Romantic Princely Christmas Greiz
Advent celebration in the historic Lower Castle of the Reuss Residence Town with court in historical costume
About Princely Christmas Greiz
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Princely Journey Through Time at the Lower Castle
The Romantic Princely Christmas transforms Greiz's Lower Castle into a vibrant backdrop from the 18th and 19th centuries on a single Advent Sunday. The castle, a former residence of the Princes Reuss Elder Line, now houses the museums of the castle and residence town of Greiz. For the Princely Christmas, the entire court is revived: staff and participants appear in faithfully recreated costumes—ladies-in-waiting with hoop skirts, servants in livery, children as little princes and princesses. The castle rooms become an immersive theatre of a princely Christmas celebration.
Historical Fashion Shows, Concerts, Puppet Theatre
The program is dense and detailed. Historical fashion shows take place in the Wandelhalle and the state rooms—showcasing faithfully recreated festive dresses, uniforms, and robes from the Reuss era. In the historic ballroom, Christmas concerts are held: court music from Baroque to Romantic—Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn—performed at the highest musical level. For children, there is a puppet theatre with a classical repertoire. Between program items, you can discover gifts from "princely court suppliers"—artisan stalls in the castle grounds—or engage in crafts and making with the children.
"Heißer Bischof" — The Princely Punch
A special specialty of the Greiz Princely Christmas is the "Heißer Bischof": a warming punch based on an original recipe by Greiz court confectioner Müller from the 18th century. The punch is prepared with bitter oranges, red wine, spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom), and a secret family recipe—and is served only once a year: at the Romantic Princely Christmas. In the Christmas café in the Princely Gallery, you can enjoy the "Bischof" with homemade cakes and coffee, while outside the Advent atmosphere continues to unfold in the historic castle gardens.
Greiz — Castle and Residence Town in the Vogtland
Greiz is one of Thuringia's most beautiful castle towns—the former residence of the Principality of Reuss Elder Line, located in the far east of Thuringia on the border with Saxony and Bavaria. The town has three castle structures: the Upper Castle on a rock above the town, the Lower Castle as a Baroque residence building on Burgplatz, and the Sommerpalais in the Princely Greiz Park. The latter was laid out in 1799 as an English landscape park and is considered one of Thuringia's most beautiful parks. The Princely Christmas is an opportunity to experience all of this at once: the princely castle interior, the historic atmosphere, and the winter Vogtland between the Ore Mountains and the Thuringian Forest.
Princely Christmas Greiz — edition 2026
Advent Sunday at the Lower Castle
On December 13, 2026, the Lower Castle of Greiz will once again transform into a princely stage. From 11 AM to 6 PM, the court in historical costume invites visitors to a day full of Advent atmosphere in the former Reuss residence—historical fashion shows, Christmas concerts, puppet theatre, artisan court suppliers, and "Heißer Bischof".
Programme Princely Christmas Greiz 2026
Program Highlights 2026 — Romantic Princely Christmas Greiz
- 11:00 AM — Opening: Welcome at Burgplatz; court in historical costumes greets guests; official opening by the castle administration
- All Day — Historical Fashion Shows: Multiple performances in the Wandelhalle and state rooms; faithfully recreated festive robes, uniforms, and dresses from the Reuss era
- Christmas Concerts: Court music in the historic ballroom — works by Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn; classical concerts at the highest level; several concert times spread throughout the day
- Puppet Theatre: Classical repertoire for children; multiple performances in a dedicated hall
- Court Suppliers: Artisan stalls in the castle grounds — jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, Christmas tree ornaments, candles, regional food products
- "Heißer Bischof": Served in the Christmas café in the Princely Gallery; original recipe by Greiz court confectioner Müller from the 18th century with bitter oranges, red wine, and spices
- Christmas Café: Coffee and lovingly baked cakes in the Princely Gallery; a cozy break from the festive hustle
- Craft Activities for Children: Various activities — candle dipping, jewelry making, gift crafting
- 6:00 PM — End of Event
The full day's program with concert and performance times will be published in November on greiz.de.
Highlights Princely Christmas Greiz 2026
- Court in historical costumes from the 18th/19th centuries
- Historical fashion shows in the castle rooms
- Christmas concerts with court music in the ballroom
- "Heißer Bischof" according to original 18th-century recipe
- Puppet theatre and craft activities for children
Prices Princely Christmas Greiz 2026
Admission to the Princely Christmas: typically €8–€12 for adults, €4–€6 for concessions, children under 14 often free. "Heißer Bischof", food, and court supplier goods are paid for separately on site.
Practical information — Princely Christmas Greiz
Date 2026
Sunday, December 13, 2026 (3rd Sunday of Advent), 11:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Location
Unteres Schloss Greiz, Burgplatz 12, 07973 Greiz.
Getting there
By train: Greiz station, then a 10-minute walk to Burgplatz. By car: A4 exit Schmölln, then federal roads towards Greiz; or A72 (Chemnitz–Hof) exit Greiz-Mohlsdorf. Parking is available on the outskirts of town, followed by a walk into the old town.
Admission
Admission to the Princely Christmas—typically €8–€12 for adults, €4–€6 for concessions, children under 14 often free. "Heißer Bischof", food, and court supplier goods are paid for separately.
Tip
Arrive early—the event is very popular. Combine your visit with a walk through the Princely Greiz Park (worth seeing even in winter), a climb to the Upper Castle, or the Greiz Christmas Market in the castle garden (running concurrently).
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Princely Christmas Greiz al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Princely Christmas Greiz
Unteres Schloss Greiz
Burgplatz 12, 07973 Greiz