Miners, Christmas, Dresden
Dec 3rd, 2011, 10:29 PM
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Miners, Christmas, Dresden
Hello Everyone,
I have seen the three words in my title pop up several times in the forums, and it is always about some celebratory event involving miners and caroling of some sort, which sounds like great fun to me. What exactly are these events? Do I have to pay for them (I am certainly willing!)? And which ones will you guys recommend?
While on this topic, does anyone have any good advice on things to do near Christmas, in Dresden?
Rosencrantz
I have seen the three words in my title pop up several times in the forums, and it is always about some celebratory event involving miners and caroling of some sort, which sounds like great fun to me. What exactly are these events? Do I have to pay for them (I am certainly willing!)? And which ones will you guys recommend?
While on this topic, does anyone have any good advice on things to do near Christmas, in Dresden?
Rosencrantz
Dec 4th, 2011, 04:36 AM
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Rosencrantz, maybe some internet research on "Bergparade" will be helpful.
(You will find out, that these parases are performed by miners in their typical uniform, one image replaces a thousand words, in the region of Erzgebirge and mostly in December)
The Christmas Market at Dresden is named "Striezelmarkt" and will take place until December, 24th, 14:00. Maybe some further research on theis will be helpful.
Saturday 18. Dec 2011 will be a Bergparade at Dresden, starting from Frauenkirche, formation 15:30, begin 16:00h. As fas I know, rgere is no charge, entry or whatsoever to stand by the street and watch the miners and their bands parading. Be prepared for cold weather in those times.
(You will find out, that these parases are performed by miners in their typical uniform, one image replaces a thousand words, in the region of Erzgebirge and mostly in December)
The Christmas Market at Dresden is named "Striezelmarkt" and will take place until December, 24th, 14:00. Maybe some further research on theis will be helpful.
Saturday 18. Dec 2011 will be a Bergparade at Dresden, starting from Frauenkirche, formation 15:30, begin 16:00h. As fas I know, rgere is no charge, entry or whatsoever to stand by the street and watch the miners and their bands parading. Be prepared for cold weather in those times.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:13 AM
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hhildebrandt explained it pretty well. No charge for the miners' parades. Most authentic are those in the nearby mountains (Erzgebirge) where the miners actually come from. The one in Dresden is quite good also, though.
I like Schwarzenberg's the best (next weekend), in Freiberg it took place yesterday (I think). Annaberg-Buchholz has the biggest - and the final - parade on 18th Dec but it is in the daylight which is not as romantic as in the previously mentioned towns.
Definitely visit the Christmas markets in Dresden! Striezelmarkt is the largest (and claims to be the oldest in Germany), takes place on the Altmarkt square. I like the one around Frauenkirche (Neumarkt square) very much also, but it ends already on 18th Dec (I think). The one in the Stallhof courtyard nearby (medieval themed market) is pretty good also. Really romantic is also the small market in Loschwitz (Körnerplatz) which ends 18th Dec.
There are many concerts and plays in churches, theatres etc. that are Christmas related. Just go to the tourist information and ask what they recommend and what for you can still get tickets (tough). In case you're religious (Christian) you might want to attend the open-air service on 23rd Dec on the Neumarkt square in front of the Frauenkirche. Very nice.
I.
I like Schwarzenberg's the best (next weekend), in Freiberg it took place yesterday (I think). Annaberg-Buchholz has the biggest - and the final - parade on 18th Dec but it is in the daylight which is not as romantic as in the previously mentioned towns.
Definitely visit the Christmas markets in Dresden! Striezelmarkt is the largest (and claims to be the oldest in Germany), takes place on the Altmarkt square. I like the one around Frauenkirche (Neumarkt square) very much also, but it ends already on 18th Dec (I think). The one in the Stallhof courtyard nearby (medieval themed market) is pretty good also. Really romantic is also the small market in Loschwitz (Körnerplatz) which ends 18th Dec.
There are many concerts and plays in churches, theatres etc. that are Christmas related. Just go to the tourist information and ask what they recommend and what for you can still get tickets (tough). In case you're religious (Christian) you might want to attend the open-air service on 23rd Dec on the Neumarkt square in front of the Frauenkirche. Very nice.
