls.

It’s free to enter and walk around the castle gardens, where you can access an amazing viewpoint across the city.

Admission to the Nuremberg Castle Museum + Sinwell Tower + Deepwell costs €9 or is FREE with a Nuremberg City Card. Children under 18 are admitted free of charge.

I loved how different it felt from the traditional market, with each stall proudly showing off its home city’s food, crafts and festive traditions. I spotted stalls from some of my favourite places I’ve travelled to recently, including Krakow, Prague and Antalya.

Browse through organic Italian olive oils, discover handmade crafts from Japan or grab a hot toddy from the Glasgow stall. This market is more relaxed, with locals mingling with stall owners and comparing festive treats and traditions from around the world.

The Sister Cities Market runs from the 28th of November to the 23rd of December 2025, open 10 am – 9 pm daily.

During my visit to Sebalduskirche (St. Sebald’s Church), I got the opportunity to join a guided tour of the south tower. Now, I’ve done my fair share of church tower climbs; however, this has been my favourite so far!

Unlike most, which are straight up and down for a view, on this tour, you’ll make several stops on your way to the top (which helps break up the 244-step climb). The first stop is at the Angel Choir, which provides you with a spectacular top-down view of the church hall inside.

Continuing, you’ll tour the attic, which houses the church’s original gable and then you’ll pass the bronze cast bell that rings every Friday at 3 pm. Finally, you’ll reach the rooftop gallery, where you have access to a 360-degree view across Nuremberg, with views of the Imperial Castle and the Christmas markets sparkling below.

The tour costs €7 for adults and €2 for children. Tower tours take place every Thursday and Saturday at 4:30 pm from April to December.

Note: if you suffer from vertigo or are claustrophobic, I’d recommend giving the tower tour a miss!

General entry to the church is permitted with a €2 donation.

This tour covers all the main sights, from the Imperial Castle, the Maxbrücke bridge and to St. Lawrence Church. The tour will also pass by Nuremberg Winter Village in Jakobsplatz, allowing you to take some festive photos with the Ferris wheel.

Throughout the year, the tour normally starts from the main market square next to the Schöner Brunnen (beautiful fountain); however, in December, it departs from the Christmas Market at Hallplatz.

The Bimmelbahn Train tour lasts 40 minutes and is available in various languages with audio guides provided in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian & Chinese.

Tickets cost €10 per adult and €5 for kids.

The whole square looks like a Christmas storybook with colourful stalls, tiny rides and nostalgic decorations. You’ll find a miniature Ferris wheel, a two-tiered carousel and even a steam-powered railway.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time here, even though I am very much not a child (obviously). What I loved most was how thoughtful the layout felt, giving kids space to play while adults relaxed with a wine. Even if you’re travelling without children, it’s worth a wander for the cosy, old-fashioned charm alone.

The Christkind makes a special visit to Kinderweihnacht every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 2.30 pm, where all children are invited to a free ride on the carousel.

Kinderweihnacht is open from November 28 to December 24, 2025.  It’s open 10 am – 9 pm daily except for Christmas Eve, when it closes at 2 pm.

Inside, the rooms are filled with replicas of his tools, old printing presses and exhibitions of his works, and you can even wander through Dürer’s former living quarters to see how he actually lived as one of Nuremberg’s most celebrated residents.

I took my time wandering through the workshop floors and loved watching the demonstrations of traditional printmaking.

As a graphic designer, it gave me a whole new appreciation for how much effort went into creating Dürer’s engravings. Some of his most famous engravings, like Melencolia I (1514), likely took two to three months each because of their density and intricate detail.

Admission to Albrecht Dürer’s House costs €7.50 or is FREE with a Nuremberg City Card.
 
On Saturdays, at 2 pm, you can join a guided tour (given in English) where an actress portraying Agnes Dürer (the wife of Albrecht), welcomes you into her home, and spills the tea on her home life, former guests of the house and spares no goss about her relationship with her husband. This tour costs an additional €4 per person.

The highlight of the evening was several jaw-dropping performances by award-winning flautist Fabian Egger. At only 18 years old, Fabian had the whole crowd captivated with every note – I was absolutely in awe of his talent. 

About halfway through the performance, the Christkind (Christmas fairy child) came on stage and recited a poem of sorts. It was in German, of course, but I smiled and pretended I knew what they were saying – all I know is that it sounded positively cheerful and festive.

The acoustics inside the hall are gorgeous, and the whole performance runs for about an hour, which is the perfect amount of time to give your legs a break and escape the cold outside.

Aim to arrive at least 20 minutes before the show starts to admire the gorgeous setting and grab a good seat because the locals adore these concerts, and they fill up quickly!

In the year I visited, there were five different concert performances in early December, and they all sold out very quickly, so make sure to book tickets in advance! Tickets for the 2025 concert series cost €32 per person.

The façade is covered in intricate stonework, and the huge rose window is one of its most famous features. Inside, you’ll find treasures like the Annunciation by Veit Stoss, a carved masterpiece that somehow survived the heavy damage the church suffered during the Second World War.

It’s centrally located and easy to combine with the rest of your Old Town sightseeing, and I’d recommend popping in either early morning or late afternoon when it feels particularly serene. 

