Nuremberg Christmas Market: Christkind

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The Festive Opening Ceremony and Prologue

The Nuremberg Christkind opens the Christkindlesmarkt each year on Friday before the first Sunday in Advent.

A Symbol for Nuremberg: The Origin of the Christkind

The idea that the Christkind brings children their Christmas gifts goes back to the protestant reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546). In Luther’s time, it was traditional to give children gifts on December 6th, St. Nicolas’s Day. To turn away from the Catholic veneration of saints and saint’s days, Luther laid gift-giving in his household on Christmas Eve.

How is the Nuremberg Christkind chosen?

Since 1969, the Nuremberg Christkind has been chosen every two years by an election process. Young Nuremberg women are invited to apply for this voluntary post.

What does the Nuremberg Christkind do?

The Nuremberg Christkind, with her white and golden dress, long blond curls and golden crown, has been the symbol of the Christmas Market for many decades. In fact, the event – the “Christkindlesmarkt” – is named for her. During Advent, the Christkind is the most important representative of the city and the Christmas Market.

The Nuremberg Christkind as ambassador of Christmas

While the present Christkind in Nuremberg has more than 170 appointments during Christmas time at the Christkindlesmarkt and charitable institutions, the previous Christkind is still on active service. Because she is even known as far away as the USA!