Große Bergparade Marienberg

Miners' Parade — Saxon Mining Tradition

The miners' parades of the Erzgebirge are one of Saxony's most spectacular traditions and have been protected as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage since 2016. They date back to historical processions of the mining guilds, with which the silver miners of the Erzgebirge presented themselves publicly — in uniforms, with 'Hauer' tools, mining orders, and mining music. Marienberg, founded in 1521 as a planned mining town centered around silver mining, is one of the most important of these towns. The Marienberg miners' parade, with over 500 costume bearers, is considered one of the largest of its kind.

Third Sunday of Advent — Fixed Date

Traditionally, the Große Bergparade Marienberg takes place on the third Sunday of Advent — in 2026, this falls on December 13. It begins at 2 PM; participants assemble beforehand at designated gathering points within the town. The procession moves through the historic town center, past the imposing Marienberg Market Square with its Town Hall and the late Gothic St. Mary's Church. Admission is free; thousands of visitors line the route.

Connection with the Marienberg Christmas Market

The miners' parade is integrated into the Marienberg Christmas Market, which takes place on the market square at the same time — featuring Erzgebirge wood art, mulled wine, bratwurst, and festive lighting. Special trains on line RB 81 will run between Pockau-Lengefeld and Marienberg on this weekend for visitors arriving by Erzgebirgsbahn. Those who wish to combine both traditions (miners' parade + Christmas Market) will get their full money's worth on December 13, 2026.

Saxony, Erzgebirgskreis, and Marienberg

Marienberg, a major district town in the Erzgebirgskreis district of Saxony, is located at an altitude of around 590 m on the main ridge of the Erzgebirge, not far from the Czech border. The mining town was founded in 1521 — as a planned Renaissance mining town with a characteristic square market, which is today one of the largest market squares in the Erzgebirge. Mining shaped the town until the 20th century; today, the tradition lives on primarily through customs — and in the grand miners' parades that take place throughout the Erzgebirge during Advent (Chemnitz, Schneeberg, Annaberg-Buchholz, Olbernhau, Marienberg, etc.).