The Renaissance square in Saxon Marienberg, Germany lies in the Ore Mountains just about 12 kilometers from the Czech border, near the Hora Svatého Šebestiána/Reitzenhain crossing. Right here, on the Marktplatz square in front of the town hall, the pre-Christmas season brings around 35 market stalls and a full Advent program. The town is small, so you can explore everything on the square and in the adjacent streets on foot.
If you’re planning a December trip from the Czech side or anywhere in Central Europe, Marienberg is easily accessible and can be combined with other Ore Mountain towns. We’ve put together a practical overview of dates, accommodation, and transport so you can plan your visit without unnecessary searching. For more Advent trip ideas in the region, check out our guide to Christmas markets in Germany.
Summary
- When: the main market on Marktplatz runs November 25–December 20, 2026 (Sun–Thu 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Fri–Sat 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.).
- Admission: entry to the market and the Bergparade is free.
- Getting there from Czech Republic: by car from Chomutov about 35 km (approximately 35 minutes), from Karlovy Vary about 70 km, from Ústí nad Labem about 98 km, and from Prague about 126 km.
- Where to stay: right in the center (Hotel Weißes Roß, Lenes Gasthof), on the hill above town (Berghotel Drei-Brüder-Höhe), or outside town (Landgasthof Wemmer).
- Grand Bergparade: the miners’ parade passes through the center on Sunday December 13, 2026 from 2:00 p.m.
- Offene Höfe: open courtyards and workshops in the town center on Saturday December 12, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Eisarena: the ice rink on the square will operate November 14, 2026–January 3, 2027.
- Local districts: smaller events also take place in Zöblitz (November 27–29, 2026) and the mining village of Pobershau (December 5–6, 2026).
The full destination guide: Germany — guide and what to see
All 2026 Christmas markets: a calendar of dates and tips on markets across Europe
When is the Marienberg Christmas market and opening hours
The main Weihnachtsmarkt Marienberg begins on Wednesday before the first Sunday of Advent and runs November 25–December 20, 2026. You’ll find the stalls right on Marktplatz square in front of the town hall (address Markt 1, 09496 Marienberg). From Sunday through Thursday, vendors are open 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Be careful when planning, as some websites list different dates for the market (November 26–December 21) and shift the open courtyards event to December 13. According to the official city flyer, the correct market dates are November 25–December 20, 2026 and the Offene Höfe open courtyards take place on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
Prices for mulled wine and mug deposits have not yet been published. Admission to the market and the Bergparade is free; verify this at marienberg.de before your visit.
Opening ceremony
The market opening takes place on Marktplatz square. The official opening is on Wednesday November 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
| Market | Dates 2026 | Opening hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Weihnachtsmarkt Marienberg | Nov 25–Dec 20 | Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (opening Nov 25, 6–9 p.m.) | Marktplatz in front of town hall |
| Zöblitzer Weihnachtsmarkt | Nov 27–29 | not published | Zöblitz (district) |
| Pobershauer Bergadvent | Dec 5–6 | not published | Pobershau (district) |
| Offene Höfe im Advent | Dec 12 | 2:00–8:00 p.m. | courtyards in Marienberg center |
| Grand Bergparade | Dec 13 | from 2:00 p.m. | historic center around Marktplatz |
Where to stay in Marienberg and the surrounding area
If you want to spread your Advent trip over two days, the most practical combination is the weekend of December 12–13, 2026. On Saturday, December 12, you can explore the Offene Höfe open courtyards in Marienberg and combine them with the large Saturday parade in nearby Seiffen (at 3:30 p.m.). On Sunday, December 13, you can then continue straight to the grand Bergparade in Marienberg.
When choosing where to stay, you can decide between three areas. It depends on whether you want to be right by the market, in a quieter village, or in a larger neighboring town.
The first option is Marienberg town center itself, which spreads around the Renaissance square. The advantage of staying right in town is that you can walk to both the Christmas market and the Sunday Bergparade on foot.
The second option includes districts like Pobershau and the Marienberg surroundings. These are quiet mining villages where you’ll find more affordable guesthouses than in the center itself. Right in Pobershau, there’s also a local event, Pobershauer Bergadvent, on the weekend of December 5–6, 2026.
