Dresden, Germany: When and Where to Visit Christmas Markets

If you like Christmas markets, but you don’t like to go only to Vienna or to Nuremberg go to Dresden. In our article, you can find out where the best Christmas markets in Dresden are, what to buy and the best places to park.

Letošní vánoční trhy opravdu stojí za to, však v roce 2025 slaví neuvěřitelných 591 let existence.

Vánoční trhy Drážďany 2024: Historie a tradice

Dresden’s Christmas market, known as the Striezelmarkt, is deeply rooted in the city’s history and evokes the traditional atmosphere of Advent.

The history of the Christmas market dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Saxon Elector Friedrich II and his brother Duke Sigismund allowed the market to take place in 1434. This market is held on the Altmarkt.

Despite its long history, the Christmas markets retain the spirit of the original Christmas market tradition, of which the Germans are duly proud.

TIP: Vánoční trhy Drážďany – zájezd: po vánočních trzích v Německu jezdí nejrůznější zájezdy, mrkněte se na nabídku Invia.

Od kdy do kdy se konají vánoční trhy v Drážďanech: Otevírací doba

From when to when are the Christmas markets in Dresden:

• Vánoční trhy začínají 26. listopadu a končí na Štědrý den 24. prosince. Některé z trhů se konají až do 6. ledna.

Opening hours:

• The markets are open daily from 10:00 to 21:00.
• On Christmas Eve it is open from 10:00 to 14:00.

Where to find the best Christmas markets in Dresden

Adventní trhy v Drážďanech se nekonají jen na zmiňovaném Altmarktu Najdete je prakticky po celých Drážďanech, některé jsou menší, jiné větší, romantičtější, modernější nebo tradičnější.

Adventní trhy v Drážďanech mají bohatou tradici a staly se jednou z top destinací pro milovníky vánoční atmosféry nejen z Česka.

Mohlo by se vám líbit: Vánoční trhy Annaberg

How long to go to Dresden for the Christmas market?

Although a full day is all you need for the Christmas market, we recommend going for a weekend, as you can also attend the concerts, experience the magical Christmas atmosphere of the evening markets and perhaps book an Advent dinner cruise (more information below).

Mimo to můžete v Drážďanech i nakoupit vánoční dárky nebo si nakoupit některé potraviny, které jsou v Německu levnější.

TIP: Nezapomeňte na cestovní pojištění, mohlo by se vám hodit například SafetyWing.

Where to stay in Dresden: Tips for the best hotels

Stay in the centre so you don’t have to worry about transport to your hotel in the evening. One of the best hotels is Hotel Suitess but it’s often booked up. If it’s booked, check Townhouse Dresden for availability .

The best Christmas market in Dresden is the Striezelmark

We’ve already mentioned the Altmarkt, where Dresden’s most famous Christmas market takes place, called Striezelmarkt . As mentioned above, this market has a long tradition going back almost 600 years. That’s why you should definitely not miss it.

It is somewhat busy, but it is also the largest and most famous market in Dresden, regularly attracting three million visitors.

Here you will find a wide range of Christmas decorations and gifts, from classic carvings from the Vogtland to modern designer pieces. The cultural programme of the market is full of live performances and activities for children every day, including the arrival of Father Christmas.

• Období: 26.11. – 24.12.2025
• Otevřeno: 10:00-21:00, první den od 16:30, 24.12. do 14:00
• Location.
• Transport: tram 8, 11 to Prager Str. or by tram 3, 7 to Pirnaischer Pl.
• Admission: free
• Web: Striezelmarkt

Neumarkt – Dresden’s less commercial Advent market

On the Neumarkt, located in close proximity to the famous Frauenkirche, you’ll find Dresden’s intimate Christmas market, which offers an authentic and less commercial atmosphere. They are ideal for those looking for something a little different, but still representative of Saxony.

Here you will find handmade products and authentic Christmas decorations. These markets are known for their pleasant and quieter environment compared to the bustling Striezelmarkt.

• Období: 26.11.2025 – 5.1.2026
• Otevřeno: 11:00-22:00, v den ukončení 11:00–18:00, svátky zavřeno
• Place: the Neumarkt Square
• Transport: tram 3, 7 to Pirnaischer Pl.
• Admission: free
• Web: Advent auf dem Neumarkt

Stallhof and medieval celebrations

The Stallhof, once part of the Ducal Court, is transformed into a place full of medieval celebrations during Advent. People don’t just come here for the Christmas goods, but mainly for the knights, the fire show and the historical and musical performances. Children love these markets.

