Heele-Christ-Markt Bernburg

Bernburg, its Castle and its Heele Christ

Bernburg an der Saale is one of the prettiest towns in the Salzlandkreis district — in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The mighty Bernburg Castle with its Eulenspiegel Tower towers over the town; below it, in the heart of the old town, lies Karlsplatz. This is where the Heele-Christ-Markt is set up — the town's oldest Christmas market and the only one in Germany to bear this name. The "Heele Christ" is a local legendary figure, a Bernburg variant of Knecht Ruprecht, who ceremoniously opens the market — in a carriage, accompanied by fairytale characters, children and the Bernburg 1902 brass band.

You'll experience more than just a typical Christmas market here. The programme combines tradition with small surprises: mulled wine, freshly roasted almonds, crêpes, Dresdner Christstollen, gingerbread houses. Every day at 5 p.m., Santa Claus greets the children and opens an Advent door. Musically, the spectrum ranges from contemplative Christmas carols to Irish Folk and medieval rock. For the first time this year: the Cirko Hopley Christmas circus on Karlsplatz with acrobatics and culinary delights. On New Year's Eve, around 7 p.m., the grand New Year's programme begins with a spectacular fireworks display over Karlsplatz.