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EveryParampara

Traditions of Nuremberg

The old imperial city of Germany, famed for its Christkindlesmarkt, gingerbread and toy making.

Nuremberg is a Franconian city with a restored old town, a castle and a long tradition of craftsmanship, from toys to clockwork. Its Christmas market, the Christkindlesmarkt, is among the most famous in Germany and is opened every year by a Christkind in a golden robe.

Nuremberg: Nuremberg, view from Sinwell Tower 2012.06.16
Photo: YuTrofimov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Christkind and the market

On the first weekend of Advent, a young woman in a golden gown is introduced as the Christkind and reads a prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche. Prune men, Zwetschgenmännle, figures of dried plums, and gilded angels of foil are sold at the market. Children bring lanterns.

At the table

Nuremberg Lebkuchen, a spiced gingerbread on a wafer, is baked from medieval recipes. Nürnberger Rostbratwürstchen, tiny grilled sausages served six, eight or twelve at a time with sauerkraut, are famous. Mulled wine, Glühwein, is drunk from tiny mugs at the market.

Signature traditions of Nuremberg

ChristkindThe Christmas angel.

Also part of it, and being written: Nuremberg Christmas Market (The market.), Lebkuchen (The gingerbread.), Nürnberger Rostbratwurst (The sausage.).

A trail idea for Nuremberg

  1. Hauptmarkt Visit in Advent.
  2. Imperial Castle See the old walls.
  3. Toy Museum See old toys.
About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

KindSpiritualFestivalRite of passageTable customSeasonalDressPerformanceEtiquetteCraftGameFolkloreHomeCeremony
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperTea-time and snacking customsTea, coffee and drinking ceremoniesSweets given and sharedFeasts and festival mealsFasting and breaking the fast
🇩🇪 Nuremberg, Germany and 5 moreChristmas marketWeihnachtsmarkt A seasonal street market held during Advent in German-speaking regions and beyond, featuring stalls, food, and crafts.Festival · Tea, coffee and drinking ceremonies 🇩🇪 Nuremberg, Germany and 5 moreChristkind The traditional Christmas Eve gift-bringer across Central Europe and Latin AmericaFestival

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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