One of our favorite Christmas Markets! We parked under Altmarkt Square, and as soon as you start climbing the stairs to the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, you’re hit with so many amazing smells. Smoky sausages, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a hint of sweetness. Even if you weren’t planning on visiting, the smells will draw you right in.
Be sure to check out our Complete Guide to Dresden Christmas Market when you are ready to starting planning your trip!
I’ve never seen a more decorated space. Literally every surface is decorated in holiday decor. It’s overwhelming but in a good way. The little huts and light snow fall make you feel like you’re in the center of Santa’s village. It’s magical and whimsical..and did I mention it smells amazing?!
We started our first German Christmas Market experience off with some Gluwein! I’ve been very excited to try this, and it did not disappoint. It was strong, so strong, but warm, comforting, and delicious! This is also where we acquired our first collector mug!
Along with it being beautiful, it is also very busy. We arrived in the early afternoon, and it was crowded. There are quite a few tables and seating areas, but it was hard to find an open space! I can only imagine it gets a lot crazier at night. Which would be a good time, if you aren’t accompanied by small children!
We came. We saw. And boy did we eat! There are a solid amount of food options here, but the sausage stands just permeate the air. They smell so good you just have to have one! We ordered a bratwurst – served in a simple crusty roll, topped with mustard, and cooked perfectly. I’ve eaten plenty of brats in my life, but they are far superior here in Germany.
We also ordered one of the most flavorful and delicious sides I have ever eaten. While ordering our bratwurst, I see a huge steaming pot filled with mushrooms, and some sauce bubbling all around. We ordered them and they were covered in a creamy garlic sauce and topped with a handful of fresh chopped parsley. Tender, flavor bursting, little bites from heaven. They were a little messy – seeing as they were served on a thin slice of cardboard – but totally worth it.
After that, who doesn’t want a light dish of Raclette cheese!? I see these videos all over the internet, but seeing it in person and smelling it, is what totally sold me. You could eat your cheese over bread, or bread topped with stewed tomatoes – which we picked. Watching them scrape the melty cheese over that toasty bread is now a core memory for me and my daughter. And wow, did it taste good. It was so rich but the tomatoes cut it nicely. I couldn’t recommend this more if you happen to stumble upon it.
We ended our meal with some fresh, hot, Krappelchen. Little fried donuts coated in sugar and made fresh to order. We were all slightly memorized by the process, which I think made them taste even more delightful.
There are two carousels and plenty of rides for kids.
We found a section for smaller kids and this is where Santa will come out at specific times and read stories. Unfortunately we missed that part, so make sure you check their website for all that important information.
The world’s tallest candle pyramid – which stands a little over 45 feet – is located in the middle of the market. The candles power the blades located at the top which causes the decorations on the pyramid to move! Pretty. cool.
There is also a big arch that pays homage to the mining history in the area, which is a really cool feature. It’s tall and topped with big candles. You can climb up to the top and get a spectacular view of the whole Striezelmarkt.
The whole market was a good size, big, but not too big where you had to spend the entire day walking around. We were there during the day and it was busy, which made it a little difficult to see the different stalls, and the lines were about a 10 minute wait for most food stands, which is really not that bad. In total, we were there for about 2-3 hours, and by the time we left it was getting quite busy.
Our family would definitely come back here again! And would plan on staying for most of the day.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you been to the Dresden Christmas Market? Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below. And when you’re ready to plan your visit, don’t forget to check out our Complete Guide to Dresden Christmas Market for all the details you’ll need!
