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Market · Dresden, Saxônia
Dresdner Striezelmarkt
Altmarkt Christmas Market, recorded since 1434 and one of the oldest in Germany. It usually runs from late November until Christmas Eve, featuring Stollen.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Dresdner Striezelmarkt
The Striezelmarkt is Dresden’s Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt), set up every year on the Altmarkt, the old market square, next to the Kreuzkirche. It has been mentioned since 1434, making it one of the oldest in Germany. The name comes from Striezel, the old name for Stollen, the city’s typical fruit-studded Christmas sweet bread.
The market usually runs from late November until Christmas Eve. Stalls sell crafts from the Erzgebirge mountains, such as wooden pyramids, nutcrackers and incense-smoking figures, as well as Stollen, honey cake, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine (Glühwein).
A large wooden Christmas pyramid that turns with candles often stands in the centre of the market. At the beginning of December the city usually holds the Stollenfest, featuring a giant Stollen paraded through the streets and cut at the market.
Outside the Christmas period the Altmarkt hosts other fairs during the year, but the Striezelmarkt is the one that attracts the most visitors.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours.
Best time
On weekdays and in the early afternoon there are fewer people; on Friday and Saturday evenings the market gets very crowded. At dusk, around 4:00 PM in winter, the lights are turned on.
How to get there
It’s on the Altmarkt in the old town. The tram stops at Altmarkt and Prager Straße; it’s a 10-minute walk from the Hauptbahnhof.
Tip
The mulled-wine mug is usually charged separately as a deposit and returned when exchanged. Bring cash for smaller stalls. Watch your belongings in crowded places. Winter is cold—dress warmly.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Dresdner Striezelmarkt
When does the Striezelmarkt take place?
It usually runs from late November until Christmas Eve. Exact dates change each year: check before traveling.
What to buy at the Striezelmarkt?
Dresden Stollen, honey cake (pão de mel), wooden pyramids, nutcrackers and other handcrafted items from the Erzgebirge.
Does the Striezelmarkt get very crowded?
Yes, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. To move around more easily, go on a weekday in the early afternoon.