Dresden: A Christmas Wonderland
Beginning the last week of November, Dresden transforms into a Christmas wonderland, glowing with decorated Christmas Trees and festively lit windows. The sprawling Christmas markets give off delicious smells of gingerbread and mulled wine, making Dresden a must-see for Christmas lovers, young and old.
After celebrating five consecutive Christmas’ here, I’m excited to share the inside scoop of the beautiful and surprising Christmas traditions in Dresden. For example, one of the wise-men is always black!
Surprising Christmas Traditions in Dresden, Germany
Did you know that the candles were first used to decorate Christmas Trees by the Moravian church in Saxony, around an hour from Dresden? Or that the quintessential wooden nutcrackers are still handcrafted in the Ore Mountains?
Dresden is also home to the oldest and longest-running Christmas Market in Germany, celebrating it’s 590th anniversary in 2024.
With so many Christmas traditions originating in this region, it’s little wonder that the Adventszeit holds such cultural significance for Dresden’s inhabitants.
Nikolaus
On the evening of December 5 rows of boots will be standing in front of every door.
It is tradition for children and adults alike to polish their boots and place them outside. Nikolaus will visit overnight and leave gifts in the children’s boots.
Based on the good deeds of Saint Nicholaus (yes, the very same man our Santa Claus traditions are based upon), traditional gifts include an orange, an apple and something to read. Nowadays though, children typically receive chocolates and Christmas Biscuits called Plätzchen locally.
Stollen Festival
Every year, on the Saturday before the second Advent, Dresden celebrates it’s world-famous Christmas cake – Stollen.
Baking of this buttery not-quite-bread but not-quite-cake begins at the end of Summer and is shipped worldwide from a collection of only 150 certified bakeries in Dresden. This tradition has existed in Dresden since at least the 16th Century.
Featuring an appearance from the Stollen Princess, the day’s highlight is the parade of the giant Stollen through the streets of Dresden followed by the proud bakers.
If you’re after a surprising Christmas experience in Dresden, this is it!
One of the Wise Men is Always Black
Of all of the surprises I had in my first Christmas in Dresden, this was the biggest!
In any depiction of the three wise men (locally referred to as the three kings), one is always presented as being Black.
Whether it’s in a picture, statues or in person at the local church, one is always painted black. Initially this tradition took me by surprise but I’ve come to appreciate how deeply-rooted these traditions are in this region.
Christmas Trees stay outside
For me, the Christmas Tree is the central Christmas decoration. But in Dresden, I was surprised to learn that many families leave their Christmas Tree outside on their balcony until December 24.
Some families don’t even decorate it until December 24, opting to leave the tree up until the end of January.
My family do not adhere to this tradition, instead decorating it on the first advent so that we can enjoy it for the entire Adventszeit.
Unique Christmas Decorations in Dresden, Germany.
Moravian Star
An unmissable feature of Christmas in Dresden, Moravian Stars can be seen hanging in windows, on balconies and decorating official buildings across the city.
Originally created for children as a Geometry lesson, these stars have been a staple Christmas decoration for Saxons since at least the beginning of the twentieth century.
These stars help to light the darkest part of the year, symbolising the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem after the birth of baby Jesus.
Candle Arch
Locally called Schwibbogan, these ornate and intricately carved candle arches adorn windows in every building.
Hailing from the Ore Mountains approximately 100km from Dresden, this decoration is so central to celebrations that the entry to the Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market found in Dresden, is an enormous Candle Arch.
Christmas Pyramid
You might have noticed a theme of lights being the primary Christmas decoration in Dresden and the Christmas Pyramid is no exception.
These delicate decorations use the heat of candles to spin the fins around, creating a carousel-style decoration.
Often featuring the nativity scene, these decorations range in size from tiny to the world’s largest on display at one of Dresden’t nine Christmas Markets.
Räuchermann
These wooden incense holders are still the most shocking Christmas decoration for me.
Literally translated as Smoking Men, they are shaped as men, traditionally miners, smoking.
While they can now be found depicting people in all professions and pursuit, the commonality among them is that they typically are holding a pipe with the incense smoke coming out from the mouths.
Traditional Christmas Food in Dresden, Germany
Festive Meats
Festive meals are central to Christmas celebrations in Dresden. The evening of December 24 is marked with Bratwurst and mashed potato following gift-giving. Roasted Goose is the traditional meat shared on December 25 with extended family. Finally, on December 26, Game Meat such as Venison or Wild Boar, marks the end of the Christmas celebration.
Stollen
Dresden’s world-famous Christmas cake Stollen cannot be avoided.
Sold by the kilogram, this delicacy is enjoyed with coffee nearly everyday throughout the Adventszeit.
Platzchen
If Stollen’s not your thing, get among these delicious Christmas biscuits.
These biscuits can range from simple butter-cookies to the extravagant, made with almonds, coated in chocolate or filled with jam.
Available at bakeries, Christmas markets and Oma’s house, Plätzchen accompanies every catchup, snack and meal throughout the Adventszeit.
Christmas Markets
Dresden’s Christmas Markets are central to Christmas traditions in Dresden. They showcase many of the surprising Christmas traditions I’ve already shared.
The oldest of these, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, is celebrating it’s 590th year in 2024. Offering a glimpse into the distinctive Christmas traditions of the region, this Christmas Market is not to be missed.
During my recent visit, I was thrilled to see the traditional Christmas decorations brought to life on stage with Weihnachtsmann. It was family fun, with a sense of whimsy, reminding me how embedded these Christmas traditions are in Dresden.
Dresden boasts nine Christmas Markets in total, each with a unique flair and approach. Give yourself time during your visit to fully immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere that only Dresden can provide.
Read more about the 10 Christmas Markets of Dresden.
Time to Enjoy Christmas in Dresden!
So, if you’re looking for a Christmas experience you’ll never forget, make Dresden your next Winter holiday stop!
Which Christmas Tradition in Dresden did you find most surprising? Let me know in the comments below!
