Christmas Market in Klosterhof Nellingen
Association-based Christmas Market in the historic Klosterhof Nellingen on the eve of the 2nd Advent
About Klosterhof Christmas Market
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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.
Klosterhof Christmas Market — edition 2026
Schedule for December 5, 2026
The Klosterhof Market is a one-day event — packed between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a clear structure:
1:00 PM — Market Opens
The stalls of schools, kindergartens, associations, and church communities open. Catering stands get to work — mulled wine, bratwurst, and children's punch are available from market opening.
1:30 PM — First Music Group
The Ostfildern Music School kicks off the musical program with a student ensemble.
2:00 PM — Children's Choir of Klosterhofschule
The schoolchildren sing classic Advent songs in the courtyard — usually a well-attended program item.
3:00 PM — St. Nicholas Visit Begins
St. Nicholas appears with Knecht Ruprecht and an elf. They walk through the market, talk to the children, distribute sweets, and answer the typical questions of the little ones.
4:00 PM — Brass Choir of CVJM Nellingen
Classical Advent music with brass instruments — a beautiful moment of atmosphere, often in the main courtyard of the Klosterhof.
5:00 PM — Second Music School Group
Another ensemble from the music school (often strings or classical guitar) performs for the market.
6:00 PM–7:00 PM — Market Wind-Down
The last hour — exhibitors sell their remaining items, mulled wine cups are gradually returned, the program ends with a final small concert.
7:00 PM — Market Closes
Programme Klosterhof Christmas Market 2026
Klosterhof Christmas Market Nellingen 2026 — Program Overview
Saturday, December 5, 2026 — 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- 1:00 PM — Market opens; catering and stalls from schools, kindergartens, associations, and church communities open
- 1:30 PM — Musical opening by an ensemble from the Ostfildern Music School
- 2:00 PM — Children's Choir of Klosterhofschule sings Advent songs
- 3:00 PM — Start of the St. Nicholas Visit with Knecht Ruprecht and elf — accompanying children through the market
- 4:00 PM — Brass Choir of CVJM Nellingen plays classical Advent music
- 5:00 PM — Second music school group (strings or classical guitar)
- 6:00 PM–7:00 PM — Market wind-down with a quiet program
- 7:00 PM — Market closes
Exhibitor Profiles
- Schools (crafts from lessons)
- Kindergartens (creative children's gifts)
- Associations (cookies, candles, wooden decorations)
- Church Communities (nativity scenes, Advent wreaths)
- BDS Members (handcrafted products)
Detailed schedules for musical performances will be updated in late November 2026 at ostfildern.de.
Highlights Klosterhof Christmas Market 2026
- Association-based market in the historic Klosterhof
- Proceeds directly to schools, kindergartens, associations
- St. Nicholas with Knecht Ruprecht and elf from 3 p.m.
- Children's Choir of Klosterhofschule
- Brass Choir of CVJM Nellingen
- Ostfildern Music School
- Free admission, Stadtbahn connection
Prices Klosterhof Christmas Market 2026
Free admission. Mulled wine €4 (deposit €2 per cup), children's punch €2.50, bratwurst €3.50, crêpes €3. Homemade cookies and cakes from €2. Products from exhibitor stalls vary — from €2 (cards) to €30 (handmade wooden crafts).
Practical information — Klosterhof Christmas Market
Getting There
By Stadtbahn (light rail): Take line U7 or U8 from Stuttgart Hbf to Nellingen Klosterhof or Nellingen Hindenburgstraße (25–30 minutes), then a 3–5 minute walk to Klosterhof 10. By car: Take the A8 motorway, exit Esslingen-Mettingen, then follow signs for Nellingen. Parking around Klosterhof is limited — Stadtbahn is recommended.
Opening Hours
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 1 p.m.–7 p.m.
Admission
Free admission. Mulled wine €4 (deposit €2 per cup), children's punch €2.50, bratwurst €3.50, crêpes €3. Homemade cookies and cakes from €2.
Tip
Use the Stadtbahn — the Klosterhof area gets busy on market day; parking is scarce. Families with children: St. Nicholas typically visits between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Klosterhof Christmas Market al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Klosterhof Christmas Market
Historischer Klosterhof Nellingen
Klosterhof 10, 73760 Ostfildern