Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas Market 2026: Dates and Opening Hours
The Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt runs from 27 November to 23 December 2026. Here are the regular hours, the dated programme events and the nearby opening times that matter.
The Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt on Annaberg's market square is open from 27 November to 23 December 2026. Stalls open at 10:00 every day and close at 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday and at 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The Buchholz district adds a one-day market on Saturday 28 November. Every date, route and practical detail is collected in our Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas Markets 2026 guide (PDF).
Regular opening hours for 2026
The market on the main square runs for almost four weeks and keeps the same pattern throughout the season. Special events such as the pyramid opening or the miners' parade have their own starting times, which are separate from the general market hours.
Season: Friday 27 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026
Sunday to Thursday: 10:00-19:00
Friday and Saturday: 10:00-20:00
Location: the market square in Annaberg, beside Bergkirche St. Marien
Because the longer evenings fall on Fridays and Saturdays, a weekend visit gives you an extra hour under the lights. On weekdays the square is usually the easier choice if you prefer to browse slowly, although the guide does not give visitor numbers for specific days.
The dated events of the 2026 season
Some days have a clear theme. If you are travelling for a particular occasion, choose your date first and build the rest of the day around it.
27 November: season start. The ceremonial opening with the Christmas pyramid is announced for 17:00, with actors bringing the figures to life.
28 November: Buchholz holds its one-day Christmas market. In Annaberg, the Wichteldienste children's activities and the Wichtelstadt displays open at 13:30.
29 November: stollen-cutting on the market stage at 13:00, and a further event at the Erzhammer at 15:00.
6 December: miners' Advent, with miners' music on the stage and a service at 16:00 in St. Annenkirche.
13 December: Wichteladvent, an Advent Sunday with a family theme.
20 December: the grand miners' parade from 13:30.
23 December: final market day.
On the Sundays of Advent, short biblical scenes are also listed at the pyramid. Their starting time is not the same on all four Sundays, so check the specific date rather than applying one time to the whole season.
Opening times of churches and museums nearby
Many visitors combine the stalls with a cultural stop. These venues keep their own hours, and most close earlier than the market.
Bergkirche St. Marien: the miners' nativity scene can be seen daily 11:00-18:00 during the market.
St. Annenkirche: normally 11:00-17:00, including Advent Sundays. The tower opens on Saturdays 15:00-18:30 and Sundays 15:00-17:00.
Erzgebirgsmuseum: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays 10:00-17:00, plus Advent Mondays.
Frohnauer Hammer: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays 09:00-17:00, last tour at 16:00, plus Advent Mondays.
A practical order is to visit the church or museum in daylight and return to the illuminated square afterwards. Services and events can change church access at short notice.
Three date mistakes to avoid
The guide lists several seasonal planning traps. Three of them concern dates directly.
Parade day is not the last day: the miners' parade is on 20 December, but the market continues until 23 December.
Old leaflets: the programme page shows 2026 but still linked to a 2025 leaflet at the research date. Use information with explicit 2026 dates.
Buchholz details: the date of 28 November is confirmed, but the exact venue and hours were still open. Older annual programmes are no substitute.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market open on Mondays?
Yes. The market opens every day of the season from 10:00 to 19:00 on Mondays. Advent Mondays are also a good day for culture, as the Erzgebirgsmuseum and the Frohnauer Hammer both list extra opening, and special mine tours run on 30 November and 7, 14 and 21 December.
Is the market open on 24 December?
The guide gives 23 December 2026 as the final market day and lists no market dates for 24 December or later. If your trip falls over Christmas, check the official market page for any changes.
What time does the opening ceremony start?
The ceremonial opening with the Christmas pyramid is announced for 17:00 on 27 November 2026. Arrive a little earlier if you want to find a spot without pushing through the crowd.
Research status: 27 October 2026, as stated in the guide. Dates, times and prices are planning information and can change, so please check the official sources before travelling.
