{"id":32457,"date":"2026-10-12T19:14:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T17:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dresden-magazin.com\/uncategorized\/weihnachten-in-dresden-und-umgebung\/"},"modified":"2024-03-25T16:55:15","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T15:55:15","slug":"weihnachten-in-dresden-und-umgebung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dresden-magazin.com\/en\/culture\/weihnachten-in-dresden-und-umgebung\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Dresden and surroundings: Our tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Christmas in Dresden \u2013 that is pure festive atmosphere! No less than nine very different Christmas markets turn the Elbe metropolis into a glittering Christmas metropolis throughout December. Wherever you look: Everywhere you look, people are feasting, browsing and laughing. No wonder, the Christmas treats taste extra delicious in the baroque ambience of the state capital. So watch out: Here are our cultural tips for a peaceful Christmas season 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the Dresden Striezelmarkt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can see it from a long: the world’s largest stepped pyramid from the Erzgebirge. It is almost 15 meters high and is located in the middle of the Dresden Striezelmarkt \u2013 and it is only one highlight among many at the largest and most famous Christmas market in Dresden. Also impressive are exquisite products of Saxon craftsmanship: Lausitzer blue printed fabrics, Herrnhuter stars, original Dresden Christmas stollen and wooden art from the Erzgebirge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in the heart of the city, Germany’s oldest Christmas market opens its doors for the 589th time this year. Visitors flock from all over the world to feast and marvel between the Kulturpalast and the Kreuzkirche. Be part of it this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening hours: 29.11. – 24.12.2023, daily 10 – 21 h, 24.12.: 10 – 14 h<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A must for all christmas fans: Weihnachtsfans: The Dresden Striezelmarkt. Image: ddpix.de (DML-BY)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dresden’s Christmas mile has even more to offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advent in Dresden is a holiday full of discoveries. Although the Striezelmarkt is the most famous Christmas market here, it is only one stop on Dresden’s Christmas Mile. It stretches from Dresden’s main train station along Prager Stra\u00dfe, Alt- and Neumarkt to the other side of the Elbe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dresden Christmas markets at a glance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For example, the Dresden Winter Lights<\/a>, the Christmas market along the shopping street, offer a special attraction: amid the festively decorated booths and twinkling lights, children and the young at heart can ice skate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Prager Stra\u00dfe, When: 30.11. – 23.12.2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas Market at the Dresden Frauenkirche<\/a> unfolds romantic Christmas flair in the festively illuminated M\u00fcnzgasse. Traditional crafts and culinary specialties make the hearts of visitors beat faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: M\u00fcnzgasse, When: 29.11. – 24.12.2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a few steps away, you will find the Advent at the Neumarkt<\/a>, where craftsmen and traders bring the time between 1830 and 1920 to life. Not only at Christmas, but also on New Year’s Eve, things are especially quiet and contemplative here: firecrackers and fireworks are prohibited on the entire grounds in front of the Frauenkirche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Neumarkt, When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 23, 2023, and Dec. 27 – Jan. 7, 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within sight of the Frauenkirche, on the piazza at the Residenzschloss, the Romantic Christmas Market at Dresden Castle<\/a> spreads the flair of the late 19th century. Lovingly designed stalls await you with unique gift ideas. A nostalgic children’s carousel will delight the little visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Piazza at the Residenzschloss, When: 30.11. – 24.12.2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jugglers, storytellers and stilt walkers cavort at the Medieval Christmas Market<\/a> in the Stable Yard of the Residenzschloss. Marvel at how unique products are created under the hands of industrious craftsmen using tools and materials from the late Middle Ages. You can buy traditionally made goods at the stalls. After Christmas, on Christmas Day, the scenery changes, because the twelve nights of incense are celebrated in the stable yard in a particularly magical way. Incense is in the air. Fortune tellers and fantastic creatures tempt visitors to risk a glimpse into the future. The festival ends with Epiphany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Dresden Stallhof, When: 27 -30 Dec. 2023 and 02 – 06 Jan. 2024<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brand new: The new Finnish Christmas market Finn Village Dresden<\/a> is located on Postplatz, on the edge of Dresden’s Old Town. On icy days, flaming salmon cooked on an open fire and spicy gl\u00f6gi provide visitors with the necessary warmth. Numerous stalls entice visitors with unique Christmas gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Dresdner Postplatz, When: 30.11. – 31.12.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other side of the Elbe, at the Golden Rider and along the main street greets the Augustusmarkt<\/a>, Dresden’s international Christmas market. It combines regional tradition with international Christmas culture. The Blue Tree with its glowing icicles is an eye-catcher and visitor magnet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On New Year’s Eve, things really get going here! DJs play along the 500-meter-long promenade. Until two o’clock in the morning, the stalls will provide you with food and drinks, and the colorfully illuminated Ferris wheel will spin all night long. A pleasant surprise this year: At midnight, the well-known, beautiful New Year’s Eve fireworks will be set off again at Augustusbr\u00fccke – for the first time in many years and donated by Augustusmarkt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Hauptstra\u00dfe between Neust\u00e4dter Markt and Albertplatz, When: 29.11.2023 – 07.01.2024, (closed on 24. – 26.12.2023 and 01.01.2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can enjoy a particularly romantic atmosphere at the “Elbhangfest Christmas Market<\/a>“. Located at the foot of the Elbe slope in Dresden-Loschwitz, close to the Blue Wonder, you can enjoy a pre-Christmas stroll between