In 2022 our annual Christmas Market Trip took us to Dresden, a city I hadn’t yet visited. As a German, the one thing I am uttermost proud of are the German Christmas Markets – we have some of the oldest and most magical markets in the world and people are streaming towards Germany during the month of December in masses, and well, we are one of them. I compounded a list of the Christmas Markets we visited and enjoyed – they are best enjoyed in the evening when the lights glisten in the dark and the mulled wine will keep you warm as temperatures drop.
Striezelmarkt - The biggest and most visited Christmas Market in Dresden is “Striezelmarkt”. In 2022 the market celebrated its 588th version which makes it the oldest Christmas Market in Germany and the undisputed number one market in the city of Dresden. The highlight of every Christmas market for me are the hot drinks, interesting food options and traditionally crafted goods. Some of the best souvenirs are edible which is why I love to buy something local to bring home with me to make the Christmas atmosphere from our trip last just a little longer. In Dresden I bought the local “Stollen” which is a Christmas bread-like cake with containing raisins wrapped in a layer of powder sugar. The best way to enjoy a piece is buy simply adding butter and eat it like a bread. Oh, dreaming of this delicacy makes the water run in my mouth.
Neumarkt - After having visited the biggest and most popular destination of Dresden’s Christmas markets, you will find another market on Neumarkt, next to Frauenkirche. I could wander around and around this market to make for hours to be sure to have seen it all since the setup of the stalls seemed to form a maze with new niches and corners to explore after every turn. The variety of stalls offering food, drinks and crafted goods are many.
Stallhof - In the heart of Dresden, hidden away behind the walls of the Procession of Princes inside the stable yard, lays the medieval Christmas market. The stable yard was built in 1591 as part of the Royal Palace and counts as one of the few remaining tournament places in the world. To enter the market, you will have to pay an entry fee if you visit during weekends, but it’s a small price to pay for the experience you get inside. As a traditional medieval market, you will find grocers offering historical goods and craftsmen working with real tools and materials from the late Middle Ages. After having tried hot mulled wines in uncountable numbers, this was the market where I drank THE BEST hot wine of them all – a mulled cherry wine.
Augustusmarkt - Most of the Christmas markets are located in the historical town of Dresden, but there are a few ones not to be overlooked in the new part of Dresden across the river. Albeit being the newest addition to Dresden’s Christmas markets, the Augustusmarkt has already achieved to be the second largest Christmas market in Dresden and equally the longest, stretching over a whole of 0,5 km which makes perfect to stroll from one end to the other, while enjoying the Christmas impressions and scents from every angle.
There are more Christmas markets in Dresden than mentioned in this blog post, but I found the above mentioned to be the most interesting and magical ones. Have fun in Dresden and enjoy the Christmas magic!