Christmas Market in Klosterhof Nellingen

A Market of Associations, Not a Commercial Market

The Christmas Market in Klosterhof Nellingen is explicitly an association-run market — no commercial exhibitors, but local schools, kindergartens, associations, and church communities staffing their own stalls. The organizer is the Bund der Selbstständigen Nellingen (BDS Ostfildern-Nellingen e.V.), a local business and trade association that has been organizing the market for years. The concept has a clear, community-oriented character, distinguishing it significantly from larger commercial Christmas markets.

Klosterhof — A Historic Venue

The venue is the historic Klosterhof at Klosterhofstraße 10, 73760 Ostfildern-Nellingen. The Klosterhof refers to the former Augustinian Eremites' priory from the 13th century — today a historically preserved area around the Klosterhofschule and the community center. In the cold December weather, the historic walls and courtyards create a particularly cozy atmosphere — much more intimate than an open marketplace.

Handmade Items from Schools, Kindergartens, and Associations

Exhibitors sell their own handmade products at the stalls:

• Schools and Kindergartens — Christmas decorations from craft classes, creative children's gifts
• Associations — homemade cookies, candles, wooden decorations, felt crafts
• Church Communities — Christmas nativity scenes, Advent wreaths, calligraphy cards
• BDS Members — small handcrafted products from their workshops

The proceeds from sales go directly to the exhibiting organization — school support association, kindergarten projects, association funds. This gives the market its unmistakably local character.

Alternating Christmas Music

Three local musical acts shape the soundscape of the market:

• Ostfildern Music School — ensemble performances by various student groups, often alternating
• Children's Choir of Klosterhofschule — Advent songs by the schoolchildren
• Brass Choir of CVJM Nellingen — classical Advent music with brass instruments

St. Nicholas, Knecht Ruprecht, and Elf

Since the market takes place on the eve of the 2nd Advent (close to St. Nicholas Day), the visit of St. Nicholas is a central program item. Accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht and an elf, he guides the children through the market, talks to them, and distributes gifts from his sack. A reliable program item for families from Nellingen and the surrounding districts.

Catering at Several Stalls

In addition to sales, the association stalls also handle catering — mulled wine, non-alcoholic children's punch, bratwurst, potato pancakes, crêpes, and homemade cookies. The proceeds from catering, like sales revenue, go to the respective organizations.

Ostfildern — A Town Between Stuttgart and the Filder Region

Ostfildern, with around 40,000 inhabitants, is one of the larger towns in the Filder region (Esslingen district, AGS 08116) — formed in 1975 from the merger of several municipalities, including Nellingen. With its Stadtbahn (light rail) connection to Stuttgart, the Nellingen district is easily accessible.