Dresden Striezelmarkt opens for the 591st time

The famous Dresden Striezelmarkt has opened its doors for the 591st time in wintry temperatures and a little snow. In addition to the pyramid, Ferris wheel and candle arch, there are more than 200 stalls this year, according to the organizers. Traditionally, the oldest Christmas market in Germany was opened with an ecumenical church service in the Kreuzkirche and the cutting of the first Dresden Christmas stollen on the Altmarkt.

In addition to Saxon arts and crafts, there will once again be stollen bakeries, choirs and puppet shows. According to the organizers, a highlight is the Great Mountain Parade on 20 December with more than 500 traditional costume wearers and musicians, which is returning to the state capital for the first time since 2011. The city is expecting around 90,000 visitors to the Striezelmarkt every day until 24 December.

Restrictions on road traffic

While Altmarkt and Neumarkt are once again secured with access protection, the security measures at the city's concession markets have also been improved. This has resulted in noticeable traffic restrictions, said Steffen Rietzschel, Head of the Office for Economic Development. To relieve traffic congestion, an additional streetcar line 20 will run from the Ostragehege to the Altmarkt during the Advent weekends, as it did last year.