Marktplatz

A Christmas Discovery Tour through Annaberg-Buchholz When the first lights shine in Annaberg-Buchholz, Schwibbögen glow in the windows and the town unfolds its very special Christmas magic, a centuries-old tradition becomes tangible: the close connection between mining and Christmas. On my tour “Lichterglanz & Bergmannszauber,” I take you on a leisurely walk through the historic old town of Annaberg-Buchholz. Together, we discover the town from a Christmas perspective and get to the bottom of the stories that continue to shape the Ore Mountains to this day. This is not about simply listing dates and facts. I want to tell you the stories behind the places and show how a very special Ore Mountains Christmas tradition emerged from mining history. Why do miners stand in our windows? Where do Schwibbögen and pyramids come from? Why are mining and Christmas so closely linked in the Ore Mountains? We will explore these and many other questions together during our walk. What can you expect? During the approximately 1.5-hour walk through the historic old town, you can expect: - exciting stories about Annaberg-Buchholz and its past - interesting facts about mining and the miners’ tradition - insights into the lives and work of the people in the historic Ore Mountains - stories about the origins and significance of Ore Mountains Christmas traditions - interesting facts about Schwibbögen, pyramids and miner figures - the connection between mining, craftsmanship and Christmas - special places and details in the old town that are easy to overlook on a normal stroll through

An oversized market Christmas pyramid, enormous Christmas tree, elf services for children, miner events, traditional events, handcraft presentations, and regional treats reminiscent of food straight from Grandma's oven all lend special flair to the event. The market Christmas pyramid tells the stories of Christmas, the city, and the local mining industry. Genuine Ore Mountain woodworking can be seen in the design that is both traditional and modern. Incense cones, Christmas fragrances, Annaberg folded stars, and over 80 lovingly decorated booths together with festive Advent and Christmas music create a very unique atmosphere that visitors far and near know to love and cherish. The Christmas market's offerings are complemented by so-called "Christmas Worlds", the Factory of Dreams, the Miner's Nativity at St. Marien Mountain Church, and the Erzhammer Christmas House together with Advent concerts and nativity reenactments in St. Anne's Church. Opening hours: Sun.-Thu. 10:00am - 7:00pm Fri.-Sat. 10:00am - 8:00pm