Are you looking for delightful Christmas markets in Dresden, Germany, that can bring you some of that yuletide cheer? Then you will enjoy this list we have put together. Not only is Dresden a beautiful city, but it also features several charming quintessential Christmas markets. There are also several Airbnb rentals and hotels you can rent to lengthen your stay in Dresden. The Christmas markets are unique yet so similar in the fun and excitement that they offer to tourists and travelers. Each one is as interesting as the next that you will have trouble deciding which to visit! There is nothing like wandering around magical snowy holiday fairs, drinking hot chocolate, buying wooden toys and handcrafted objects, and singing along to beautiful carols. Here are the top Christmas markets in Dresden, Germany.
Upcoming events:
- Music lovers should stop by the city in the summer to attend Dresdner Musikfestspiele, one of the largest music festivals in Europe. Watch performances by internationally acclaimed artists between May and June every year.
- If watching movies under the stars is more your thing, I recommend buying tickets to Filmnächte am Elbufer by Filmnächte, the largest open-air stage for cinema and concerts in the country. Held on the banks of the Elbe, the festival lasts from June to August.
Winter in Dresden:
- According to Weather Atlas, winter in Dresden is from December to February. Temperatures drop to around -3°C (26.6°F) with moderate to high snowfall.
Christmas traditions in Germany
Christmas is always lively in Germany, with people from all faiths coming together to enjoy the season. According to deutschland.de, some of the country’s Christmas traditions are:
- Putting up and decorating a Christmas tree
- Singing or playing music together
- Serving simple dishes such as potato salad with sausages on Christmas Eve
- Enjoying potato dumplings and red cabbage with loved ones on the first or second day of Christmas
When spending Christmas in Dresden, one of the best things to do is visit one of the many Christmas markets in the city. If you’re wondering what to expect in a Christmas market, check out our detailed guide.
Christmas markets in Dresden
1. Augustusmarkt
Augustusmarkt lies on the right side of Elbe in Dresden and features a wide variety of things to keep you in the Christmas spirit. It spans Neustadter Markt down to Dreifaltigkeitskirche. Here you will find several German foods, most of which are local and traditional. I can’t wait to gorge myself on these some day!
In addition, this festive market showcases local arts and crafts. You can get a taste of delicacies from different parts of Europe as well. As the venue is on Hauptstrasse, you can walk down the riverfront and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area.
Augustusmarkt
Address: Hauptstraße, 01097 Dresden, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website for Augustusmarkt
Website: Augustusmarkt
Market highlights: Blue tree with dripping icicles, Christmas rooms to sit in, Thuringian sausage, Saxon butter pancakes
Stay here: Budget - Amazing apartment DD Neustadt with Balcony; Luxury - Relais & Châteaux Bülow Palais
2. Dresden Striezelmarkt
This Christmas market is traditionally referred to as Striezelmarkt. Founded in 1434, the Striezelmarkt in Dresden is considered as the first genuine Christmas market in the world. The name is derived from hefestriezel, a delicious delicacy that is now referred to as the German Christmas cake. Striezelmarkt is the oldest Christmas market in Germany and is the inspiration for several of the Christmas markets around the country.
It is held on Altmarkt Square, which is the city center. There are several things to see here, but perhaps the most famous is the Christmas arch. Aside from that, there are delicacies to enjoy, including the previously mentioned German Christmas cake. As the oldest and largest of its kind in the region, this holiday attraction offers a fun traditional experience.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Address: Altmarkt, 01067 Dresden, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website for Dresden Striezelmarkt
Website: Dresden Striezelmarkt
Market highlights: Plum potato, free daily Christmas cultural program, historic Ferris wheel
Stay here: Budget - ibis budget Dresden City; Luxury - Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Most likely the best Christmas market i have been to. There are a variety of food and beverage stalls and also stalls selling dry goods. I particularly liked the atmosphere and the decoration of each stall especially in the top. We were interested in taking the ferris wheel however there was a queue even when it costs €5” - by Google reviewer, louise chan
Dresden Tour Guide
Asaf Leshem
My name is Asaf and I am a professional tour guide. I hold a Ph.D. in Dark Tourism and interpretation of history. In Berlin I guide tours on such topics as the Cold War, the Third Reich, Berlin's Jewish Heritage, Berlin and Brandenburg's Prussian History, and more. I also guide in Potsdam, and I am certified to guide in the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen. I am also an enthusiastic runner a... Read more
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3. Mittelalter-Weihnacht
If you crave a medieval Christmas market experience, then Mittelalter-Weihnacht is an excellent place to be. It is held right in the courtyard of Dresden’s Royal Palace and offers a truly remarkable atmosphere with plenty of food and drinks available.
