Dresden Christmas Market Guide

“Dresden; where beauty was invented.” 

Johann Joachim Winckelmann, an art historian and archaeologist, said in 1755

And we couldn’t agree more. 

Except for being a universal symbol of rebirth and reconstruction, the city of Dresden has a multifaceted kind of charm that undoubtedly sweeps visitors’ off their feet.  

But, Christmas time is when Dresden’s fairytale-like aura really comes alive via its gorgeous Christmas markets which offer way more than delicious Glühwein. 

A Brief History of Dresden’s Christmas Markets 

Although other cities usually have one central Christmas market, Dresden has several Christmas markets which are definitely all worth visiting. 

Dresden’s famous Christmas markets are scattered all around the city and are truly magical as well as authentically old. According to historical records, the well-known Dresden Christmas market tradition began with a 1-day market in Altmarkt back in 1434, just before Christmas Eve. 

Nowadays, more than a million travelers from around the globe visit Dresden every year in order to see with their own eyes the city’s fantastic Christmas market scene and experience the xmas spirit to the fullest. 

Dates: Nov 29 – Dec 24, 2023

(for most markets; may vary for each market)

🌟 Where Are Dresden’s Christmas Markets?🎄

Wondering where to find all of Dresden’s Christmas markets? We’ve done a thorough research on your behalf, so, you can sit back and relax!

Keep reading to find out the main locations of Dresden’s Christmas markets, each with its own individual flair!

#1 The Dresdner Striezelmarkt 

The most historical, popular and beloved Christmas market, with over 240 stands offering local products, is the Dresdner Striezelmarkt. The word Striezel, known as Stollen, is a distinctive Dresden Christmas bread, a leavened dough filled with candied and dried fruit covered in icing sugar. 

You can find the Striezelmarkt in a historic square peppered with unique buildings, in the Altmarkt, where you’ll marvel at a giant Christmas tree, a one-of-a-kind Christmas pyramid standing 14 meters tall which got into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1999, and the world’s biggest Christmas arch depicting the city’s mining traditions and folklore. 

#2 The Medieval Market 

Located in the Stallhof, which is part of the city’s former royal palace, is the Medieval Market, an enchanting place where you can find all sorts of Medieval-themed décor, gifts and treats. Special features, such as sellers all dressed up in costumes, wooden fire-heated hot tubs, and sparkling illuminations projected onto the palace’s walls increase the overall magic and make you travel back in time.  

#3 The Romantic Market 

Another worth-visiting Christmas market in Dresden is the Romantic Market, just a brief walk from the Striezelmarkt right in the corner of the Taschenbergpalais. The name itself is a pleasant spoiler-alert for its cozy, romantic and low-key ambience away from the crowds of the Striezelmarkt. 

#4 The Frauenkirche Market 

Combine some Christmas shopping spree with the traditional Christmas market at the Frauenkirche, located on a pedestrianized strip near the Münzgasse church. This little market offers local artisan handicrafts, traditional products like pottery, glassware and lace from the Vogtland region, and even a meeting with… Santa Claus. He makes a daily stop there at 4 PM bearing wonderful gifts for kids who will surely be head over heels to see him in person. 

#5 The Neumarkt 

You’ll find more minimalist, but still beautiful, Christmas market stalls in the Neumarkt part of Dresden. Excellent options for food and other refreshments as well as crafts produced by historical guilds around the Neumarkt area for the past 100 years can be found there while church choirs singing carols are heard. 

#6 The Augustusmarkt 

Located across the river, the Augustusmarkt stands: a Dresden xmas market with an international atmosphere. This market offers products from places all around the world, a historical Ferris wheel, the Nicolaushaus, an actual merry-go-round, and Christmas presents from the Erzgebirge. Right next to the Christmas tree, you’ll find out how Christmas is celebrated in other countries, too.  

#7 The Dresdner Winterlichter  

Looking for extra Christmas market fun in the city center? Visit the Dresdner Winterlichter along Prager Straße. With a lovely selection of regional specialties from Dresden and its surroundings, some gift stalls, a 15 meters tall Christmas tree magically lit, and a musical show every evening, we promise you that you’ll be mesmerized. 

#8 Dresden’s Alpine Magic 

Spread out over more than 2,000 square meters in the middle of the city center, this alpine-themed Christmas market on Postplatz includes 2 restaurants, an alpine hut bar, a café, a children’s playground, and many more surprises.  

#9 The Neustädter Gelichter 

At the core of Neustadt, you can find a creative, eccentric and different-than-the-rest kind of market. With unusual gift ideas, an impressive display of light, stalls selling Schwipsbogen (the Neustadt version of the Christmas arch), locally-grown Christmas trees, handmade jewelry, and delicious refreshments (also, vegan food!), we certainly recommend it.  

#10 The St. Nicholas Market 

Located in Dresden’s hipster neighborhood, Outer Neustadt, and offering musical as well as literary events, this is a contemporary and alternative choice to Dresden’s traditional and classic Christmas markets. Make sure to check it out. 

#11 The Stallhof Advent Festival 

A unique experience takes place in the Dresden Royal Palace during the Stallhof Advent Festival: guild craftsmen/craftswomen present their products in a historical framework, jugglers entertain, unusual culinary delicacies are offered, and you can enjoy a hot bath in one of the two gigantic wooden washtubs there. 

#12 The Elbhangfest Christmas Market 

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, this market near the Blaues Wunder (literally meaning “Blue Wonder”) bridge is one of our top insider’s tips. You can find it in the bucolic village-like suburb of Loschwitz, offering you a cozy and elegant aura along with good food, mulled wine, unique handcrafted gifts, and a high-quality cultural program, as well. It’s a short trip to reach this market, so, make sure that you do!