Zittau Christmas Market with Light Festival

Market and Light in the Three-Country Town

Zittau, the southeasternmost major city in Saxony, is located at the intersection of the borders with Poland and the Czech Republic—a location that has given the city its special cultural diversity for centuries. From December 5th to 13th, 2026, the Zittau Christmas Market will open with its special blend of classic Christmas trade and a light festival staging in the historic old town.

A Week of Programming

The market runs for a full week, from Saturday to the Sunday of the following week. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday and Saturday extended until 8 pm. Shops in the city center will also keep their doors open into the evening. Mulled wine, punch, Christmas pastries, incense cones, regional wood carvings, and diverse stalls are part of the offerings.

Cultural Program and Light Festival

The stage showcases what the Upper Lusatia region has to offer: Christmas carols, stars and starlets, local choirs and singing talents, its own children's program, and folk tales by the campfire. The "Light Festival" character comes into its own after dusk: squares, facades, and courtyards are festively illuminated—an additional incentive to visit the market in the evening.

The Zittau Lenten Cloths as a Cultural Setting

Zittau is famous for its two Lenten Cloths—culturally and historically outstanding textile artworks from the 15th and 18th centuries. The "Great Zittau Lenten Cloth" (1472) is a permanent exhibition in the Museum Church of the Holy Cross, and the "Small Zittau Lenten Cloth" (1573) can be seen in the Municipal Museums. Those who come to Zittau in the pre-Christmas period can ideally combine a visit to the market with a tour of these unique treasures.

Zittau, Upper Lusatia, and the Görlitz District

Zittau is located in the Görlitz district in Upper Lusatia. The city is the gateway to the Zittau Mountains—Germany's smallest low mountain range—and the starting point of the Zittau narrow-gauge railway to Oybin and Jonsdorf. A day trip to neighboring Polish Bogatynia or Czech Hrádek nad Nisou is easily accessible.