Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

The 2028 Christkindlesmarkt

Each year the Hauptmarkt in the old town of Nuremberg turns into a village of red and white stalls under the Frauenkirche. In 2028 the market is the shorter of the two estimated editions in our calendar: 24 days, from Friday 1 December to Sunday 24 December.

It remains an open-air market with no entry fee, and it is part of a wider cluster of Advent attractions in the old town.

How the dates were set, and what is still open

The status is estimated. The organiser has not yet published the 2028 dates, and we used the usual pattern, an opening on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday. In 2028 the first Advent falls late, on 3 December, which pushes the opening to 1 December and gives a compact season.

Christmas Eve is a Sunday this year, so the last day is also the fourth Advent Sunday. Whether the final day keeps its usual shortened hours is something to check with the organiser later.

Character, sights and food

Nuremberg's Christmas market leans on tradition: the Christkind's opening prologue, the uniform red and white stalls, and a strong focus on regional crafts and food. Compared with the more tourist-heavy markets of the big cities, this one still feels rooted in the town.

With a short 2028 season, the weekends will likely be crowded, so a weekday visit may be more comfortable.

Rostbratwürste, Lebkuchen and Glühwein are the staples, and many visitors also buy Zwetschgenmännle as souvenirs. For sights, the Kaiserburg offers a view over the roofs, the Dürer House shows how the painter lived, and the Handwerkerhof near the station presents craft shops in a stylised old town setting.

If you have children, look into the children's Christmas area near Hans-Sachs-Platz.

Getting there and where to stay

Trains from Munich take about an hour and a bit on the fast connection, and the old town begins right outside the station. Nuremberg airport connects by U-Bahn. For the compact December season, book early, and consider neighbouring towns like Fürth or Erlangen with S-Bahn links if central rooms are full.

Parking in the old town is limited; use park and ride or the station area.

Public holidays and vacation days in Bavaria, 2028

The estimated start is Friday 1 December 2028 and the end is Sunday 24 December. Christmas Day is Monday 25 December and Boxing Day Tuesday 26 December, so there are two weekday holidays right after the market ends. No Bavarian holiday falls inside the market itself, and 8 December is a Friday without special status in Bavaria.

A weekend visit on 1 to 3 December needs no vacation day if you arrive after work. A visit on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December would take two days. For the Christmas week, taking only Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 December gives nine days off from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 December for three vacation days, as 25 and 26 December are holidays. Dreikönig on 6 January 2029 lies outside the period.

Tips and who it suits

It suits people who like classic markets and are happy with a compact itinerary. Arrive early in the day on weekends, bring warm clothing and plan lunch away from the main square.

Since the 2028 dates are not confirmed, revisit this page and the city's official announcement once they are published.

A practical point for 2028: with the season only 24 days long and the first Advent late, the weekends of 2 to 3, 9 to 10 and 16 to 17 December are likely to be the busiest, followed by the final Christmas weekend. If your schedule is flexible, a weekday evening between 4 and 7 December offers the same lights with far fewer people. Pack gloves, as the Hauptmarkt is exposed and the wind can be sharp.