ADVENT 2026 · ANNABERG-BUCHHOLZ · GERMANY
Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market 2026: dates, places and opening times
The Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt runs from 27 November to 23 December 2026 on Annaberg's market square. A one-day market in Buchholz follows on 28 November, and the season builds towards the grand miners' parade on 20 December.
When is the Christmas market in Annaberg-Buchholz in 2026?
The Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt is open from 27 November to 23 December 2026 on the market square. Regular hours are Sunday to Thursday 10:00-19:00 and Friday and Saturday 10:00-20:00. The ceremonial opening with the Christmas pyramid is announced for 17:00 on 27 November. The Buchholz district holds its own one-day market on Saturday 28 November, although its venue and hours were still unconfirmed at the research date. The grand miners' parade starts at 13:30 on 20 December, and the market carries on for three more days after that.
- Season
- 27 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
- Hours
- Sun–Thu 10:00-19:00, Fri–Sat 10:00-20:00
- Buchholz
- One day: 28 Nov
- Miners' parade
- 20 Dec from 13:30
Which Christmas markets are there in Annaberg-Buchholz in 2026?
The town has two markets with very different calendars. Churches and museums add to Advent, but they keep their own hours.
Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt
The market on Annaberg's main square runs for almost four weeks, from 27 November to 23 December. 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 trader directory covers folk art, decorations, food and other gifts. The large Christmas pyramid and the stage are the focus of most programme events.
Buchholz Christmas market
The municipal calendar confirms a Christmas market in the Buchholz district on Saturday 28 November 2026, together with the ceremonial start of the Buchholz Christmas pyramid. The exact venue and opening hours were not yet published in the sources we reviewed. Ask the tourist information office before planning a combined visit, and search with the full town name to avoid other places called Buchholz.
Churches and museums
Bergkirche St. Marien, St. Annenkirche, the Erzgebirgsmuseum and the Frohnauer Hammer complement a market visit, but they are not additional Christmas markets. Several of them close earlier than the stalls, and services or events can limit sightseeing. Plan a cultural stop in daylight and return to the illuminated square afterwards.
What happens at the Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market on special days?
Some dates have a clear theme. Programme events have their own starting times, separate from the general market hours.
Opening with the pyramid
The ceremonial start is announced for 17:00 on 27 November, with a performance in which actors bring the figures of the large pyramid to life. Its design draws on the town's mining history. On the Sundays of Advent, short biblical scenes are listed at the pyramid, but their starting time differs from Sunday to Sunday, so check each date separately.
Wichtel days and stollen
The Wichteldienste children's activities and the Wichtelstadt displays open on 28 November at 13:30. A stollen-cutting ceremony is announced on the market stage at 13:00 on 29 November, the first Sunday of Advent. 13 December is announced as Wichteladvent, with a family theme.
Miners' Advent and parade
On 6 December the programme lists miners' music on the market stage and a miners' service at 16:00 in St. Annenkirche, followed by a ceremonial procession to the Bergkirche. The grand miners' parade starts at 13:30 on 20 December and ends with a joint musical finale outside St. Annenkirche. These are two separate events.
Which opening times matter near the market square?
A good Advent day in Annaberg combines the stalls with one cultural stop. These are the hours listed for the 2026 season.
Bergkirche St. Marien
The church stands directly beside the market square. Its miners' nativity scene, completed in 2015, has 32 carved figures that link the Christmas story with working life in the region. During the market the published visiting window is daily 11:00-18:00. Events can change access, so plan this visit before the evening.
St. Annenkirche and tower
The church is normally open 11:00-17:00, including Advent Sundays. The tower has separate Advent hours: Saturdays 15:00-18:30, Sundays 15:00-17:00 and 13:00-17:00 on parade day. Tourist visits are not possible during services. Step-free access to the church interior is through the tower entrance.
Erzgebirgsmuseum and mine
The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays, 10:00-17:00, with extra opening on Advent Mondays. The 'Im Gößner' silver mine in its courtyard is visited only with a guide, and advance registration is requested in Advent. Children must be at least six, and sturdy, closed footwear is required.
Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market 2026: key dates
The dated events from the 2026 programme as listed at the research date. Check the current programme, as one programme page still linked to a 2025 leaflet.
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27 Nov
Market opens
Season start on the market square; ceremonial opening with the Christmas pyramid announced for 17:00.
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28 Nov
Buchholz market and Wichtel opening
One-day Christmas market in Buchholz; in Annaberg the Wichteldienste activities and Wichtelstadt open at 13:30.
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29 Nov
Stollen day
Stollen-cutting ceremony on the market stage at 13:00; a further event at the Erzhammer is listed for 15:00.
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6 Dec
Miners' Advent
Miners' music on the stage, miners' service at 16:00 in St. Annenkirche and a procession to the Bergkirche.
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13 Dec
Wichteladvent
An Advent Sunday announced with a family theme.
-
20 Dec
Grand miners' parade
The parade starts at 13:30 and ends with a musical finale outside St. Annenkirche.
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23 Dec
Final market day
The market closes for the season; regular closing time on this Wednesday is 19:00.
Before you visit the Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market
The full Annaberg-Buchholz guide as a PDF
Our 50-page guide brings together every date, opening time and route for Advent 2026 in Annaberg-Buchholz. It separates confirmed details from those still awaiting confirmation and links to the original sources.
- All market and programme dates for 2026
- Six routes, including parade day and two markets on 28 November
- Churches, museums, mine tours, transport and parking
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of the Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market?
The Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt opens at 10:00 every day from 27 November to 23 December 2026. It closes at 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday and at 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Special events such as the pyramid opening, the stollen-cutting or the miners' parade have their own starting times, so check the programme for the date you plan to visit.
Is the Buchholz Christmas market the same as the Annaberg market?
No. Both belong to the town of Annaberg-Buchholz, but they have different calendars. The Annaberg market runs for several weeks on the main square, while Buchholz holds a one-day market on 28 November 2026. Note that Buchholzer Straße in central Annaberg is not automatically the location of the Buchholz market. Confirm the venue with the tourist information office.
When is the miners' parade in Annaberg-Buchholz in 2026?
The grand miners' parade is announced for Sunday 20 December 2026 from 13:30. The published route runs from Wolkensteiner Straße across the market square, along Buchholzer Straße to the theatre and back, then along Große Kirchgasse to St. Annenkirche, where the musicians' joint finale is planned. The market continues until 23 December.
Is the market open on Christmas Eve?
The guide gives 23 December 2026 as the final day of the Annaberg market and lists no market dates for 24 December or later. If you are in town over Christmas, check the official market page for any changes, and plan museum or church visits using their own published hours.
Where is the tourist information office in Annaberg-Buchholz?
The tourist information office is at Buchholzer Straße 2. It can answer questions about town tours and current activities, and it is the right place to ask about the Buchholz market details. Save the address before you travel so you do not need to search for it in a crowd.
More for your Advent trip
Research status 27 October 2026; Tabiara is an independent guide, not an official source, so please check the organisers' and venues' current information before travelling.