What visitors can expect at the Dresden Striezelmarkt

In two weeks, the famous Dresden Striezelmarkt will open its doors for the 591st time. According to the organizers, more than 200 stalls await visitors this year. The construction is going according to plan and many things are already ready, said Jan Pratzka, Mayor of Economic Affairs, in Dresden. The pyramid, the Ferris wheel and the Schwippbogen from the Ore Mountains have also already been set up.

What's on the program?

In addition to Saxon handicrafts, there will once again be stollen bakeries, choirs and puppet theater. Children can make smoked candles in the plum potato house, bake cookies in the bakery or listen to stories in the fairytale house.

The oldest Christmas market in Germany traditionally opens with an ecumenical service in the Kreuzkirche and the cutting of the first Dresden Christmas stollen on the Altmarkt. Around 90,000 people are expected every day from 26 November to 24 December.

Postage becomes more expensive

A highlight, according to the organizers, is the Great Mountain Parade on 20 December. More than 500 people in traditional costumes and musicians will take part in the largest parade in the region. The parade marks the end of the mountain parades during the Advent season and is back in Dresden for the first time since 2011.

Also new this year is the fact that deposits will cost five euros instead of four, said Heiko Meyer, Chairman of the Dresden Historic Old Market Association. But there is also good news: "The mulled wine will cost between 4.50 and 5 euros - just like last year," said the trader. 100 grams of roasted almonds are available for 4.50 euros.

Additional streetcar line

The city of Dresden advises people to use public transport during the Advent season. The volume of traffic on Saturdays is up to 20 percent higher. In addition, Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) is again expecting around 730,000 passengers per day - 120,000 more than usual.

On the Advent weekends, visitors can use streetcar line 10 as well as line 20 from Ostragehege to Altmarkt, this time on a slightly different route via Bahnhof Mitte and Maxstraße. Parking will again be available in the flood channel in the Ostragehege, often free of charge.