Germany has so many wonderful Christmas markets, but if I had to choose the very best, it would be Dresden. You can’t beat the incredible beauty of the city’s baroque Old Town with the rebuilt Frauenkirche, Brühl’s Terraces, the Opera and the incredible Zwinger.
In this guide, I share the confirmed market dates and opening times for 2025.
Dresden Christmas Market 2025
Dates – Confirmed
Dresden dates: 26th November to 24th December 2025 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in January. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the City of Dresden.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Striezelmarkt is located at Altmarkt. There are at least 10 other markets.
Opening times: 10am to 9pm.
27th November: 4pm to 9pm.
24th December: 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
After Christmas: Neumarkt, Augustusmarkt and the Stallhof continue until the beginning of January.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Dresden Advent tour is a city tour which stops at three markets plus you get to try the famous Dresden stollen and drink mulled wine.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Dresden weather in winter: Temperatures average 5°C / 0°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Townhouse Dresden, located in the absolute heart of the Altstadt next to the Frauenkirche.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Lights: Switch on date: 26th November.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: The Striezelmarkt is the oldest Christmas market in Germany. Dresden is one of the most affordable cities in Germany.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: Dresden stollen sweet bread, hot cider instead of mulled wine and Dresden rahmklecks.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
In Dresden, you’ll want to stay in the Altstadt to easily access all the events and the most interesting city sights. This is why I suggest staying at Townhouse Dresden.
Townhouse Dresden is located in the absolute centre of Altstadt, directly on Neumarkt, which is the location of one of the most popular markets, and a short walk to Striezelmarkt.
If you’d prefer to stay elsewhere, this guide to hotels in Dresden lists the city’s best options for all budgets.
Recommended Tours
I suggest taking this city tour of Dresden, particularly if this is your first time visiting, as it covers all the highlights.
On a typical city tour, you’ll visit Dresden’s iconic landmarks and attractions, such as the incredible Procession of Princes mural, the Semperoper (Opera House), and the impressive Frauenkirche, which was destroyed during WWII but rebuilt after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Otherwise, this dedicated Christmas Market Tour might be a good choice if you’re particularly interested in Dresden’s market history and want to experience it with a guide.
Striezelmarkt Location
List of Popular Markets
I believe Dresden deserves a top spot on this German Christmas Markets List, but there are many other places to go. Read the list to find out where.
- Striezelmarkt – As Germany’s oldest and most visited Christmas market, Striezelmarkt entices visitors with historic setting, gift options and an interesting blend of traditional and contemporary food. With kid-friendly rides and adult attractions, this market has something for everyone to enjoy.
- Münzgasse – Set against the stunning backdrop of the pale-domed Frauenkirche, this traditional market lines the narrow Münzgasse from late November until Christmas Eve, offering a picturesque setting as you walk from Neumarkt down towards Brühl’s Terrace.
- Advent at Neumarkt – Located in front of the Frauenkirche, Advent at Neumarkt fills the entire cobblestone pedestrian square until 23rd December. This market showcases artisanal crafts and delicious culinary specialties around the central decorated tree.
- Augustus Market – Venture across the river to the modern Neustadt district, where the event takes place at Albertplatz. Cross the historic Augustus Bridge and head towards the Ferris wheel to discover the vibrant atmosphere.
- Stallhof Advent Festival – A traditional artisan crafts market is within the walls of the Dresden Royal Palace at Schlossplatz.
- Postplatz Alpine Huts – This adults-only evening market has an après-ski atmosphere and specialises in hot drinks, mulled wine, hot cider and socialising.
- Neustädter Gelichter – This alternative event across the river in Neustadt features locally made gifts, jewellery, and vegan and vegetarian food options.
- Romantic Christmas – This market focuses less on tradition and more on festive decorations. It’s held in the courtyard of the Taschenbergpalais in the heart of the historic quarter.
- St Nicholas Market – Located in Outer Neustadt, Dresden’s trendy neighbourhood, this modern alternative offers a contemporary twist on classic festive celebrations and shopping.
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
What to Expect
Stepping into Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, you’ll join centuries of tradition at what is probably the oldest in Europe and one of the largest in Germany. Striezelmarkt is the main event, but many others exist in the Old Town and throughout the city.
My favourites are in front of the Frauenkirche, the surrounding streets at Münzgasse, and the small market in the courtyard of Taschenbergpalais, just across from the fantastic Green Vault and the Zwinger.
Dresden’s rich history and diverse selection of markets are why I recommend it as a winter destination.
Regional Specialties
- Dresdner Stollen: A specialty originating in Dresden, this fruit cake is made with dried fruits, nuts, and spices.
- Lebkuchen: German gingerbread-style cookies come in various shapes and flavours, often adorned with icing or chocolate.
- Spekulatius: Aromatic spiced biscuits, traditionally shaped into Christmas or winter scenes.
- Quarkkeulchen: Sweet, fried dumplings are made with quark, a type of fresh cheese, and are often served with fruit compote or cinnamon sugar.
At the Food Stalls
- Glühwein: Warm up with this spiced mulled wine, a quintessential winter drink served hot to fend off the winter chill.
- Bratwurst: Sizzling on the grill, these classic German sausages are hugely popular and typically enjoyed in a bread roll with mustard.
- Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen: Discover these gingerbread-like cookies from the nearby town of Pulsnitz.
- Eierschecke: Try to find this traditional Saxon cheesecake, which is layered with quark, often sprinkled with raisins, and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Schokoladen-Früchte: Indulge in a selection of chocolate-dipped fruits. You can usually find strawberries or bananas, but many other fruits are also available.
- Flammkuchen: Originating from the Alsace region of France, these thin, crispy pizza-like flatbreads are topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon, or vegetarian versions.
- Roasted chestnuts: Enjoy the simple pleasure of warm, roasted chestnuts from street carts.
What to Buy
- Ornaments: Adorn your tree with unique, locally-made ornaments for your tree. These make a great souvenir from your trip.
- Wooden toys: Give the young ones in your life traditional wooden toys.
- Pottery: Browse through the stalls selling famous Saxon pottery.
- Dresden lace: The products are known for their intricate, delicate designs and quality materials.
- Saxon wines: Bring home a taste of the region with local Saxon wines that reflect the area’s unique terroir and winemaking traditions.
Sustainability Tips
- Public transport: Dresden has an extensive public transport network, including trams, buses and S-Bahn trains.
- Rent a bike or walk: Explore leisurely by renting a bike or simply walking. Even in winter, this is a convenient way to get around.
- Eco-friendly hotels: Choose a hotel that uses renewable energy sources.
- Eat local and seasonal: Support local food producers by choosing local and seasonal produce.
- Reduce food waste: Be mindful of portion sizes and order only what you can eat, or consider sharing dishes with your travel companions to minimise food waste.
- Carry reusable items: Bring your own water bottle, shopping bag, and cutlery to reduce your use of single-use plastics during your visit. You might notice that some of the plates and bowls at the markets are edible or compostable.
- Support ethical businesses: Seek out local artisans and vendors who follow ethical practices, promoting fair wages and sustainable materials in their products.
If you have visited Dresden in winter or want to leave a review of the Xmas Market, please comment below. This will help others interested in visiting and planning their holidays.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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