Dresden is one of the most family-friendly cities I’ve been to, offering lots of day trips that families will love. Even after four years of living here with my family, I’m still discovering new and exciting places to explore.
This East German city offers a mix of family-friends museums, historical buildings, playgrounds, adventure and forest playgrounds and plenty more. Not only is the city of Dresden wonderful for families, but there is so much to explore around the State of Saxony and beyond. A day trip to Prague, anyone?
Nestled near the German borders to Poland and the Czech Republic, Dresden is the perfect base to explore this southeastern corner. Many sites and attractions are seasonal and are best enjoyed in Summer. However, Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of Saxons and is truly a spectacle to see!
This post is for you if you’re looking for a Christmas day trips from Dresden.
How do I judge family-friendliness?
If my kids loved it, then I’d recommend it!
The Christmas day trips from Dresden I recommend can be reached easily, are inexpensive and offer a variety of activities for your family to enjoy. You’ll see at a glance what facilities are on offer to help you make the right decision for your family.
Christmas Adventures
Dresden is home to the oldest Christmas market in Germany, so it’s no surprise that Christmas here is a BIG deal.
You‘ll find 10 Christmas markets in Dresden, turning the city into a magical wonderland.
Three things you’re guaranteed to see at every Christmas market in Dresden and beyond are:
- Herrnhuter Star
- Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen
- Wooden nutcrackers, candle arches and smoking men from Seiffen.
But why just see these products at the market when you can meet their makers and create your own?
Let’s dive in and explore Saxony, Christmas edition.
Here’s my Complete Guide to the 10 Christmas Markets of Dresden.
Herrnhut – home of the Herrnhuter Star
This tiny town of 6,000 people is famed for the Herrnhutter Star (also called the Morovian Star). It adorns windows and buildings across Saxony year-round and brings an extra magic twinkle in the darker months. This is my favourite from the top three Christmas day trips from Dresden!
Best experienced with kids aged . . .
All ages
Why it’s great for families
| Free entry for children? | ✅ | Free for everyone |
|---|---|---|
| Public toilets | ✅ | |
| Change tables | ✅ | |
| Water to refill bottles | ❌ | |
| Accessible with prams | ✅ | |
| Can I bring my own food? | ✅ | |
| Outdoor areas to burn energy | ✅ | |
| Indoor areas for the colder months | ✅ | |
| Playground | ✅ | |
| Kid-friendly food for sale | ✅ | |
| Low stimulus areas for tired kids | ✅ | |
| Lots of reading and learning | ❌ | |
| Information in English | ✅ |
Tara’s Top Tips
- Make your own star: This is the main attraction. For €16 you can create a star of the colour/s of your liking and glue it together in the cosiest hut. Staff will assist if needed. This is a popular spot with locals, so get there early to avoid queing in the cold.
- Indoor playground: It’s as good as any of Dresden‘s adventure playgrounds. Themed as the Herrnhuter Star workshop, children can explore the maze of tunnels across three levels. There are also books and colouring-in materials for those wanting a calmer experience.
- Watch the artisans in action: Staff are constantly busy hand-crafting the delicate paper stars. You can watch their production, free of charge, and see each step of the creation from start to finish. If you’re lucky, the children may even receive a memento from the creators.
- Coffee, Glühwein and food: There are both indoor and outdoor eating options, offering all the local favourites to keep little tummies full. If you’re organised, you’ll easily find a bench to sit on and eat your packed lunch.
- There is also a small museum, featuring a film, about the history of the Herrnhuter Star. This might be interesting for older children but I didn’t see it – we were too busy in the playground!
Getting There
- By car: From Dresden, driving will take approximately 1.5 hours on the A4. If you don’t own a car, consider participating in a car-sharing service.
- By train and bus: With kids, I don’t recommend this option unless you‘re staying overnight. This option requires multiple transfers on local trains and busses, taking approximately three hours one way. Plan your journey here.
How long do I need?
To enjoy creating a star and everything that the Herrnhuter Star factor has to offer, you’ll need around 2 hours.
If your family can handle more than one destination, why not pair this activity with a city tour of Bautzen or Görlitz?
Check the Herrnhuter Star’s website to confirm opening times and prices before your arrival.
Pulznitzer Pfefferkuchen Festival – if you like Gingerbread
Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen is some of the most famous and dare I say, delicious! This tiny town is famous for creating its signature variety in the 1500s and continues to celebrate its craft annually. A must for a family looking for a Christmas day trip from Dresden.
