The day began with the kids practically bouncing out of bed, eager for our planned trip to Nuremberg. After a quick breakfast and double-checking our bag for snacks, gloves, and my husband’s reusable mugs, we bundled up and headed to the U-Bahn station. The holiday decorations at Munich Hauptbahnhof seemed to mirror our own excitement, making even the wait for the train feel festive.
The journey was beautiful, with the countryside passing by in a frosty blur of snow-dusted fields and sleepy villages. The kids sat by the window, pointing out everything from icy ponds to small herds of deer. My husband and I enjoyed the moment of calm, sharing smiles over the kids’ enthusiasm
Arriving in Nuremberg by late morning, we were greeted by the brisk winter air and the charm of the old town. Before diving into the Christmas market, we decided to explore a bit of the city’s rich cultural offerings.
Our first stop was the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, a treasure trove of German history and art. The kids were drawn to the musical instrument exhibit, marveling at a harp that looked straight out of a fairy tale and an enormous gilded tuba. My husband and I lingered over a display of festive traditions, including handcrafted wooden nativity figures. It was a perfect prelude to the Christmas magic awaiting us.
By mid-afternoon, we visited a small art gallery tucked away near the Hauptmarkt. The gallery featured unique, contemporary interpretations of holiday traditions alongside more classic works. One piece—a whimsical sculpture made entirely of recycled materials—particularly stood out to us. The kids had lots of questions, and the gallery owner was kind enough to explain the artist’s vision. It was a delightful stop that added a creative touch to the day.
Finally, as the winter sun began to sink low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the town, we arrived at the Christmas market. The square was alive with lights twinkling against the dusk, their reflections dancing off the cobblestones. The warmth of the stalls, the hum of cheerful chatter, and the mingling scents of spiced wine, roasted nuts, and fresh pretzels enveloped us.
It was as we were exploring the market that we spotted something truly magical: a large fairy statue, its dress and wings glittering with thousands of LED lights. But what made it special was the design—there was a small opening at the back, where you could step behind the statue and place your head into the space at the top. When viewed from the front, it looked like you were the fairy angel, complete with glowing wings and a sparkling dress.
A queue of laughing children—and a few spirited adults—had formed to take turns posing. My daughter was immediately entranced and tugged on my hand, begging to try it. She waited patiently, bouncing on her toes with excitement. When her turn came, she stepped behind the statue, carefully placing her head in the opening.
From the front, the effect was perfect—her face framed by the glowing wings and shimmering dress. She looked like a radiant angel come to life. I snapped the picture, and as she stepped back, she was grinning from ear to ear. My husband took a quick turn as well, his playful smile making the kids laugh, and we agreed this was one of the highlights of our visit.
With the fairy photos captured, we continued exploring the market. Our first stop was a glühwein stall. My husband and I treated ourselves to steaming mugs of the spiced wine, while the kids opted for hot chocolate. We stood at one of the tall wooden tables, warming our hands on the mugs and watching the kids chatter excitedly about the market. I took a deep sip of the wine, savoring its warmth and rich flavor, and felt completely at ease.
Exploring the market was a feast for the senses. At a food stall, we ordered fried mushrooms, which were sautéed in butter and garlic, their earthy aroma irresistible. The kids nibbled at them cautiously at first but were soon asking for more.
At a stall brimming with ornaments, we picked out a beautiful snow globe featuring a Christmas train circling a snowy village—a perfect keepsake. The kids also found jingles and bells for the Christmas tree, which they gleefully shook as we walked through the glowing stalls.
As night fell, the market transformed into a winter wonderland. Strings of golden lights sparkled against the dark sky, and the sounds of a brass band playing carols added a touch of magic. We let the kids stop to watch a puppet show, their laughter blending with the joyful hum of the crowd.
When it was finally time to leave, the kids clutched their snow globe and jingles tightly as we made our way back to the train station. The train ride home was quiet, the rhythmic motion lulling both children to sleep, their cheeks still rosy from the cold.
Back in Munich, we carried the sleepy kids to bed and then sat by the Christmas tree to admire our new decorations. The jingles were already hanging on the branches, and the snow globe had taken its place on the mantel.
The fairy photo, of course, was the true prize of the day. As I looked at it on my phone, my daughter’s glowing face framed by the sparkling lights, I knew it would become one of our favorite memories of this holiday season. Lighting a pine-scented candle, I sat beside my husband, feeling grateful for a day filled with laughter, wonder, and the kind of magic that only Christmas can bring.