Thum Christmas Market with Grand Miners' Parade

An Advent Tradition of the Ore Mountains

When the Advent festival of lights begins in the Ore Mountains, the Thum Miners' Parade is one of the region's most beautiful experiences. The Ore Mountains are known for their Advent traditions of light – Schwibbögen (candle arches), Räuchermänner (incense smokers), pyramids, mining customs – and Thum is one of the central places of this culture. The Christmas market on the market square and the Miners' Parade on Sunday together form the program.

The Grand Miners' Parade

On the first Advent Sunday, the mining brotherhoods march in ceremonial uniforms with mining bands across the market square – over 400 people in traditional costume. The mining bands then give a joint concert on the market square, making the mining tradition of the Ore Mountains audible. Miners, pitmen, mining musicians, and representatives of the pitmen's associations come together from all over the Ore Mountains.

Christmas Market at the Market Square

The market offers Ore Mountains handicrafts – Schwibbögen, Räuchermänner, nativity figures, nutcrackers – along with mulled wine, bratwurst, stollen, and other Christmas specialties. The ceremonial opening on Saturday by Santa Claus and the cutting of a two-meter-long stollen are traditional highlights.

In the Erzgebirgskreis District, State of Saxony

Thum is located in the Erzgebirgskreis district (AGS 14521), state of Saxony, southwest of Chemnitz in the central Ore Mountains. The small town – districts Thum, Herold, and Jahnsbach – upholds the region's mining identity tradition. The Miners' Parade is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Montanregion Erzgebirge – even if Thum is not a UNESCO site itself, the town actively keeps this tradition alive.