Please sign in to post.

Berlin / Dresden , christmas and NYE

Hey everyone,

we have planned to go to Berlin on 26/Dec and depart 01/Jan. We will be with out 10 year old kids and also my father/mother in law.

After some search we thought to split our trip:
26/Dec-30/Dec - Berlin
30/Dec-01/Jan - Dresden.

We read that Dresden is wonderful during christmas (although we dont know how many markets would still be open) and also we dont want to be in Berlin during the last 2 days of the year, as we undertand might be very frightening with the fireworks.

Is the above a good idea? Maybe we should just stay all our trip in Berlin? Any suggestions would be highly appreciated!
Thanks

Posted by
95 posts

At least two Christmas markets in Dresden will be open (medieval market in the Royal Palace courtyard "Stallhof" and Augustusmarkt at Hauptstraße pedestrian zone), most likely another one of the big markets at Neumarkt square, too.

Posted by
9225 posts

Just be aware that no matter where you go in Germany, there will be a ton of fireworks on NYE, except for possibly the towns that have lots of wooden buildings. These are outstanding fireworks, not just sparklers and cherry bombs. They will be legal to buy the 3 days before NYE and every store will sell them. You 10 year olds may want some too. Just carry them in an extra bag though, not in a back pack on your back.

Posted by
1511 posts

The website I use for Christmas Market dates shows Dresden closing on the 24th. Two of the markets in Berlin will stay open until New Years. Note that 26 DEC is a Federal Holiday. Very little will be open anywhere in Germany. Major museums...maybe.

As Ms Jo notes everywhere will have fireworks NYE. Lots of them, until 2 am normally. They sell them in the grocery stores.

Posted by
95 posts

Dresden:

https://augustusmarkt.de/
(until 5 January but closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan)

https://www.mittelalter-weihnacht.de/
(closed 23 Dec, opens again 27-30 Dec and 2-6 Jan)

https://www.adventaufdemneumarkt.de/home.html
(closed 24-26 Dec, opens again 27-30 Dec and 2-5 Jan)

In nearby charming town Pirna (20 min by commuter train):
https://canalettomarkt.de/
(closes 23 Dec, opens again 27-30 Dec)

In nearby picturesque town Meissen:
https://meissner-weihnacht.de/
(called "Winter market", just the same as the Christmas market, 25 Dec - 1 Jan)

Posted by
1511 posts

A co-worker who's from that area recommends staying in Meissen instead of Dresden. You might look at that.