Hotels near Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt

The Christkindlesmarkt fills the Hauptmarkt with around 180 wooden stalls under red-and-white striped canvas roofs, which is why locals call it the little town of wood and cloth. The 2026 market runs from 27 November to 24 December, open daily from 10am to 9pm, framed by the Gothic Frauenkirche and the Schöner Brunnen, the ornate 14th-century fountain on the square.

The market is strict about tradition: stalls sell handmade decorations, gold foil angels, nutcrackers, cribs and Zwetschgenmännle, little figures made from dried plums. Plastic decorations and recorded music are not allowed.

Food is a big part of the appeal, from Nuremberg Lebkuchen and fruit bread to small grilled Rostbratwurst served three in a bun.

Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday morning, when the lanes are calm enough to browse. On weekend evenings the Hauptmarkt gets so crowded that moving between stalls can take several minutes.