The Striezelmarkt
Daily 10am-9pm
27th November 4pm-9pm
Until 2pm on Christmas Eve
Dresden features a total of 12 Christmas Markets, with the exception of the famous Striezelmarkt, most Christmas markets in Dresden start on the 28th November 2019.
The most popular markets are:
Augustusmarkt
Sun-Thu 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
Christmas Market at the Frauenkirche
Sun-Thu 10am-9pm
Fri-Sat 10am-10pm
Christmas Market on the Neuenmarkt
Daily 11am-10pm
Winter Lights Christmas Market
Daily 10am-9pm
Middle Ages Christmas Market
up to 6th January 2019
Daily 11am-9.30pm
Closed 24, 25, 26, 31st December & 1st January 2019
Welcome to the
Dresden Christmas Market
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 Striezelmarkt is located on the Altmarkt Square, in the historical city centre. It is surrounded by various themed Christmas Markets, stretching up to the main railway station and the Albertplatz.
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 are the Stollen Festival on the Saturday before the second Sunday in Advent and the Pyramid Festival on the Saturday before the third Sunday in Advent.
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.
Must see's include:
The Frauenkirche which was completely destroyed during WWII and reconstructed in 1996 from a mere pile of rubble and stones. Today the rebuilding of the church's outer shape including the interior cupola finished in June 2004. The exterior cupola, known as the "stone bell”, was finalized in time for Dresden’s 800th anniversary celebrations in 2006.
The Semper Opera House is famous for its lavishly decorated structure and interior. The Semper is one of the most important 19th century theatre buildings in Europe.
The Zwinger Palace is known as the most important late Baroque building in Germany.
The famous Green Vault is Europe’s greatest jewellery collection, a treasure of dazzling display of royal riches, breathtaking diamonds and shimmering jewels.
Beyond Dresden:
Meissen a legendary town for its beautiful production and making of porcelain.
Saxony Switzerland and the sandstone mountains are an unique phenomenon of nature and rock formations, a paradise for walkers and climbers.
Görlitz is an incomparably beautiful example of historical German city design and one of the most complete renaissance old towns in existence.
The 18th and 19th century UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and landscape of the Dresden Elbe Valley extends some 18-km along the river from Übigau Palace and Ostragehege fields in the northwest to the Pillnitz Palace and the Elbe River Island in the southeast.
Next nearest Christmas Markets to Dresden
Christmas Markets in
Cultural Heart
Dresden Top-Rated Hotels
#1
You can't find a better hotel in Dresden. Current and flawless.
#2
Lovely 5 star hotel with all amenities being first class. Indoor pool, sauna on the top floor. Great location in the heart of the rebuilt city.
#3
The room and the staff were excellent. It is right next to all of the museums and historical sites of Dresden
#4
This is a modern, well furnished hotel with top amenities very good service and wonderful location.
Cultural Heart Ticket
Buy a one day German Rail Länder Ticket and you could explore all the Christmas Markets in the state of Cultural Heart for one amazing price of:One passenger: €23Extra person: €4Unlimited travel, one price, through out Cultural Heart (see map above) for up to 5 people, 9 a.m. until 3 a.m. of the following day and on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays from 0a.m. until 3 a.m. Valid on all local trains (Interregio-Express, Regional-Express, Regionalbahn, S-Bahn). Prices quoted are for 2018 ticket machine purchases only.
Travelling to Dresden
From Berlin Airport (193Km)
2 hrs
2 hrs
From Calais (9hrs)
Dresden Attractions
See the sights of Dresden the easy way with a 1-day pass to hop on and hop off a sightseeing bus tour. Choose to take any of 7 further guided tours on the same day.
Head to Meissen, the birthplace of Saxon history. Visit the world-famous porcelain factory before touring the city, dominated by Albrechtsburg Castle and Meissen Cathedral..
Lufthansa is the national airline for Germany, providing a high level of service on all their flights to or from Germany. Daily flights are available to Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Nuremberg or Stuttgart.
Book & Compare Flights to Dresden
Get the best prices with Easyjet, Air Berlin, Lufthansa, BMI, Eurowings or BA. Book and compare all flights and airlines on one site with Expedia.
Find a Hostel in Dresden
Most hostels in Germany provide amazing value for money accommodation. High quality, en-suite, single or double rooms are all commonly available for the budget conscious traveller.
Get a room in Dresden for under €60
A visit to the Dresden Christmas Market doesn't have to break the bank. Hotels.com can offer a range of hotels for under €30 per person, per night
Get a bargain hotel in Dresden with Laterooms.com
LateRooms.com offer a unique vehicle through which hotels across the globe can sell their empty rooms. In order to ensure rooms are filled, hotels are willing to drop their prices - whether this is at the last minute or up to 12 months in advance.
Book a Coach Holiday to Germany
Shearings Holidays is one of the UK's leading specialist tour operators. Shearings' collection includes the very best and most famous Christmas markets in Germany, travelling by coach or by air and embracing a superb selection of Christmas Market river cruises.
Book your flight & hotel together
Build your own holiday package and save with Expedia. Attractive discounts are available when booking a flight & hotel together.
Search for a hotel in Dresden
Book your hotel for the Dresden Christmas Market with Expedia or Hotels.com.Both online reservation services will let you compare and book hotels at great low prices.
