Annaberg Christmas Market 2026

Advent Season in the Heart of the Ore Mountains

Annaberg-Buchholz, founded in 1497 as a Saxon mining town after the discovery of rich silver deposits, is now the seat of the Erzgebirgskreis district and one of Saxony's most traditional Christmas market towns. From Friday, November 27 to Wednesday, December 23, 2026, the Annaberg Christmas Market opens around the late Gothic St. Anne's Church — one of Saxony's largest and most beautiful hall churches and the town's namesake mother church.

Over 80 Stalls with Ore Mountains Wood Art

With over 80 lovingly decorated stalls in the market square and surrounding alleys, the Annaberg Christmas Market is one of the largest and most atmospheric markets in the Ore Mountains. The focus of the stalls: Ore Mountains handicrafts from the nearby workshops of Seiffen, Olbernhau, Drebach, and Marienberg. Incense smokers, pyramids, candle arches, wooden figures, nativity scenes, angels, and miners are offered here directly by the carvers. A specialty are the Annaberg folded stars — also known as the Annaberger Stern — artfully folded paper stars from traditional manufactories.

Large Market Pyramid and Christmas Tree

The landmarks of the market are the large market pyramid (in Annaberg tradition, multi-tiered, with rotating figures of miners and angels) and the Christmas tree in the center of the market square. Both are ceremonially lit at the beginning of the market season — a moment that thousands of Annaberg residents and tourists accompany with mulled wine and gingerbread.

Christmas Worlds and Manufactories

The market is complemented by so-called "Christmas Worlds": special exhibitions and thematic rooms in the town's manufactories and museums. Note for 2026: The famous Manufaktur der Träume (Manufactory of Dreams) with historical toys and mechanical music boxes will be closed for renovation in 2026 (from January to the end of November). Remaining open: the nativity scene exhibition in St. Mary's Church, the Advent concerts in St. Anne's Church (Bach cantatas, Christmas Oratorio), and several demonstration workshops of carvers and turners.

Annaberg in Advent

Anyone visiting the market should plan half a day or a full day for the town. Recommended: St. Anne's Church (Cranach Altar, Miner's Pulpit), the Ore Mountains Museum with the "Im Gößner" visitor mine, St. Mary's Church with its nativity scene exhibition, and combining the visit with other Ore Mountains Christmas markets (Schneeberg, Marienberg, Seiffen, Olbernhau).