• Období: 26.11.2025 – 23.12.2025
• Otevřeno: 11:00-21:30, poslední den do 18:30, svátky zavřeno
• Location.
• Transport: tram 8, 11 to Theaterplatz.
• Admission: free Monday to Thursday, otherwise 4 EUR
• Web: Medieval Market Stallhof

Christmas Market at the Frauenkirche

If you love a romantic atmosphere full of the smell of punch and Christmas goodies, then you shouldn’t miss the market at the Frauenkirche. The experience of arts and crafts and traditional delicacies is guaranteed.

• Období: 26.11. – 24.12.2025
• Otevřeno: 10:00-21:00, pátek a sobota do 22:00
• Place: Münzgasse
• Transport: tram 8, 11 to Theaterplatz.
• Admission: free
• Web: Christmas magic at the Frauenkirche

Romantic Christmas market at the castle

Even in the smallest of Dresden’s markets, a piece of Christmas magic can be found. Their ice rink offers a unique opportunity for winter fun.

• Období: 28.11. – 24.12.2025
• Open: 10:00-20:00, weekends until 21:00
• Place: the square by the Rezidenzschloss
• Transport: tram 8, 11 to Postplatz.
• Admission: free
• Web: Romantic market at the castle

Modern Christmas Market Augustusmarkt

Christmas market Augustusmarkt is the second largest Christmas market in the city, but it’s a bit different from the traditional ones we’ve introduced above. They try to present Advent markets in a modern spirit.

So it has a fresh and very modern design and the approach to food is very progressive. This place is a real paradise for lovers of good gastronomy and street food.

You’ll find the Blue Tree in the middle of the market, the glowing Christmas firs on Gomondai-Platz and the giant Ferris wheel by the Goldener Reiter statue, which offers a fantastic view of the historic city centre.

In 2023, the market is open from 29. November to 7. January 2024, except for December 24-26 and January 1, it will be closed. .

• Období: 26.11. – 4.1.2026
• Open: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 – 21:00 Friday: 11:00 – 22:00 Saturday: 10:00 – 22:00 Sunday: 10:00 – 21:00
• Place: the Inneren Neustadt in Dresden
• Transport: tram 8, 11 to Postplatz.
• Admission: free
• Web: Augustusmarkt

What to buy at the markets in Dresden: Food, drinks and souvenirs and gifts

Na vánočních trzích v Drážďanech najdete samozřejmě mnoho pochoutek, které jsou i na adventních trzích u nás v Česku. Není se čemu divit, však máme podobnou tradici. Můžete ale posoudit, kdo to má lepší.😁 Co ochutnat tradičního v Drážďanech:

• Boiled wine (svodka) and punch, although we know it from us, but when it’s cold, it’s also time to see if the Germans can do it better than us. 😉
• Stollen, the German word for stollen, is a kind of baked Christmas dessert. For example, dried fruit and nuts are baked inside and the top of the tart is sprinkled with icing sugar. There are different variations of Stollen, including Marzipanstollen, which contains marzipan, or Christstollen, a special Christmas version. Stollen is not only popular at Christmas markets, but is also often given as a Christmas gift and is part of traditional Christmas celebrations in many German households.
• Pflaumentoffel, figurines made of marzipan or baked plums, which symbolize good luck.
• Lebkuchen: German gingerbread, often decorated with almonds, chocolate or sugar coating.
• Pfeffernüsse: It is similar to gingerbread, a candy that is very spicy and, unlike gingerbread, coated in sugar.
• Zimtstern: Cinnamon stars, which are a popular Christmas candy, especially for their distinctive cinnamon flavor and soft texture.
• Vanillekipferl: That’s right, vanilla rolls originate from Austria, but they are known throughout the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and are also famous in Bavaria. In Germany, that is.
• Bratwurst: grilled German sausages, often served with mustard and bread.
• Glühwein: A hot spicy wine, ideal for warming up on cold winter days.
• Reibekuchen: German potato pancakes, usually served with apple compote or sour cream.
• Schweinshax: Roast pork knuckle, often served with potatoes or cabbage.
• Flammkuchen: A thin and crispy pizza-like dish with various fillings including bacon, onions and cream.
• Heiße Maronen: Hot roasted chestnuts, a popular street food at Christmas markets.

What to buy at the Christmas markets in Dresden

At the Christmas markets in Dresden you can buy:

• Keramické výrobky – vánoční ozdoby, hrnky a talíře.
• Dřevěné hračky – puzzle, figurky a vánoční betlémy.
• Skleněné ozdoby – ručně malované baňky a zvonky.
• Textilní zboží – ručně šitý zimní oblečení a doplňky.

Tips for other activities in Dresden during Advent

Stay overnight in Dresden and treat yourself and your loved one to a romantic Advent evening and take an evening boat cruise on the Elbe River with dinner. You can easily book this experience via GetYourGuide.

