Dresden Christmas Market (Dresdner Striezelmarkt)
Dresde, Saxony, 01067
Dresden hosts several markets around the holidays, but the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, or Dresden Christmas Market, is the oldest and most popular, dating back to 1434. If you happen to be in the city in December, you can’t miss shopping, eating and drinking, and soaking in the atmosphere at the market. In fact, it’s worth planning a whole Germany trip around visiting.
The basics
If its almost 600-year history weren’t impressive enough, the Dresden Christmas Market is also notable for having the world’s largest German Christmas pyramid, at 48 feet (14.62 meters) high. Visitors can admire it, along with the lights and Christmas trees, while shopping for gifts and souvenirs, eating and drinking seasonal delicacies, and riding the Ferris wheel. It’s one of Germany’s more traditional Christmas markets, and many of the goods for sale are local to the area.
Travelers can visit independently or on guided tours of Dresden’s Christmas markets. Some multi-day tours incorporate the Christmas markets in several German cities, as these are a major seasonal attraction.
Things to know before you go
- Dresden often has snow at this time of year, so be sure to wear shoes suited to slippery, slushy, or fresh snowy conditions.
- Travelers with kids might like to mail a letter to Santa in the mailbox in the market.
- Music and other cultural performances take place daily at the market.
How to get there
The market is held in the Old Market Square (Altmarkt) in the historical center of Dresden. There are many tram and bus stops nearby, and it's best to use public transportation if you’re not staying within walking distance. The market is very popular, so parking will be challenging if you drive yourself.
When to get there
The Dresden Christmas Market runs from late November to Christmas Eve (December 24), from mid-morning until late evening. As the twinkling lights are a major attraction, it’s nice to visit after dark, but this doesn’t mean you have to stay up late—the sun sets at around 4pm in Dresden in the winter. Friday evenings and weekends tend to be busiest.
Other Dresden markets
The Dresden Christmas Market isn’t the only Yuletide market in Dresden—and it’s not even the only one in the historic city center. A “Christmas Mile” extends along Prager Strasse, connecting this market and several others: the Frauenkirche Markets, the Stallhof Advent Festival at Dresden Castle, the Romantic Christmas Market, the Augustusmarkt, and more.
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