The third area for overnight stays is the town of Annaberg-Buchholz, located about 20 kilometers from Marienberg according to the map. You’ll find a wider selection of hotels there. You can combine your stay with the Christmas market there running November 27–December 23, 2026, or with the miners’ parade on December 20, 2026.
In Marienberg and the immediate vicinity, you can stay at these four establishments:
- Hotel Weißes Roß is located at Annaberger Straße 12 in Marienberg near the center and is a town hotel in the Erzgebirgshotels group.
- Berghotel Drei-Brüder-Höhe is located at Drei-Brüder-Höhe 1 on a hill above Marienberg outside the center, so a car is necessary for your stay.
- Lenes Gasthof is at Äußere Wolkensteiner Straße 25 in Marienberg and operates as a guesthouse and gasthof.
- Landgasthof Wemmer (Marienberger Straße 171) is a country inn just outside Marienberg, from which you’ll drive to the market.
💡 On this map you can compare what’s currently available — you’ll immediately see how prices change a few blocks away.
How to get to Marienberg and where to park
Transport to Marienberg is easiest by car from the Czech side, as there is no direct rail connection to the town. All approximate distance and travel time estimates below assume routes without traffic, so check the current situation in Mapy.cz or Google Maps before departure. Once in town, you won’t need a car anymore, as everything takes place on Marktplatz and the adjacent streets, which you can reach on foot.
By car via Hora Sv. Šebestiána
For drivers from northern Czech regions, the route leads through the Hora Svatého Šebestiána/Reitzenhain border crossing, from which it’s about 12 kilometers to Marienberg. From Chomutov, you’ll cover approximately 35 kilometers, which takes about 35 minutes of driving. If you’re leaving from Prague, you’ll take the D7 motorway through Chomutov and Reitzenhain, covering about 126 kilometers total and spending around 1 hour and 45 minutes behind the wheel.
From Ústí nad Labem, the route goes through Most and Chomutov, measuring approximately 98 kilometers and taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Karlovy Vary, the shorter route is through Boží Dar and Oberwiesenthal, about 70 km and approximately 1 h 15 min.
If you were heading to Marienberg from Liberec, count on a route of approximately 236 kilometers and a time of around 2 hours and 50 minutes, so from that direction the trip makes more sense as a weekend getaway. For more nearby destination ideas, check out our article on Christmas markets in Germany near the border.
By public transport
Travel by public transport requires a transfer, as passenger trains do not run regularly directly to Marienberg. The railway line between Pockau-Lengefeld and Marienberg has been without regular passenger service since 2013 and its reactivation is still in the planning phase.
The nearest railway station is Pockau-Lengefeld on the Chemnitz–Olbernhau line. From there, bus No. 492 continues (about 25 minutes). It runs mainly on weekdays; check connections in advance on weekends using DB Navigator.
💡 Tip: Find connections from Pockau-Lengefeld in the DB Navigator app.
Parking
You can park in parking lots around the center. On Bergparade day, arrive early as the center will be closed.
If you need to clarify details about transport or the program before your trip, contact the local information center Tourist-Information Marienberg. You can call +49 3735 602270 (from Germany 03735 602270) or write to info@marienberg.de. Official city information can be found at marienberg.de.
Grand Bergparade on December 13, 2026
The term Bergparade refers to a mining parade in which miners and musicians in traditional costumes march through the town. In Marienberg, this event takes place on the third Sunday of Advent, December 13, 2026, starting at 14:00 in the historic center around Marktplatz square and the town hall.
The parade features hundreds of miners in traditional costumes and musicians. The procession passes through the town center, so expect road closures in the center.
💡 Tip: On Sunday, December 13, 2026, when the Bergparade passes through the center, arrive in Marienberg before noon so you can park before the road closures begin.
Bergparades in the Ore Mountains, Overview
Mining parades take place in several towns in the Saxon Ore Mountains during Advent. If you want to plan a weekend visiting multiple events, the following overview will help you.
| Town | Date 2026 | Starting Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Chemnitz | Saturday, Nov 28 | not specified | |
| Freiberg | Saturday, Dec 5 | not specified | with torches |
| Seiffen | Saturday, Dec 12 | 15:30 | Saturday before Marienberg parade |
| Marienberg | Sunday, Dec 13 | 14:00 | 3rd Sunday of Advent |
| Annaberg-Buchholz | Sunday, Dec 20 | 13:30 | 4th Sunday of Advent |
Advent Program in Marienberg
In addition to stall sales at Marktplatz square and the Sunday mining parade, the Advent program in Marienberg also includes weekend events in the center and in local districts of the town. Concerts at St. Mary’s Church can be found in the town’s official program.