The shops are stocked with different goods and stuff to buy. The fun ambiance is enhanced by the presence of several artists who play minstrels and jesters to fit with the medieval feel of the event. I highly recommend spending time drinking mulled wine and hot chocolate. If those aren’t enough to lift your spirits, you can always dip into any of the tubs that are found in the public bathhouse.
Mittelalter-Weihnacht
Address: Augustusstraße 1, 01067 Dresden, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website for Mittelalter-Weihnacht
Website: Mittelalter-Weihnacht
Market highlights: “Bath in the crowd” (wooden hot tub for up to six people), juggler or musician for personal entertainment, mulled wine
Stay here: Budget - ibis budget Dresden City; Luxury - Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“We wanted to see the Stallhof and were surprised to see a medieval Christmas market in the middle. Extraordinary beautiful and great flair. We loved it” - by Google reviewer, Christèle Kremp-Voinova
4. Dresden Winter Lights Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Dresden Winter Lights Market is the most recognizable Christmas marketplace in Dresden. It is held in one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. The main attraction of this market is the giant 15-meter-high (50-foot) Christmas tree. Aside from this, you will find hundreds of lights illuminating the venue. It truly lives up to its name. The stalls that line the streets also offer a distraction from pre-Christmas stress. They offer some of the best local arts and serve delicious local food. Come and lose yourself in this collection of lights and sounds at Dresden Winter Lights Market.
Dresden Winter Lights Market
Address: Prager Strasse, Dresden, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website for Dresden Winter Lights Market
Website: Dresden Winter Lights Market
Market highlights: Two rustic merry-go-rounds for kids, ice rink, stalls selling regional specialties
Stay here: Budget - Amedia Dresden Elbpromenade, Trademark Collection by Wyndham; Luxury - Relais & Châteaux Bülow Palais
5. Christmas Market at Frauenkirche
This Dresden Christmas market at Frauenkirche lies just outside the shops and restaurants of the area around Frauenkirche Church. The market offers a beautiful sight of the historic town of Dresden. Come and enjoy a romantic evening here with your special someone. You can take a stroll along the streets lined with festive stalls. There are several arts and crafts on display, along with various cuisines and drinks. This small fair is excellent when shopping for traditional crafts objects, including pottery and glass art. A major attraction is the 8-meter-tall (26-foot) pyramid decorated with carved pictures. You can pose for some truly memorable pictures and have a great time.
Christmas Market at Frauenkirche
Address: Münzgasse 10, 01067 Dresden
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please check out the official website for Weihnachtsmarkt
Website: Christmas Market at Frauenkirche
Market highlights: Dresden Christmas Stollen, carved wooden figures, Czech Baumstriezel (chimney cake), stuffed baked apples
Stay here: Budget - Sweet Home Inside Dresden Rooms; Luxury - Gewandhaus Dresden, Autograph Collection
6. Christmas Market on Neumarkt
Neumarkt is set right in front of the gorgeous Frauenkirche. It is a beautiful historic market replete with works of art, so you can buy little crafted objects for Christmas. Some of the artisans found here belong to several guilds—bagmakers, bellfounders, and watchmakers. The stalls are also renowned for attracting the best chocolatiers, engravers, and writers in the region. You can enjoy various sights as you go about picking objects or getting inscriptions. There are events as well, and they often start at night, so you can watch while dining on some of the finest local food and drinks.
Christmas Market on Neumarkt
Address: Neumarkt, Dresden, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit [the official website for Christmas Market on Neumarkt
Website: Christmas Market on Neumarkt
Market highlights: Handicraft stalls, eggnog, exclusive anniversary mug
Stay here: Budget - Sweet Home Inside Dresden Rooms; Luxury - Gewandhaus Dresden, Autograph Collection
Enjoy the best of the season
Dresden is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. However, it is especially lovely during the yuletide season. The wonderful, festive atmosphere pervades the entire city. Get into the holiday mood and visit any of the several Christmas fairs in town. Whether you are looking for traditional gifts, delicious food, or mulled wine—or just looking to have beautiful memories—the Christmas markets in Dresden have something for you!
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