I.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:24 AM
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Is there any snow yet in Annaberg? Dresden is beautiful as always, but it's too mild (and rainy today) for my holiday taste. In addition to what Ingo noted above, you could attend the 9:30 am Sunday services at the Kreuz church and hear their renowned choir. Tickets to the various Bach Christmas Oratorio concerts are pretty much sold out, although you could try the venue an hour beforehand to see if any tickets have been turned in. There are also musicians playing at or near the Christmas markets - yesterday, the Neva Brass quintet (from Russia) played some lovely music and there was a good trombone choir last night.
The Striezelmarkt didn't seem that crowded today, nor did the one on the square in front of the Frauenkirche. Last night, however, the Christmas market on the street that runs from the Frauenkirche down to the river was mobbed. Not my thing.
The Striezelmarkt didn't seem that crowded today, nor did the one on the square in front of the Frauenkirche. Last night, however, the Christmas market on the street that runs from the Frauenkirche down to the river was mobbed. Not my thing.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:30 AM
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As for side trips, you have so many choices 
. During my four+ weeks here, my daytrips from Dresden will include Herrnhut (worldwide headquarters of the Moravian church), Meissen, Annaberg, Freiberg, and Leipzig. I did have a week-end to Berlin planned, but had to cancel.
. During my four+ weeks here, my daytrips from Dresden will include Herrnhut (worldwide headquarters of the Moravian church), Meissen, Annaberg, Freiberg, and Leipzig. I did have a week-end to Berlin planned, but had to cancel.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:40 AM
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No snow in Annaberg yet, sorry. It's unusually mild for December this year. The rain should stop tomorrow. Yep, there's always some music at or near the Christmas markets.
LOL, the "Christmas market" down the Münzgasse is not really considered that by locals. It's the perfect example for a tourist trap
Great side trips that you have planned, FoFoBT!
Btw, I'll attend the Christmas Oratorio in the Frauenkirche this and next Thursday ;-)
I.
LOL, the "Christmas market" down the Münzgasse is not really considered that by locals. It's the perfect example for a tourist trap
Great side trips that you have planned, FoFoBT!
Btw, I'll attend the Christmas Oratorio in the Frauenkirche this and next Thursday ;-)
I.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:49 AM
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Is Bautzen worth a stop? It will be on my train ride back from Herrnhut (bus to Lobau, then train) and since I'll have a Lander (sp) ticket, I could get off and have a wander around.
Enjoy the concert! I attended wonderful performances two years ago at the Basel cathedral and loved it.
One of the reasons that I've cancelled my Berlin trip is to go to Annaberg and Freiberg later in the month in the hopes that they'll have snow by then. Everyone keeps telling me how much snow there was last year - thanks, keep rubbing it in
The Leipzig trip is actually an overnighter - I've booked at the Radisson Blu.
Enjoy the concert! I attended wonderful performances two years ago at the Basel cathedral and loved it.
One of the reasons that I've cancelled my Berlin trip is to go to Annaberg and Freiberg later in the month in the hopes that they'll have snow by then. Everyone keeps telling me how much snow there was last year - thanks, keep rubbing it in
The Leipzig trip is actually an overnighter - I've booked at the Radisson Blu.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:57 AM
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Yes, Bautzen is definitely worth a stop. The Christmas market (on the main market/Hauptmarkt square and along Reichenstrasse) is nice and the town itself is picturesque. Here's the link to my Bautzen page on VT:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/129da/
LOL, there's a good chance for snow in the mountains later this week. Seems like this and next weekend you could be lucky and some (not too much) snow could stay on the ground and trees in the Erzgebirge mountains.
Never stayed at the Radisson Blu in Leipzig (picked the Westin and the Seaside Park Hotel) but heard good things about it. Have fun!
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/129da/
LOL, there's a good chance for snow in the mountains later this week. Seems like this and next weekend you could be lucky and some (not too much) snow could stay on the ground and trees in the Erzgebirge mountains.
Never stayed at the Radisson Blu in Leipzig (picked the Westin and the Seaside Park Hotel) but heard good things about it. Have fun!
Dec 5th, 2011, 12:10 AM
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CarolJean, hope you can make it next year. This year the snow was lacking so far and it is much more romantic with the white stuff Right now it's snowing in the Erzgebirge mountains, though. Hoho!
The dates of the parades never change - always on the same Advent weekends. Freiberg is the 2nd Advent, Schwarzenberg is the 3rd Advent, Annaberg the 4th. Seiffen actually has two parades, the one on 1st Advent a smaller one, the one on 3rd bigger.
