Christmas time
in CHEMNITZ. ZWICKAU. REGION.
Between steaming mugs of mulled wine and twinkling shop windows, Advent here beats to something more than just Jingle Bells. Old factories shine in a coat of lights, castles and city centres turn into fairytale backdrops – sometimes opulent, sometimes charmingly quirky. The scent of crisp baking fills the air, and handmade treasures wait for curious finders. And if you listen closely, between porphyry cobblestones and gingerbread you can hear a Christmas song all of its own – somewhere between industrial charm and Christmas castles.
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Available dates: 2026-09-22 – 2027-10-22
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Schlösserweihnacht (Castle Christmas)
At the Schlösserweihnacht (Castle Christmas), things get festive behind historic walls: the scent of mulled wine meets vaulted cellars, Advent tours meet hands-on stations. At the castles of Rochlitz, Rochsburg, Wolkenburg, Osterstein in Zwickau and Colditz, the gates open on December weekends to sparkling courtyards full of character, charm and Christmas concerts.
Osterstein Castle, Zwickau
Christmas market "Zwickauer Schlossweihnacht"
Opening hours on Advent weekends:
- Friday: 14:00 to 21:00
- Saturday: 13:00 to 21:00
- Sunday: 13:00 to 20:00
Rochlitz Castle
Christmas market "Rochlitzer Schlossweihnacht"
Opening hours:
- Saturday, 13 December 2025:
14:00 to 20:00 - Sunday, 14 December 2025:
12:00 to 19:00
Rochsburg Castle
Romantic Advent market
Opening hours:
- Saturday, 20 December 2025:
11:00 to 18:00 - Sunday, 21 December 2025:
10:00 to 17:00
Wolkenburg Palace
Historic-romantic Christmas market
Opening hours:
- Saturday, 14 December 2025:
14:00 to 20:00 - Sunday, 15 December 2025:
14:00 to 18:00
Colditz Castle
26th Fairytale Castle Christmas (Märchen-Schlossweihnacht)
Opening hours:
- Saturday, 6 December 2025:
14:00 to 21:00 - Sunday, 7 December 2025:
11:00 to 18:00
Christmas markets
In CHEMNITZ. ZWICKAU. REGION., Christmas markets sparkle between castle walls and traditional handicrafts. Handmade goods, hearty treats and hot mugs await – everything that makes the festive season special.
Theatre, concerts & parades
Whether opera in Zwickau, an exhibition in Chemnitz or a parade in front of the castle – in CHEMNITZ. ZWICKAU. REGION. culture plays big. Contemporary art, symphonic sound and theatre with attitude meet here. And you are right in the middle of it.
Glück auf! Glück auf!
Der Steiger kommt!
When the first lights shine in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), Chemnitz and Zwickau open the Christmas season with their impressive Bergparaden (miners’ parades). Uniforms, bands and singing turn the cities into a stage of living tradition – a powerful declaration of origins and community.
Chemnitz
As the gateway to the Erzgebirge, Chemnitz opens the Christmas season on 28 November – with drums, trumpets and singing. Around 600 uniformed participants, 360 musicians and 20 miners’ singers give the city a festive kick-off every year. Every year, the parade shows impressively how alive mining customs still are today. Because once a year, Chemnitz becomes a stage for Christmas tradition.
Zwickau
When Zwickau awakens in Advent to the beat of marching music and mining tradition, it is time for the Bergparade. Around 400 uniformed participants and musicians march from the “Glück-Auf-Center” into the city centre on 12 December.
The history? Deeply rooted. From the silver of the Middle Ages to the black gold of coal to the uranium of modern times – mining has shaped Zwickau. Today it is honoured by miners, bands and candlelight in a procession that is more than folklore: a shining declaration of identity and origins.
Maker Advent
From 30 November to 30 December 2026, CHEMNITZ. ZWICKAU. REGION turns into a big Christmas workshop. Here you can build Schwibbögen (candle arches), bake biscuits, print cards or fold gift wrapping. Creatives from Chemnitz and the region open their doors and share their knowledge and passion.
No run-of-the-mill souvenirs are made here, but keepsakes with character. Between the glow of lights and wood dust grows what no online shop can deliver: real encounters.
