Experience Christmas in Saxony | railtour travel blog
As the days grow shorter and the scent of mulled wine, Stollen and incense candles fills the historic old towns, Saxony takes on a particularly festive atmosphere. From Dresden’s decorated streets and traditional miners’ parades in the Ore Mountains to Christmas markets at romantic castles and palaces, Advent is a special time to visit.
Where Christmas feels at home
Few regions are as closely associated with Christmas as the Ore Mountains. Glowing candle arches, intricate Christmas pyramids, smoking figures and nutcrackers are a familiar sight in snow-covered villages and towns. Miners’ parades, traditional miners’ gatherings and Christmas markets keep the region’s mining heritage alive. To delve deeper, visit demonstration workshops or museums in Seiffen, Annaberg-Buchholz or Olbernhau and see how traditional Ore Mountain folk art is made.
Striezelmarkt and Dresdner Christstollen
A visit to Saxony during Advent would not be complete without a stop in Dresden. The Dresden Striezelmarkt is regarded as Germany’s oldest Christmas market and has attracted visitors for centuries with traditional crafts, a festive atmosphere and the famous Dresdner Christstollen. One particular highlight is the Stollen Festival, which celebrates the region’s long baking tradition. Visitors can also learn more about how this famous Christmas speciality is made in Dresden.
Herrnhut stars and Pfefferkuchen
Herrnhut stars are among the best-known symbols of Christmas in Saxony. They have been made in Upper Lusatia for more than 160 years and today illuminate homes, Christmas markets and streets around the world. At the demonstration workshop in Herrnhut, visitors can see how the stars are made. Pulsnitz Pfefferkuchen are another integral part of Saxony’s Christmas culture. Family businesses with a long tradition have preserved the craft for centuries and offer an insight into the secrets of this regional baking tradition.
The most beautiful Christmas markets
From Dresden’s traditional Striezelmarkt and the Silesian Christmas Market in Görlitz to the festively decorated old towns of Leipzig, Meissen and Bautzen, Saxony’s Christmas markets offer a wide variety of ways to enjoy Advent. Historic castles and palaces provide particularly atmospheric settings, including Königstein Fortress, Moritzburg Castle and Weesenstein Castle, where historic surroundings meet the spirit of Christmas.
