Riegelsberg Christmas Market

Advent Market on the 1st Advent

The Riegelsberg Christmas Market traditionally takes place every year on the 1st Advent weekend — this gives it its special position in the Saarland Christmas market calendar. While the big city markets often run for four weeks, Riegelsberg is one of those weekends where you consciously go because the format is compact and manageable. The venue is the newly designed market square in the municipality of Riegelsberg in the Regionalverband Saarbrücken.

What to find at the stalls

Around 15 stalls offer:

• Advent decorations (fir wreaths, Advent decorations, candles)
• Handmade crafts (wood carvings, felt, pottery)
• Saarland-Palatinate specialties — Lyoner, Schwenker, Bratwurst
• Advent sweets — cookies, gingerbread, roasted almonds
• Mulled wine, punch, children's punch

Musical Program

The Riegelsberg brass band is the musical backbone of the market. It plays classic Advent repertoire on the opening evening and Sunday morning get-together. The program is regularly enhanced by friendly music clubs from France — Riegelsberg maintains close contacts with the Société musicale de Gisors, whose musicians have participated in several performances.

St. Nicholas on Sunday

On Sunday afternoon, St. Nicholas visits the market square. A clear highlight for the children — they receive small gifts and can discuss whether they have been good throughout the past year. A beautiful, child-friendly tradition that attracts many families from the Köllertal.

Riegelsberg — Industrial town with club culture

Riegelsberg is located in the Köllertal, northwest of Saarbrücken, in the Regionalverband Saarbrücken. The municipality has around 14,000 inhabitants and is the terminus of Saarbahn Line 1 — which makes travel particularly easy. The municipality thrives on a long tradition of clubs; the brass band is a flagship of this.

Who should visit

For everyone who wants to open the Advent season with a small, cozy town market without having to fight through glitter crowds. Families are welcome — more adults on Saturday evenings, St. Nicholas visit and children's time on Sunday afternoon.