Stollberg Christmas Market with Mountain Parade

Erzgebirge Christmas Eve on the 2nd Advent

When the miners don their historic miner uniforms, the incense candles glow in the stalls, and the scent of Stollen fills the alleys, it's the 2nd Advent in Stollberg. Three days of Christmas market from December 5th to 7th, 2026, shape the weekend – embedded in the dense network of Erzgebirge mountain parades, which have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of Germany since 2016.

Two Market Areas: Winter Village and Main Market

The market is spread across two areas. The Winter Village is set up in Marienpark – a collection of lovingly decorated huts with mulled wine, food, and Erzgebirge crafts. Between Marienpark and Hauptmarkt, the actual Christmas market extends with sales stands, food, and a stage program.

Grand Mountain Parade on Saturday

The ceremonial highlight is the mountain parade of the Saxon State Association of Mining and Smelting Guilds on Saturday, December 5th, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Miners from various Erzgebirge mining towns march through the streets of Stollberg in historic uniforms – with helmets and miner's feather plumes. The march is accompanied by mining bands and concludes on the Hauptmarkt with a festive ceremony. Around 3:30 PM, the traditional Stollen cutting follows – a giant Erzgebirge Christmas Stollen is symbolically cut and distributed to visitors.

Santa Claus Parade on Sunday

On Sunday, December 6th, the Santa Claus Parade marches through Herrenstraße – a colorful procession with Santa Claus, angels, light children, and musical accompaniment, which particularly attracts the youngest visitors.

Erzgebirge Crafts and Specialties

At the stalls, you'll find the full spectrum of Erzgebirge Advent traditions: hand-carved smokers and pyramids, Schwibbögen (candle arches), knitted and felt items, mulled wine, Feuerzangenbowle (mulled rum punch), bratwurst, candied almonds, gingerbread, Stollen, and much more.

Stollberg, Erzgebirgskreis, and the Central Erzgebirge

Stollberg/Erzgeb. is located in the Erzgebirgskreis district, in the central Erzgebirge between Chemnitz and Schwarzenberg. With just over 11,000 inhabitants, Stollberg is one of the characteristic mining towns of the region. Visitors to the market can combine their stay with a trip to Burg Stein, a hike in the Greifensteingebiet area, or a day trip to Annaberg-Buchholz or Schwarzenberg – all of which have their own Christmas markets.