Entry is free, though there is a suggested donation of €2 per person.

This is definitely considered more of a foodie-focused Christmas market, with various huts dedicated to different types of food and alcohol.

There’s a cheese hut serving truffle pasta from a Parmesan wheel, a grill hut for bratwurst and steak and a sweet cottage where you can grab Christmas almonds, crepes and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Be sure to try Glühbier – a spiced mulled beer served warm and brewed by Schanzenbräu, found at the beer hut. 

For a genuine Nuremberg Christmas experience away from the crowds, this market is a gem and well worth the visit. While it’s a bit out of the way from the hustle & bustle surrounding the Christkindlesmarkt, it’s only a quick 5-minute ride on the U-Bahn (subway) from St. Lawrence Square.

I hopped on at dusk, which was absolutely the right call. The Christmas lights were just starting to glow, the market was buzzing, and watching it all from a horse-drawn carriage was simply magical.

The ride was pretty bumpy as the horses clip-clopped down cobblestone streets, where you’ll get lovely views of the timbered houses on Weißgerbergasse (Tanner’s Lane). You’ll feel like a celebrity as everyone stops to take photos – not of you specifically (duh!), but of the iconic yellow carriage.

It’s a short but sweet experience, lasting around 10 minutes, but such a charming way to see the city during the festive season.

The ride costs €6.50 for adults and €4.50 for kids.

While the more precious antiques are safely behind glass, there’s a brilliant play area for kids, complete with cubby houses and enough toys to keep them entertained for a few hours.

On the top floor, the exhibits are grouped by decade from the last 50 years, and it was a joy spotting toys from my childhood like Furbies, Tamagotchis and other nostalgic treasures.

I also couldn’t help but laugh at a tiny, easily missed display near the end featuring a smartphone labelled “toy of today”, which is tragically accurate considering how many traditional toys have been replaced by a black rectangle.

Nuremberg’s Toy Museum reminds you that adults are really just large children (but with crippling debt and anxiety). Obviously, this is the perfect place to take your kids to – but as a 34-year-old childless woman on a solo travel trip, I absolutely loved it here too!

Admission to the Toy Museum costs €7.50 or is FREE with a Nuremberg City Card.

Here you can experience a gingerbread making workshop where expert bakers walk you through the history, the techniques and the little quirks that make proper lebkuchen so unique.

I loved how hands-on it was, even with the dough already prepared. You learn how to layer it onto the wafer, shape it, and go wild with decorations before it all goes into the oven.

While your creations bake, you get to sample freshly made gingerbread and hear stories about the company’s roots and how they still produce their famous tins today.

If you’ve never tried lebkuchen before, don’t expect your typical gingerbread. Instead of a crisp biscuit, expect a softer and slightly denser texture – a mix between a soft cookie and a cake, it’s absolutely delicious.

If you’re a keen photographer like me, I recommend visiting Weißgerbergasse in the morning when it’s blissfully quiet, with only a few locals about walking their dogs. I visited at 9 am and practically had the street to myself. I assume most of the town and tourists were still fast asleep or nursing a hangover from the previous night’s rounds of glühwein. 

Later in the day, it livens up with cafés and small shops opening their doors, so it’s a lovely area to revisit when everything is awake.

Kelsey’s Hotel Highlight

Karl August Hotel

Karl August is a beautifully designed boutique stay right in the heart of Nuremberg’s Old Town and just a 1-minute walk from the city’s world-famous Christmas Market. If you’re visiting during the festive season, you genuinely cannot stay closer.

This was the perfect base for my stay in Nuremberg, and I know you’ll be equally obsessed as I was with the contemporary design, artisan details and the elegant, warm atmosphere found throughout this hotel.

One of the highlights of Karl August is its serene spa with a heated stainless-steel indoor pool, located on the top floor of the hotel, with views across Nuremberg’s charming tiled rooftops.

There are plenty of day beds to stretch out on and a Finnish sauna, all designed with soothing natural materials. After a day of wandering the Christmas stalls in the cold, this is exactly where you’ll want to unwind. There’s also a well-equipped gym if you want to squeeze in a workout.

Karl August has four standout spots to eat and drink. Brasserie Nitz serves elegant French classics by the river, including the hotel’s beautiful etagere breakfast. Café Pique Nique is perfect for pastries, snacks and great coffee with views of the Market Square.

For a special occasion, Tisane offers a Michelin-starred chef’s table experience. And for something sweet, the playful Bonbon Ice Cream Bar serves inventive flavours that are impossible to resist.

The rooms at Karl August are bright, minimal and beautifully crafted. With oak furniture, textured concrete, soft linens, walk-in rain showers and large windows overlooking the historic city.

Every detail is thoughtfully considered, from the custom-made textiles to the locally crafted ceramics. Suites offer extra space, freestanding bath tubs, lounge areas and private balconies with some of the best views in Old Town.

You’ll be staying right by Hauptmarkt, St. Sebald Church and the Pegnitz River – everything is walkable, from museums to cosy taverns to the fairytale Christmas lights that make Nuremberg one of Europe’s most magical winter cities.