Things to Do in Nuremberg in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Nuremberg
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- The Christkindlesmarkt (Nuremberg Christmas Market) runs late November through December 24th and is genuinely one of Europe's finest - over 180 stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, Lebkuchen (gingerbread), and Glühwein (mulled wine) in the Hauptmarkt square. The market atmosphere peaks in early December before the final pre-Christmas rush, and the medieval Old Town backdrop makes it magical without feeling manufactured.
- Museum weather is perfect - you'll actually want to spend hours indoors at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (Germany's largest cultural history museum) or the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds without feeling like you're missing sunshine. The DB Museum (German Railway Museum) is surprisingly engaging and nearly empty on weekday mornings in December.
- Hotel prices drop significantly after December 23rd if you're visiting post-Christmas, sometimes 40-50% lower than the Christmas market peak. Mid-week stays in early December (before the 15th) also run about 25-30% cheaper than weekends, and you'll get the full market experience with half the crowds.
- Winter specialties are everywhere - Nuremberg's famous Drei im Weggla (three bratwurst in a roll) tastes better in cold weather, and the seasonal Lebkuchen is actually fresh rather than the stale tourist versions sold year-round elsewhere. Local bakeries make Stollen and Früchtebrot (fruit bread) that you won't find outside December.
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 8:00 AM, sunset by 4:30 PM. You're looking at roughly 8 hours of usable daylight, and with overcast conditions typical for December, it often feels greyer than the numbers suggest. This compresses your sightseeing window considerably, especially for outdoor attractions like Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) where you want decent light for photos.
- The Christmas market crowds on weekends (especially the two weekends before December 24th) can be genuinely unpleasant - shoulder-to-shoulder in Hauptmarkt, 15-20 minute waits for Glühwein, and pickpockets working the dense crowds. If you're visiting specifically for the market and can only do weekends, expect to move at a crawl between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
- Cold and damp feels worse than dry cold - that 70% humidity at -2°C to 4°C (29°F to 39°F) cuts through layers in a way that surprises visitors from drier climates. You'll need proper winter gear, not just a heavy jacket, and standing still at the Christmas market for 30 minutes while sipping Glühwein will chill you faster than you expect.
Best Activities in December
Christmas Market Evening Visits with Strategic Timing
Visit the Christkindlesmarkt on weekday evenings (Monday through Thursday) between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM for the best atmosphere-to-crowd ratio. The lights are fully on, the cold makes the Glühwein taste better, and you'll avoid the weekend crush. The market stays open until 9:00 PM most nights, but the energy peaks in that early evening window. Combine this with the smaller markets - Sternenhaus (children's Christmas market) and Hans-Sachs-Platz partner market - which are genuinely less crowded and often have better food stalls than the main Hauptmarkt area.
Imperial Castle and Old Town Walking Routes
Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) is actually better in December than summer - no tour bus crowds, and the cold keeps casual visitors away. The castle museums (Deep Well, Bower, Imperial Castle Museum) are heated and provide context you'll miss if you just photograph the exterior. Plan your visit for late morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) when you've got the best light for the 30-40 minute walk up from the Old Town. The views from Sinwell Tower across snow-dusted rooftops are worth the 113 steps, though it's genuinely cold and windy up there. Combine this with the Albrecht Dürer House nearby - the artist's former residence is a quick 10-minute walk downhill and makes a good warm-up stop.
Museum Circuit for Cold and Rainy Days
December is ideal for Nuremberg's museum scene. The Germanisches Nationalmuseum requires 3-4 hours minimum and covers German cultural history from prehistoric times to present - genuinely world-class and nearly empty on weekday mornings. The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is sobering but essential, located 4 km (2.5 miles) southeast of the Old Town and reachable by tram 8. The DB Museum (German Railway Museum) is surprisingly engaging even for non-train enthusiasts, with historic locomotives and interactive exhibits. Save these for afternoon hours (1:00 PM onwards) when outdoor light is already fading, or for days when rain is forecast.
Traditional Franconian Restaurant Experiences
December is peak season for Franconian winter cuisine - Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast), Schäufele (roasted pork shoulder), and Karpfen (carp, a Christmas tradition). Historic beer cellars and traditional Gasthäuser (taverns) are atmospheric in December, with wood-paneled interiors and ceramic tile stoves. Lunch specials (typically 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM) run 8-14 euros and offer the same quality as dinner for half the price. Evening reservations are essential on weekends in December, especially the two weeks before Christmas. Look for restaurants advertising Fränkische Küche (Franconian cuisine) rather than generic German food.
Day Trips to Bamberg or Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Both medieval towns are within 90 minutes by train and offer Christmas markets that are smaller but often more charming than Nuremberg's. Bamberg (60 km / 37 miles north) has a UNESCO-listed Old Town and unique smoked beer (Rauchbier) that's an acquired taste but worth trying. Rothenburg ob der Tauber (90 km / 56 miles west) is touristy but genuinely beautiful under December snow or grey skies, and the Christmas Museum (Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum) is surprisingly interesting. These work well for days when you need a break from Nuremberg's crowds or want to see more of Franconia.
Evening Concerts and Cultural Performances
December brings Christmas concerts, organ recitals, and classical performances to Nuremberg's historic churches - St. Lorenz and St. Sebaldus both host weekly concerts, and the acoustics in these Gothic spaces are exceptional. The Staatstheater Nürnberg (State Theatre) runs opera, ballet, and drama performances throughout December. Tickets are surprisingly affordable (15-50 euros) compared to major European capitals, and the quality is high. These evening events (typically 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM starts) work perfectly with December's early sunset and give you something to do after the Christmas market closes.
December Events & Festivals
Christkindlesmarkt (Nuremberg Christmas Market)
The city's famous Christmas market typically runs from late November through December 24th, closing at 2:00 PM on Christmas Eve. The opening ceremony (usually the Friday before the first Advent Sunday) features the Christkind - a young woman in gold and white robes who delivers a prologue from the Frauenkirche balcony. This is genuinely worth attending if your dates align, though expect massive crowds. The market itself is known for quality crafts rather than cheap imports - look for Zwetschgenmännle (prune figurines), handblown glass ornaments, and authentic Nürnberger Lebkuchen. The Glühwein costs 3-4 euros per mug plus 3-4 euro deposit for the commemorative cup.
Blue Night (Blaue Nacht)
This contemporary art and culture festival typically happens in early December (first Saturday of the month) with museums, galleries, and cultural venues staying open until midnight or later. The city lights up with art installations, performances, and projections across the Old Town. It's a modern contrast to the traditional Christmas market atmosphere and attracts a younger, local crowd. One ticket (around 15-18 euros) gives you access to all participating venues and public transport for the evening. Worth experiencing if you're in town that weekend and want something beyond Christmas market culture.