Spuren am Körnerplatz
Achim Jannasch
A childhood in Dresden-Loschwitz. Achim Jannasch recalls growing up around Körnerplatz.
View on AmazonThe Elbhangfest Christmas Market in Loschwitz
In Advent the old village core of Loschwitz becomes a Christmas market. Wooden huts stand in front of the half-timbered houses of Friedrich-Wieck-Straße, the village square around the Senfbüchse serves mulled wine, yeast dumplings and doughnuts, and a small stage has music every day. It is run by the same association that organises the Elbhangfest in summer. In 2026 the market takes place for the 28th time.
Dates and opening hours 2026
The 28th Elbhangfest Christmas market is open daily from Saturday 5 December to Sunday 20 December 2026. Times according to the association, as of October 2026:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 1 pm to 8 pm |
| Friday | 1 pm to 9 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am to 9 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am to 8 pm |
The association publishes any short-notice changes at elbhangfest.de.
The market
The plain huts are styled after Ludwig Richter, who painted in Loschwitz, and stand close together between Körnerplatz and the village square. About 40 traders, craftspeople and caterers take part. Familiar stalls include the Olivenhaus, the woodworkers Holzgestaltung Türke, the Bärenstein dairy sheep farm and ceramics by Hanno Leischke. New in 2026 are a nut butter maker from Dresden's Neustadt and the SchwebeCafé, normally found at the upper station of the suspension railway.
There is one change at the upper end of the market: the Galerie Blaue Brücke has given up its premises, so the former indoor Christmas market is gone. The rooms are now home to the Kunstraum Loschwitz, an artists' cooperative gallery.
Opening with elves and Stollen
The market opens on Saturday 5 December at 11 am at the stage, accompanied by the brass choir of the Loschwitz parish. Then children from the 62nd primary school, dressed as elves, lead the traders one by one to their huts. Only when every elf has delivered "their" trader is the market officially open. To round off the opening, Kaffee Wippler from Körnerplatz cuts the Stollen.
Programme on the stage, in the Senfbüchse and in the church
On the stage in the middle of the market, local musicians, choirs, children's and school groups perform every day, along with storytellers. Some dates from the 2026 programme:
- At weekends the theatre duo bemmann | felber performs "Der Kleine Muck" (Little Muck) in the Senfbüchse, a mini show for children and adults.
- Advent vespers in the Loschwitz church on 5 and 12 December, each at 5 pm. On 13 December at 5 pm the Dresdner Motettenchor sings there.
- On 19 December De Erbschleicher from Schwarzenberg host an Ore Mountains Hutzenabend, a traditional fireside evening.
- On the last day, 20 December, Tim Schreiber performs window theatre, and the Nierentische close the market.
There is also a Christmas quiz with prizes from the shops around the market. The full programme is published by the association.
Getting there and parking
During opening hours Fidelio-F.-Finke-Straße is closed between the old fire station and the junction with Dammstraße and Friedrich-Wieck-Straße. The car park at the old fire station can then only be reached via Winzerstraße, Amtsstraße and Ratsstraße. The association strongly asks visitors to come by bus or tram or to park outside the village core, as there is no parking at the market. The simplest way is on foot from Blasewitz across the Blaues Wunder bridge, a few minutes' walk. More on the getting here page.
Helping and supporting
The market is largely set up by volunteers. The association looks for helpers to load the huts at its store in Radeburg on 2 December, to set up on 3 December and to dismantle on 21 December. No special skills are needed, and there is a hot lunch. For the stage programme the association asks for donations towards the artists' fees.
Frequently asked questions about the Loschwitz Christmas market
When is the Christmas market in Loschwitz in 2026?
From 5 to 20 December 2026, daily. It opens on Saturday 5 December at 11 am at the stage.
Where is the Elbhangfest Christmas market?
In the old village core of Loschwitz, on Friedrich-Wieck-Straße between Körnerplatz and the village square around the Senfbüchse, right by the Blaues Wunder bridge.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Thursday 1 pm to 8 pm, Friday 1 pm to 9 pm, Saturday 11 am to 9 pm, Sunday 11 am to 8 pm, according to the association as of October 2026.
Can you park at the Christmas market?
No, there is no parking at the market and Fidelio-F.-Finke-Straße is closed during opening hours. The association recommends public transport.
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Further reading on Loschwitz
Two books for anyone who wants to read more about Loschwitz and Dresden. Both are in German.
Dresden Reiseführer 2026–2027
Kevin R. Hoff
A full-colour travel guide to the whole city, for everything beyond Loschwitz.
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