Dresden's Christmas Market is traditionally called Striezelmarkt, it is Germany's oldest Christmas Market with a very long history dating back to 1434. Its name derives from Hefestriezel, a sweet delicacy which centuries later has become know as “Dresden Christstollen” (German Christmas Cake).

The Dresden Christmas Market is located in the historical part of the city centre between the recently rebuilt Frauenkirche and the culinary famous restaurant street of Münzgasse.

Most traditional Christmas gifts, toys and decorations have been invented hundreds of years ago in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), when the supply of ore run out. The Erzgebirge is located only a few kilometres outside Dresden, near the Czech border. Today most of the Christmas Markets in Germany are still being supplied from this region.

The traditional Dresden Christmas Market with its romantic and festive charm is an inspiration in itself, a real treasure trove for real traditional hand made crafts. Every visitor here will find a “little something”: Christmas pyramids, smoking figures and candleholders from Erzgebirge Mountains, indigo-dyed printed textile products and pottery from Lusatia, gingerbread from Pulsnitz, filigree lace products from Plauen, Herrenhut Advent stars, blown glass tree decorations from Lauscha, and of course specialities from Dresden itself, such as the traditional ‘Pflaumentoffel’, a chimney-sweep figure made of dried prunes. Visitors can also watch the carvers, glass-blowers and bakers in action at the crafts market.

The focal point of the Dresden Christmas Market is the world's tallest Christmas pyramid, with a height of 14 metres and the world's biggest nut cracker. The culinary attraction of the market, however, is the Dresden Christstollen, originally known as ‘Striezel’, which accounts for the market’s name.

Event highlights of the Dresden Christmas Market is the Stollen Festival on the Saturday before the second Sunday in Advent (4^th Dec 10) and the Pyramid Festival on the Saturday before the third Sunday in Advent (11^th Dec 10). 

Germany's Florence on the Elbe. Dresden is a city packed and overflowing with culture, architectural treasures and art. The Zwinger, the Frauenkirche, the Semper Opera are all buildings of outstanding beauty.

Dresden is located to the east of Germany, along the banks of the River Elbe. In spite of vast destruction during the Second World War, the city has now been restored to its former glory, as it was under the rule of Augustus the Strong in the 18th century.

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