historic half-timbered houses and winding alleys. Here you can admire the products of regional artists and craftswomen – and maybe grab a Christmas gift or two. Delicious stollen and background music make a visit to the Christmas market a special experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: K\u00f6rnerplatz, Dresden-Loschwitz, When: 02.12. \u2013 17.12.2023<\/em>\n\nAll Christmas markets and dates at: <\/strong>dresden-weihnachten.info<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advent in Dresden amazes with cultural delights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Christmas markets, numerous concerts, exhibitions and festivals in Dresden and the surrounding area shorten the wait for Christmas. Carried melodies, exciting stories and cherished traditions are guaranteed to get you in the right mood for Christmas. These are our tips for the Advent season in Dresden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stollen Festival <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every year on the Saturday before the second Advent, the Dresden Christstollen is celebrated with a big parade and hundreds of stollen bakers. The joyous celebration of the Stollen Festival<\/a>, with a street parade and lots of delicious stollen to sample, takes place this year on December 9th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas with the Dresden Kreuzchor<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want to experience the famous Dresdner Kreuzchor<\/a> this year, you should definitely go to the Dresdner Kreuzkirche at Christmas time. In addition to the Christmas carol evenings on December 09 and 10, 2023, this year’s Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach is, of course, a real highlight. The three-part oratorio will be performed by the Kreuzchor, soloists and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra from Dec. 15 to 17, 2023 (cantatas 1-3) and on Jan. 13, 2024 (cantatas 4-6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Advent Concert in the Rudolf Harbig Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion you will experience a varied Advent concert<\/a> on 21.12.2023, among others with top soloists and the Dresdner Kreuzchor, the Dresdner Kapellknaben, the children’s choir of the Staatsoperette and the Oh-T\u00d6 \u2013 The musical company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enchanting winter walks in Pillnitz Palace Park and at Wackerbarth Palace<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The former estate of Augustus the Strong, Pillnitz Palace & Park, is once again transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Just in time for the Christmas season, the Christmas Garden Dresden<\/a> invites you on a sparkling winter walk. From 16.11.2023 to 14.01.2024, guests young and old can let themselves be captured by the Christmas atmosphere in the castle park. An approximately two-kilometer-long circular path with impressive illuminations invites visitors to marvel and discover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also a must: a romantic evening at Wackerbarth Castle<\/a>, the first adventure winery in Europe. From November to February, the baroque grounds and vineyards are transformed every evening into a veritable sea of thousands and thousands of lights. Music, good wine and other culinary temptations are not to be missed at the winter event “Wine & Light”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Illuminated “Christmas Garden”, Pillnitz Palace and Park, Image: Daniel Clarke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Experience Dresden from the water: Winter boat trips on the Elbe River<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not on foot, but quite comfortably on the ship it goes over the Elbe on the experience journeys with the white fleet<\/a>. The trip leads from Terrassenufer to Blasewitz, to Pillnitz and back to the starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 27.11. to 20.12.2023, you can take part in the approximately 90-minute castle tour on the historic paddle<\/a> steamer twice a day, Tuesdays to Saturdays. If you feel like it, you can sweeten your trip on board with Christmas stollen and mulled wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 29.11.2023 to 04.01.2024, a decorated saloon ship departs for the evening trip to the Christmas Garden<\/a> from 5 p.m. each day. The ticket price includes a 3-course menu and admission to the Christmas Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 28.11. to 30.12.23, Tuesdays to Thursdays (except on 26.12.), and additionally on 05. to 13.01.2024, it goes in each case from 18:30 clock with the festively decorated salon ship on a winter light trip<\/a> to Pillnitz and back. The Christmas 3-course menu is accompanied live by a pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Wei\u00dfe Flotte” offers three different types of citycruises in December. Image: Wei\u00dfe Flotte Sachsen GmbH<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy the New Year and the winter in a fairytale and cinematic way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At Moritzburg Castle, the original filming location of the Christmas classic “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella,” the winter exhibition<\/a> will open again from Nov. 22, 2023, to Feb. 25, 2024, with background stories about the film and the making of the fairy tale. Also on view are original costumes, recreated film scenes, multimedia productions and, of course, the original film at selected times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Year’s Eve Concerts of the Staatskapelle Dresden<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conductor: Franz Welser-M\u00f6st | Piano: Igor Levit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When: 09.12.2023 – 14.01.2024, Where: <\/em>Staatskapelle Dresden<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Saxonian Orchestra Dresden is one of the world’s leading orchestras. Photo: Matthias Creutziger <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elbe Venetian Carnival: Lust – Passion – Joie de Vivre<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For over 400 years there have been close cultural ties between Venice and Dresden. Augustus the Strong even wanted to architecturally transform his residence into a Saxon Venice, with the Elbe as Canale Grande. Above all, the Venetian Carnival exerted a great fascination, combining Italian joie de vivre and courtly elegance. The Elbe Venetian Carnival<\/a> was first celebrated in Dresden 350 years ago and continued to be so for many decades. Now this idea is being revived and you are cordially invited to immerse yourself in a baroque attitude to life, with your own robe and mask if you wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where: Historic Old Town, When: 09 – 10.02.2024<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n