Best experienced with kids aged . . .
All ages!
Why it’s great for families
| Free entry for children? | ✅ | Free for everyone |
| Public toilets | ✅ | For a fee |
| Change tables | ❌ | |
| Water to refill bottles | ❌ | |
| Accessible with prams | ✅ | |
| Can I bring my own food? | ✅ | |
| Outdoor areas to burn energy | ✅ | |
| Indoor areas for the colder months | ✅ | |
| Playground/s | ❌ | |
| Kid-friendly food for sale | ✅ | |
| Low stimulus areas for tired kids | ✅ | |
| Lots of reading and learning | ❌ | |
| Information in English | ❌ |
Tara’s Top Tips
- Decorate your own Pfefferkuchen: For €3 you can decorate your very own heart, star or car with freshly made icing.
- Sample fresh Pfefferkuchen straight from the oven: Watch as Pfefferkuchen dough is made, rolled out and lovingly cut into hearts and stars. If you wait long enough, you’ll be greeted by the smell of freshly baked Pfefferkuchen as the door opens to sell what’s just come out of the oven. A bag of 6 biscuits was only €2.
- Enjoy the festival: This open-air street festival offers more than just Pfefferkuchen including plenty of vendors, performers and attractions across three days, such as pony rides, historical tours and even the Pfefferkuchen museum. The choice is yours!
Getting There
- By car: Driving to Pulsnitz from Dresden on the A4 takes around 40 minutes. Use the Park & Ride shuttle service for only €3.50 per adult (kids free!). There’s even a Gingerbread man on the ticket! So cute.
- By train and bus: From Dresden, taking the S-Bahn with one change will take around 40 minutes. Plan your journey here.
How long do I need?
1 – 4 hours. I recommend checking the festival’s program before heading to Pulsnitz to so you can enjoy everything on offer, including bakery tours, puppet theatre performances and other exhibitions.
Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen Festival will take place in 2025 between 07 – 09 November.
Seiffen – a Christmas wonderland South of the North Pole
Known as Toy Town Seiffen, this tiny Mountain town is home to the handcrafted wooden pieces seen at every Christmas market: the candle arches, the nutcrackers and the smoking men. Seiffen is a Christmas Wonderland, year-round, but it turns it up to 11 during the Advent Zeit. This is the most Chrismasy of Christmas day trips from Dresden.
Best experienced with kids aged . . .
All ages!
Why it’s great for families
| Free entry for children? | ✅ | Free for everyone |
| Public toilets | ✅ | Paid |
| Change tables | ✅ | In the Toy Museum |
| Water to refill bottles | ❌ | |
| Accessible with prams | ✅ | |
| Can I bring my own food? | ✅ | |
| Outdoor areas to burn energy | ✅ | |
| Indoor areas for the colder months | ✅ | Toy museum, shops |
| Playground/s | ❌ | |
| Kid-friendly food for sale | ✅ | |
| Low stimulus areas for tired kids | ✅ | |
| Lots of reading and learning | ❌ | |
| Information in English | ❌ |
Tara’s Top Tips:
- Toy Museum: This hands-on and very interactive museum is dedicated to the history of toys and toy-making. It’s a cosy option when it gets too cold or busy outside.
- Town Square and main street: The giant Christmas Pyramid and candle arches are accompanied by Bratwurst and Gluhwein while the street is lined with permanently Christmas-themed street lights.
- Watch the artists at work: Many of the shops are directly attached to the workshops where the Master Craftsmen (yes, they have a certificate to certify their skill level) create their delicate pieces.
Getting There:
- By car: Driving is your best option to reach this remote mountain village. From Dresden, the drive will take approximately 1.5 hours. Be ready: it gets windy. Parking is challenging if you don’t arrive in town early.
- By train and bus: While it is possible to reach Seiffen by public transport, with kids I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are making a weekend out of it. With public transport it will take you approximately 3 hours each way.
How long do I need?
1 – 3 hours. This allows you plenty of time to enjoy the Toy Museum, soak up the Christmas vibes and check out the Master Craftsmen at work. Remember that if you’re visiting Seiffen during the Adventzeit (the First Advent is on December 1 in 2024), it will be busy and cold. Plan accordingly.
Time for a Christmas day trip from Dresden
I hope you now have inspiration for your festive family day trips out of Dresden. Enjoy what Saxony has to offer and soak up the unique traditions from this part of the world.
Have you visited any of these locations before? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Want to stay in the know about what’s on in and around Dresden? Why not sign up for my newsletter?