Offene Höfe
On Saturday, December 12, 2026, the Offene Höfe im Advent event (Offene Höfe means open courtyards) takes place in the center of Marienberg. Between 14:00 and 20:00, courtyards and workshops in the town center open to visitors.
This Saturday event can be easily combined with a trip to nearby Seiffen. There, on the same Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 15:30, a grand mining parade takes place.
Pobershauer Bergadvent and Zöblitz
Smaller markets also take place in local districts of Marienberg. On the first Advent weekend, from Friday to Sunday, November 27-29, 2026, a small Zöblitzer Weihnachtsmarkt market is held in the Zöblitz district (opening hours are not published).
On the second Advent weekend, Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, 2026, the Pobershauer Bergadvent follows. This is a mountain Advent in the mining village of Pobershau, which is a local district of Marienberg (hours are also not published).
Ice Arena and Santa in the Square
Right in the square in Marienberg operates an Eisarena, which is an ice rink. It will be open from November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
The skating price is approximately €4 per hour including skate rental, but this information may not be current, so check it before your trip. At the market, Santa appears daily from 16:00.
What to Combine with Your Visit: Annaberg, Seiffen, Chemnitz
Marienberg’s location in the Saxon Ore Mountains makes it easy to combine your market visit with other destinations in the region. You have several other Christmas markets with mining parades within easy reach.
The town of Annaberg-Buchholz is about 20 kilometers from Marienberg and holds its Christmas market from November 27 to December 23, 2026. The Grand Bergparade there takes place on Sunday, December 20, 2026, at 13:30. You can find more details in our separate article about the Annaberg market.
In the town of Seiffen, the Grand Bergparade takes place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 15:30, the day before Marienberg’s Sunday parade. You can read more in our guide to Seiffen.
About 30 kilometers from Marienberg lies Chemnitz, where the Bergparade takes place on Saturday, November 28, 2026. You’ll find more details in our article about Chemnitz.
Another option is the town of Freiberg, where a Bergparade with torches takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
If you’re looking for more Advent inspiration, read our article about Christmas markets in Dresden, or check out the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Christmas markets in Marienberg in 2026?
The main Weihnachtsmarkt Marienberg on Marktplatz square takes place 25 Nov–20 Dec 2026, with the opening ceremony on Wednesday 25 Nov from 18:00 to 21:00. Some websites show a different date (26 Nov–21 Dec), but according to the official town flyer, the correct dates are 25 Nov–20 Dec.
What are the opening hours?
The stalls on Marktplatz are open Sunday to Thursday 11:00–19:00 and Friday and Saturday 11:00–20:00. The opening ceremony on Wednesday 25 Nov 2026 runs from 18:00 to 21:00.
When is the Bergparade in Marienberg?
The big Bergparade in Marienberg takes place on the third Sunday of Advent, 13 Dec 2026 at 14:00 in the historic centre around Marktplatz and the town hall. Expect road closures in the centre.
How far is Marienberg from Chomutov?
From Chomutov, Marienberg is about 35 kilometres by car, and the drive without traffic takes about 35 minutes. The route runs via the Hora Svatého Šebestiána/Reitzenhain border crossing, from which Marienberg is about 12 kilometres.
Is there a train to Marienberg?
There is no regular passenger train service to Marienberg (the line from Pockau-Lengefeld has been without regular passenger service since 2013). The nearest railway station is Pockau-Lengefeld on the Chemnitz–Olbernhau line, from where bus number 492 runs for about 25 minutes (with fewer services at weekends).
Is there an ice rink in Marienberg?
Yes, the Eisarena ice rink operates on the square from 14 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027. Skating costs around €4 per hour including skate hire, though this information may not be current.
Is it worth combining Marienberg with Annaberg or Seiffen?
Yes, over the weekend of 12–13 Dec 2026 you can catch the big parade in Seiffen on Saturday (12 Dec at 15:30) and the Offene Höfe open courtyards in Marienberg, then follow up with the Bergparade in Marienberg on Sunday 13 Dec at 14:00. Annaberg-Buchholz, with its own market and a wider choice of hotels, is about 20 kilometres away.
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