Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt Canceled for 2020
There’s disappointing, if not unexpected, news for fans of Nuremberg’s famous Christkindlesmarkt, as it has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world-famous holiday season market is one of Germany’s oldest, attracting two million visitors annually. Consequently, Nuremberg, which is Bavaria’s second-largest city, draws visitors throughout the year, but especially during the spectacular Christmas market. This pre-Christmas event dates back to the mid-16th century, with its first written record appearing in 1628.
The Christkindlesmarkt is renowned for its wooden stalls adorned with red-and-white striped cloths in the city’s main market square. Visitors can enjoy typical Nuremberg gingerbread, grilled sausages, mulled wine, and various arts and crafts. Each year, the market is opened by the “Christkind,” and young women from Nuremberg apply to be considered for this voluntary, two-year post.
It was originally hoped that the four-week market could occur under different conditions by holding it on four separate squares throughout the Old Town. This arrangement aimed to ease the flow of visitors and create more space in the main market. Plans included wider stall lanes, a mask-wearing requirement, and the installation of disinfection stands. However, Nuremberg’s mayor, Marcus König, has announced that the market will not proceed this year due to the city’s rising COVID-19 infection rates.
It has reluctantly concluded that proceeding with the event would send the wrong message in a country struggling to curb the virus. “This decision is not easy for us,” says König. “The Christmas market, with its great tradition, belongs to Nuremberg. Nevertheless, we cannot justify an additional gathering of many thousands of people in the city center.”
Other cities in Germany and Europe have also announced cancellations of Christmas markets, such as Berlin’s famous Gendarmenmarkt. Therefore, it is advisable to check for up-to-date information regarding specific markets.
