Schneeberg Miner's Day

A Piece of Mining History Since 1498

The Schneeberg Miner's Day dates back to a historic strike: In 1496, Schneeberg miners refused the planned wage cut and successfully enforced the old wages — one of the first documented successful wage struggles in Central Europe and a historically exceptionally progressive labor dispute for its time. Since 1498, this 'uprising' has been commemorated annually on July 22, the day of St. Mary Magdalene, with a miners' parade and a festive service. The Miner's Day is thus one of the oldest continuously celebrated mining traditions in Germany.

Course of the Miner's Day

The program traditionally begins with the tower fanfare from the town hall, followed by a mountain concert with the miners' choir 'Glück Auf'. The highlight is the impressive miners' parade through the festively decorated old town: uniformed miners in historical costumes, Hauer (miners) and Steiger (foremen), mountain music bands, and mining guild delegations march from the market square to St. Wolfgang's Church. A festive church service takes place there, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of mining customs. The event concludes with a concert by the participating mountain musicians.

2026 — Embedded in 555 Years of Berggeschrey

The 2026 edition is part of the anniversary week celebrating the 555th anniversary of Schneeberg's 'Berggeschrey' — the announcement of the silver find in 1471, which led to the rapid development of the mining town. The Miner's Day thus gains additional significance in the mining town's festival calendar. Furthermore, the unique atmosphere of the historic market square with the town hall and the late Gothic St. Wolfgang's Church in the background is further enhanced by the festival weekend.

Saxony, Erzgebirgskreis, and the Mining Town of Schneeberg

Schneeberg is located in the Erzgebirgskreis district in Saxony, at an altitude of around 470 m on the 'Silberstraße' (Silver Route) — one of the most famous mining towns in the Ore Mountains. The medieval old town with its market square, the late Gothic St. Wolfgang's Church (also called the 'Cathedral of the Ore Mountains'), and the old mining authority shape the cityscape to this day. Visitors to the Miner's Day experience not only a Volksfest (folk festival) but also a vibrant connection to the mining history of the Ore Mountains. The mining culture of the Ore Mountains was added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.