Dresden Striezelmarkt

Germany's oldest Christmas market has resided in the Saxon provincial capital for more than half a millennium. This year the Dresden Striezelmarkt turns 575 years. Therefore the organizers and dealers had lots of new ideas.

The world's largest usable Christmas arch opened on November 26, 2009. With a breadth of 13.5 metres and a height of more than 5 metres the Christmas arch will enter the Guinness Book of World Records. Visitors will be able to experience the magic of the Christmas atmosphere from high above the Striezelmarkt, and will be able to preserve the moment with a souvenir picture.

Who would not want to steal a look behind the scenes of the traditional stollen preparation or the Erzgebirge art of wood carving? Anyone visiting the Christmas show workshops will have the opportunity to watch the masters of Stollenschutzverband Dresden e.V. as well as the association from the Erzgebirge artisans and Spielzeughersteller e.V. very closely.

The Dresden Striezelmarkt goes well beyond providing tradition and history. It will also appeal to children. With a train, a children's bakery and a nostalgic marry-go-round, the dreams and wishes of even the smallest child can be fulfilled. They will also be able to make things with their own hands in the traditional Pflaumentoffelhaus. Every day at 4:15 p.m. Santa Claus will open a door of the Advent calender, accompanied by puppet theatre. Furthermore, Santa Claus will tell children stories in his traditional Santa Claus House every day.

The entire layout of the Christmas market has been changed as well. The new arrangement of the stalls is based on an analogy to the medieval urban structure, and provides a romantic and comfortable atmosphere to the Dresden Striezelmarkt. Stroll through authentically decorated stalls, enjoy the relaxing and romantic atmosphere as you linger beneath the glow of muted lights, feast your eyes on the intricate Christmas decorations, red tile roofs, and the rustic construction that harkens back to simpler, more idyllic era and pace of life.

Events designed to fill both young and old with holiday ethusiasm will take place daily. And Saxon delicacies like the Dresden stollen or "Striezel" as we call it, will round out a pleasant visit to the Dresden Striezelmarkt.

Drop in and experience a piece of Saxon Christmas history!