German Christmas Market in Nuremberg

The Christkindlmarkt, German Christmas Market, is a holiday tradition in Germany that goes back hundreds of years. Most villages, towns and cities across Germany hold the popular markets. The markets are local in nature, each with their own character. Traditionally the merchants selling their ares at a Christmas market come from the surrounding region, giving each market a slightly different feel. Of the many markets in Germany, the Christmas market in Nuremberg is the most famous.

Visitors travel to Nuremberg from around the world to experience the joys of the Christmas market. According to the Nuremberg Christknidl Market website, about two million visit the market every year for the most famous Christmas market in Germany.

The market opens on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Advent is the four-week period before Christmas, so the markets usually open on the last Friday of November.

In Nuremberg, about 180 wooden stalls are decorated with red and white cloth. The market is called the "Little Town from Wood and Cloth." The city is so picturesque during the Christmas season that it is often in demand for films.

Vendors offer traditional, often handmade, gifts and crafts. Traditional arts and crafts include ornaments, woodwork, steins, and Plum People (little figures made from plums). Christmas ornaments may be made of blown glass or hand carved from from wood. The pride of the craftspeople is obvious in the merchandise in the charming. wooden stalls.

While browsing through the market, shoppers are tempted by the smells of spicy cookies, sizzling German sausages and warm spiced wine. Snack on some of the foods and beverages while at the market. Bakery products, chocolates, cookies and candies are great treats to take home for the holidays and to give as gifts.

The Nuremberg Christmas Angel is the symbol of the Christmas Market. The angel, with long golden hair,dressed in a white and golden dress, represents the city and the market. The Christmas Angel, or Christkindl (Christ Child), opens the market with a prologue. The Christkindl often appears at the market throughout the Christmas season. Official duties of the angel also include visiting hospitals, schools and people's homes.

During the month of December, Nuremberg is transformed into a Christmas City. The German Centre for Tourism has awarded Nuremberg with the honorific title of "Number One Christmas City."

Christmas season is a terrific time to visit the towns and villages of Germany, with their festive, colorful markets. The markets are festive gatherings with the sights, smells, sounds and spirit of Christmas.

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