You can get all the events (most of the parades, seems it's not the complete list) on http://www.erzgebirge.de/ADVENT/VERANSTALTUNGEN/ but I'm afraid it's in German only. You might discover some more exciting events there, though ... like push-starting the pyramides put up on the markets. Or the Mettenschicht, which reminds of the last shift in the mine before Christmas Eve and is celbrated with festive meal and music.
Or ask here next year ;-)
I.
Right now it's snowing in the Erzgebirge mountains, though. Hoho!The dates of the parades never change - always on the same Advent weekends. Freiberg is the 2nd Advent, Schwarzenberg is the 3rd Advent, Annaberg the 4th. Seiffen actually has two parades, the one on 1st Advent a smaller one, the one on 3rd bigger.
You can get all the events (most of the parades, seems it's not the complete list) on http://www.erzgebirge.de/ADVENT/VERANSTALTUNGEN/ but I'm afraid it's in German only. You might discover some more exciting events there, though ... like push-starting the pyramides put up on the markets. Or the Mettenschicht, which reminds of the last shift in the mine before Christmas Eve and is celbrated with festive meal and music.
Or ask here next year ;-)
I.
Dec 5th, 2011, 07:54 AM
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Thank you, Ingo! I need to do some early planning so I will check them out. Last year was so snowy and beautiful so maybe next year will be too. Because of you, I discovered Schwarzenberg last year - took the bus from Annaberg. Their market is indeed special and the museum at the top was wonderful.
Dec 5th, 2011, 01:27 PM
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A short note on the Freiberg Bergparade. The parade consisted of about 3 groups of about 30 people dressed in miner's costume, most carrying torches. The parade included 1 band and another drum corps. The parade route was about 1km long, and it took all of 10min for the parade to pass by.
Parking: 3 euros
Umbrella, bent by the wind: 5 euros
Marching right behind the bass drum into the main square/Christmas market: priceless
More later on the various Christmas markets, including Feuerzangenbowle review(s). One too many ...
Parking: 3 euros
Umbrella, bent by the wind: 5 euros
Marching right behind the bass drum into the main square/Christmas market: priceless
More later on the various Christmas markets, including Feuerzangenbowle review(s). One too many ...
Dec 5th, 2011, 01:41 PM
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Dresden Christmas markets. I only visited the ones right around the Frauenkirche (a short one running down the side street towards the river, and a larger part in the direction of the Altmarkt). I did not make it to any of the other markets around town.
Weekdays M-Th the market closes up shop at 9pm. Friday at 10. The biggest draw of the market is food & drink. I can give you a rundown of all the food choices if you wish. Every single one.
Compared to other markets I've been to in places like Frankfurt I came across very little non-food items at the Frauenkirche market. A few booths with candles, stars, and some other items. If you're looking for non-food gifts, then you'll need to look at other markets, but I can't give any advice on which ones.
Weekdays M-Th the market closes up shop at 9pm. Friday at 10. The biggest draw of the market is food & drink. I can give you a rundown of all the food choices if you wish. Every single one.
Compared to other markets I've been to in places like Frankfurt I came across very little non-food items at the Frauenkirche market. A few booths with candles, stars, and some other items. If you're looking for non-food gifts, then you'll need to look at other markets, but I can't give any advice on which ones.
Dec 5th, 2011, 02:41 PM
#17
Just got back from a week Dresden, including Saturday in Freiberg for Bergparade, Christmas Market, and Bach Oratorio>>
sadly i missed our local performance of the Christmas Oratorio in Truro on Saturday. i am told it was very good, and was somewhat enlivened by 2 of the female singers interpreting the dress code of "long black" as very short black. not sure what JSB would have thought.
looking forward to your TR, J62
sadly i missed our local performance of the Christmas Oratorio in Truro on Saturday. i am told it was very good, and was somewhat enlivened by 2 of the female singers interpreting the dress code of "long black" as very short black. not sure what JSB would have thought.
looking forward to your TR, J62
Dec 5th, 2011, 09:05 PM
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LOL, you never made it to the Striezelmarkt in the Altmarkt square? Too hard to pass the Feuerzangenbowle stalls, eh? ;-) That one Christmas market e.g. has more than 200 stalls, about half of them non-food.
annhig, too bad you miss the Christmas Oratorio That sort of is a *must* for Christmas time!
annhig, too bad you miss the Christmas Oratorio
That sort of is a *must* for Christmas time!
