Great Seiffen Miners' Parade
The most traditional miners' parade in the Ore Mountains — over 400 costumed figures march through the toy town on December 12, 2026
About Seiffen Miners' Parade
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Tradition since the Middle Ages
Miners' parades in the Ore Mountains date back to the Middle Ages and originated from festive processions by miners on church and court occasions. The traditional costumes — a mix of miner's uniform, courtly festive clothing, and regional customs — are now part of Germany's intangible cultural heritage (UNESCO recognized since 2014 as «Mining Culture Erzgebirge»). The Seiffen Miners' Parade is one of the most traditional and colorful — the toy town with its baroque church and typical Ore Mountain row of houses forms an exceptionally atmospheric backdrop.
Over 400 Costumed Figures
The parade is led by the Seiffen Mining and Smelting Guild — the local guild association that preserves the tradition. In addition, there is the children's costume group «Lebendiges Spielzeug» (a nod to Seiffen's identity as a toy town) and friendly guilds from other Ore Mountain towns such as Annaberg-Buchholz, Marienberg, Schwarzenberg, and Olbernhau. A total of over 400 costumed figures march in a disciplined procession along the main street — the men in dark blue habits with silver-trimmed cuffs, the women in traditional Ore Mountain costumes, and the children in miniature versions. Mining bands accompany the parade with miners' marches and Christmas carols.
Parade Route
The parade starts at the Haus des Gastes and proceeds along the Hauptstraße towards the Hotel Seiffener Hof, then turns back to the main intersection, and finally proceeds towards the church, ending at the Rathausplatz. The total route is about 1 km long and takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the pace of the guilds. Thousands of spectators line the street — those who want a good view should arrive in good time (one to one and a half hours before 3:30 PM).
Seiffen — the Toy Town
Seiffen, with just under 2,000 inhabitants, is one of the most famous places in the Ore Mountains — known worldwide as a toy town. Since the 17th century, the typical Ore Mountain wooden toys have been manufactured here: nutcrackers, Christmas pyramids, candle arches, and animal figures. The Ore Mountain Toy Museum and the Open-Air Museum document this tradition. During the Advent season, the entire town transforms into an open-air Christmas market, with the miners' parade as its liturgical center.
Seiffen Miners' Parade — edition 2026
December 12, 2026 — Highlight of Seiffen Christmas
The Miners' Parade is the most atmospheric moment of the Seiffen Advent calendar: On Saturday, December 12, starting at 3:30 PM, over 400 costumed figures will march in disciplined formation through the main street. Miners with mining hats and black habits, smelters with light blue cuffs, women in Ore Mountain costumes, children in miniature versions — all generations are involved.
Mining bands from the Ore Mountains march along, playing traditional miners' marches and Ore Mountain Christmas carols («Steigerlied», «Glück Auf», «Vom Himmel hoch»). Thousands of visitors line the main street, many holding lights or candle arches, some even wearing Ore Mountain traditional costume. It is an unusually concentrated, almost meditative atmosphere — far from any modern event hustle and bustle.
Programme Seiffen Miners' Parade 2026
Saturday, December 12, 2026 — Schedule
- From 2:00 PM — Assembly of the guilds at Haus des Gastes
- 3:30 PM — Start of the Great Miners' Parade
- Route (approx. 1 km):
- Haus des Gastes
- Hauptstraße towards Hotel Seiffener Hof
- Turnaround at Seiffener Hof
- Return to the main intersection
- Continue towards the church
- End point: Rathausplatz
- Participating guilds:
- Seiffen Mining and Smelting Guild (leading guild)
- «Lebendiges Spielzeug» Children's Costume Group
- Friendly guilds from Annaberg-Buchholz, Marienberg, Schwarzenberg, Olbernhau, and other Ore Mountain towns
- Mining bands
- Approx. 5:00 PM — End of the parade at Rathausplatz, followed by a communal supper / mulled wine
The schedule may vary slightly depending on the weather. Current information on the day of the event on the guild's website and at the Seiffen Tourist Office.
Highlights Seiffen Miners' Parade 2026
- Over 400 costumed figures in full mining attire
- Seiffen Mining and Smelting Guild with «Lebendiges Spielzeug» children's group
- Friendly guilds from all over the Ore Mountains
- Mining bands with miners' marches and Christmas carols
- Atmospheric route experience through the Advent-decorated Seiffen
- Part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage «Mining Culture Erzgebirge»
- Free admission
Prices Seiffen Miners' Parade 2026
Free admission to the parade. Mulled wine, Ore Mountain specialties, and snacks available on site. Recommendation: use park-and-ride facilities, parking in Seiffen is limited on event days.
Practical information — Seiffen Miners' Parade
Date 2026
Saturday, December 12, 2026, parade starts at 3:30 PM.
Location
Hauptstraße Seiffen, Start: Haus des Gastes; End: Rathausplatz. 09548 Seiffen/Erzgeb.
Admission
Free admission. Recommendation: warm clothing, sturdy footwear (winter temperatures, often snow), thermos flask for mulled wine or tea.
Getting There
By car: via A 4 (exit Chemnitz-Süd) and B 174 to Olbernhau, then follow signs to Seiffen. Parking in Seiffen is limited on event days — park-and-ride facilities outside the town with shuttle service. By train: to Olbernhau-Niederneuschönberg, then take a bus to Seiffen.
Organizer
Seiffen Mining and Smelting Guild in cooperation with the Seiffen Tourist Office. More info at urlaub-seiffen.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Seiffen Miners' Parade al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Seiffen Miners' Parade
Hauptstraße Seiffen — Spielzeugmuseum, Hotel Seiffener Hof, Kirche, Rathausplatz
Hauptstraße, Seiffen, 09548 Seiffen/Erzgebirge