Dresden Christmas Market 2019: Striezelmarkt
November 27 - December 24
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This year, once more the Dresden Christmas Market, or Striezelmarkt, will take over the Saxon Baroque city for the 585th time. Originating in 1434, Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, and alongside the Vienna Christmas Market, one of the must visit Christmas markets in Europe.
Striezelmarkt and the Stollen Parade
Meaning stollen market – striezel is another word for stollen – the Striezelmarkt will see a giant stollen sliced up and then paraded through town and offered to revellers. 2017’s cake weighed some 2,980 kilograms. This year’s diamond jubille of the Stollenfest falls on 7 December.
This is far removed from Prince Friedrich II’s intentions when he granted a licence for a meat market in 1434, where Dresden’s Altmarkt now sits. Today, there is a range of specialities and traditional goods, including räuchermänner (or smoking men). You can also buy Lausitz pottery, and lebkuchen gingerbread cake from Pulsnitz.
A Guinness Book of Record
Dresden Christmas Market has also made the Guinness Book of Records with the world’s largest Erzgebirge step pyramid. At 14.62 metres tall, it can be seen from afar, alternatively you can buy miniature replicas at the market stalls.
Music at the Dresden Christmas Market
The biggest regular open-air church service is Christmas vespers held in front of Frauenkirche Church on 23 December. On the 15 December singers will perform by the Erzgebirge Pyramid.
When is the Dresden Christmas Market?
Over 230 festively decorated booths invite all guests to a relaxing stroll from 27 November to 24 December.
Dresden is not the only Christmas market in Europe. For one closer to home, hop onto the Eurostar to the iconic Brussels Christmas Market, or for further inspiration read our guide to Christmas Markets in Europe and the UK in 2019.
Accommodation in Dresden
If you are looking for accommodation during the Striezelmarkt, please check out our Hotel Booking Portal. Hotels here are at the same rate as elsewhere, but we make a small commission which helps with the running of this website.
For more ideas on what to do in Dresden
Read Dresden: Castles, Steam Trains and a Mickey Mouse Republic.
More information on the Christmas Market:
If you want further information on the Striezelmarkt, including the precise timing of the stollenfest parade, visit: www.dresden.de/striezelmarkt.
