Nuremberg Events and Festivals

(Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany)

Boasting a rather diverse calendar of cultural events, outdoor concerts and traditional German festivals, there are always plenty of things to do in Nuremberg. Particularly notable is the Easter Market (Ostermarkt), the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) and also the Old Town Festival (Altstadtfest), one of Nuremberg's biggest events.

Other popular festivals in Nuremberg include the Trempelmarkt flea markets and the summer Jazz Festival (Stimmenfang). Those visiting the city during June may be lucky enough the experience the famous Nürnberger Bratwursttag (Nuremberg Day of the Sausage), where many traditional sausages can be sampled and local entertainment enjoyed.

Nuremberg National Public Holidays

• 1st January (New Year's Day)
• Late March or early April - Good Friday / Easter Sunday / Easter Monday
• 1st May (Labour Day)
• Early May - Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter
• May / June - Whit / Pentecost Sunday and Monday
• 3rd October (Day of German Unity)
• 25th December (Christmas Day)
• 26th December (Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day)

Nuremberg Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Fasching / Karneval (Carnival) - the start of the carnival season, with celebrations around the city

February

• Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair - early February, a massive fair attracting almost 3,000 exhibitors from all around the world
• BioFach Trade Fair - mid-February, a notable organic trade fair at the Katharinenmarkt, with around 2,000 stands and attended by thousands of visitors each year

March

• Easter Market (Ostermarkt) - late March / early April, a popular local market which takes place in the Main Market Square, with plenty of market stalls and local specialities on offer

April

• Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) - mid-April, one of the largest seasonal events in the whole of Nuremberg, held close to Dutzendteich Lake and attended by more than one million visitors, who come to enjoy the beer tents, funfair rides and tasty food

May

• Trempelmarkt - early May, an enormous flea market centred around the Hauptmarkt, also held in September
• International Organ Week (Internationale Orgelwoche Nürnberg) - mid-May to mid-July, one of the most important events of its kind in the world, with religious music, choirs and performances by many outstanding organists
• Blaue Nacht (Blue Night) - mid-May, many of the best cultural attractions in Nuremberg host a range of events and stay open well into the night, attended by more than 100,000 visitors every year
• International Puppet Theatre Festival (Internationales Figurentheaterfestival) - mid-May, taking place every other year at the Tafelhalle
• Asparagus Market (Spargelmarkt) - mid to late May, lasting just over a week and celebrating the locally grown asparagus from nearby Knoblauchsland, on the very outskirts of Nuremberg

June

• Rock im Park - early June, major European open-air musical event, regularly attracting around 150,000 festival goers
• Nuremberg Day of the Sausage (Nürnberger Bratwursttag) - mid-June, a celebration of this local speciality
• Old Town Festival (Altstadtfest) - late June, first held around 40 years ago and attended by more than one million visitors, who come to enjoy the folk, classical and jazz music, the tasty food, the jousting and the fireworks
• Norisring Rennen - late June, a popular rally race through the city's main streets, hosted by the Nuremberg Motor Sport Club
• Summer in Nuremberg at Katharinenruine - June to September, with live music at the historic Abbey of St. Katherine

July

• Nürnberger Bardentreffen (Nuremberg Singer Songwriter Festival) - late July, attracting many international musicians and literally thousands of visitors, with a rather diverse selection of live music, all of which is free of charge to watch
• Classic Open Air (Klassik Open Air) - late July / early August, with highlights including performances by both the acclaimed Nuremberg Symphonic Orchestra and also the Nuremberg Philharmonic Orchestra

August

• Fantasy Filmfest - early August, a chance to watch some noteworthy films, ranging from science fiction to spine-chilling horror films
• Tucher Knight Games (Tucher Ritterspiele) - mid-August, a trip back to medieval times, with entertainment, such as knight's tournaments, lasting three days
• Autumn Funfair - late August to early September, with fast rides, amusements, sides stalls and plenty of beer

September

• International Human Rights Film Festival - early September to mid-November, with various international screenings and venues around central Nuremberg
• Herbstmarkt (Autumn Market) - mid-September, held on the Main Market Square and offering a chance to both taste and purchase local produce
• Cycle Race (Radrennen Rund um die Altstadt) - mid-September, a notable cycling event watched by more than 100,000 spectators
• International Children's Day (Internationaler Kindertag) - late September, with plays, entertainment, activities and events for children of all ages
• Nuremberg Jazz Festival (Stimmenfang) - late September / early October, first held in the early 1990s and now more popular then ever, taking place in many venues around the Gostenhof district

October

• Nuremberg City Run (Nürnberger Stadtlauf) - early October, including a half marathon and always attracting plenty of cheering spectators

November

• Nuremberg Cabaret Days (Nürnberger Kabarett-Tage) - early to mid-November, lasting just over two weeks and of great local cultural significance, with a range of entertainment at Burgtheater
• Saint Catherine's Market (Katharinenmarkt) - late November, a historic market close to the White Tower, first held more than 100 years ago

December

• Christmas Market (Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt) - early December to Christmas Eve, full of local traders, seasonal gift ideas and goodies for everyone