How to get to Dresden for the Christmas markets

Have we enticed you to go to Dresden for the Christmas market? But how to get here? The easiest way is by car or bus from Prague. There are also Advent tours if you are afraid to travel alone. These can be found, for example, on the Invia portal .

By bus or by car?

If you live in Prague or have a short drive to Prague, the easiest way is to take the Flixbus. If you drive your own car, it will be more convenient, but you will have to deal with parking.

Vánoční trhy Drážďany: Kde parkovat

When planning a trip to Dresden, where to park can be a key question for motorists. Dresden is divided into three parking zones, and on-street parking is always charged, even in the outskirts of the city. It’s easy to pay for on-street parking, either at the machines, where you can pay with cash or card, or in some places via the Easypay or PayByPhone mobile apps.

In the centre of the city, in concessionary zone I, there is a charge of EUR 1 per 20 minutes with no daily limit. In zones II and III, the prices are lower, EUR 0.50 for 15 minutes with a daily limit of EUR 8 for zone II and EUR 6 for zone III. There is often a shortage of parking spaces in the centre, which can be stressful. It is also important to note that on-street parking is charged even on weekends.

For those looking for free parking, P+R car parks are available at public transport stops. A current list of these car parks can be found on the VVO website(www.vvo-online.de). Coming from Ústí nad Labem, the nearest P+R car park is in Heidenau, but with a higher fare to the centre.

In addition, a large P+R Messe car park with a capacity for 800 cars opens at the Dresden Exhibition Centre during the Christmas market, from where the main Christmas markets can be easily accessed.

Recommended P+R car parks include:

• P+R Prohlis: With a capacity of 67 seats, 25 minutes to the centre by trams 1, 9 and 13.
• P+R Reick: 21 seats, less than 5 minutes by S2 train to the city centre.
• P+R Gompitz and Pennrich: Both with a capacity of around 45 seats, 25 minutes to the centre by tram 7.
• P+R Kaditz: Capacity of almost 200 seats, 15 minutes to the centre by trams 9 and 13.
• P+R Messe: Large car park for 800 cars during the Christmas market.

Safe parking in garages

For those who, like us, prefer the convenience of having a car close to the centre, Dresden offers several parking options in garages. These garages are located throughout the city centre and offer a range of price options, from the more affordable to the more expensive ones located right in the centre.

• WÖRHL/Florentinum: EUR 1.50/hour or EUR 15/day, close to the centre.
• Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof: Same price, 10 minutes walk from the centre.
• Altmarkt-Galerie: 1,50 EUR/hour, after the third hour 2 EUR/hour, 20 EUR per day.
• Gallery Centre: 2 EUR/hr, 12 EUR per day, close to Altmarkt.
• Parkplatz Ostra-Ufer: 0,10 EUR/10 minutes, max. 5 EUR per day, near Dresden-Mitte train station.
• Wiener Platz/Hauptbahnhof: EUR 2/hour, EUR 16 per day, at the main station.
• Parkplatz Strehlener Strasse: 0,10 EUR/10 minutes, max. 5 EUR per day, on the southern edge of the centre.

A complete list of parking lots and garages can be found on the city’s official website at www.dresden.de.

Cultural programme in Dresden during Advent

Stejně jako v každém městě i v Drážďanech se koná řada adventních koncertů během vánočního období. Vánoční hudba zní z mnoha míst, od katedrál po menší kaple. Pokud byste zůstávali přes noc v Drážďanech, mrkněte na koncerty v Kulturpalastu, kde během prosince vystupují renomovaní umělci a světově uznávané orchestry.

Adventní trhy Drážďany: Ceny na trzích

Ceny na vánočních trzích bývají rok od roku o něco vyšší, a to platí nejen v Česku, ale i v Německu. Při návštěvě si proto připravte větší rozpočet, ale věřte, že to bude stát za to. Čeká vás jedinečný gurmánský zážitek, ručně vyráběné dekorace, nádherné řemeslné výrobky a skvělé dárky na Vánoce.

Platba kartou je u většiny stánků možná, ale doporučujeme mít s sebou i hotovost. Pokud vám bude chybět, můžete využít bankomaty nebo si v informačním centru pořídit tzv. tollary, které fungují jako platidlo u některých stánků.

Ceny se mohou trochu lišit, ale pro orientaci se ceny na drážďanských trzích pohybují následovně:

• Svařené víno nebo pivo: 5 €
• Horká čokoláda: 3,50 €
• Nealko nápoje: 3–4 €
• Bratwurst klobása: 5–8 €
• Hranolky: 6 €
• Pražené mandle (100 g): 4 €
• Langoše: 5–7 €