Bergparade Aue

Mining Tradition for the First Advent

When the days grow shortest and Advent begins, a special tradition comes alive in the Ore Mountains: the Bergparaden (miners' parades). They commemorate the region's centuries-old mining history — from silver and tin to uranium and the modern lignite mines of Lusatia. The Bergparade Aue takes place annually on the 1st Advent Sunday and is one of the most important miners' parades in the Ore Mountains. It is not just a tourist spectacle but a seriously maintained tradition of the Ore Mountain mining fraternities.

Who Marches in the Parade

The participants in the parade are members of Bergbrüderschaften (mining fraternities) from all over the Ore Mountains — they wear historical mining uniforms that vary depending on the occupational group (miner, smelter, mining captain, master mechanic): black trousers with a leather apron, blue or green jackets with brass buttons, and the traditional miner's 'Häckel' hat. Alongside them march Bergmusikkapellen (mining brass bands) playing wind music — the bright sounds of trumpets, trombones, and tubas give the parade its characteristic atmosphere.

Torchlight Procession at Dusk

Since the parade begins at 5:00 PM, it starts during twilight. It's dark by around 5:30 PM — and that's when the parade unfolds its special magic: the miners light their pit lamps and torches, and the procession transforms into a stream of light through the city center. Against the backdrop of the Christmas-decorated market square and the festive Advent lights, the parade becomes one of the most atmospheric moments of the Ore Mountain Advent season.

The Miners' Parade Season in the Ore Mountains

The miners' parades form a continuous season: it traditionally begins at the end of November in Chemnitz with the grand opening parade and concludes shortly before Christmas with the final parade in Annaberg-Buchholz. In total, parades take place in 19 towns in the region — Schneeberg, Zwönitz, Lugau, Schwarzenberg, Ehrenfriedersdorf, and many more. Aue is one of the larger parades and can be easily experienced on foot due to its compact city center.

Aue-Bad Schlema and the Western Ore Mountains

The twin town of Aue-Bad Schlema, with around 22,000 inhabitants, is located in the Western Ore Mountains in the Erzgebirgskreis district. Aue itself is known as an industrial city and the home of FC Erzgebirge Aue (Bundesliga football club) — Bad Schlema is a radon spa town that emerged from the history of the Wismut uranium mines. Thus, the mining history is not just folklore but was a real economic basis for the region well into the 20th century.