The Dessau Advent Market runs from 23 November to 23 December 2026, and the ice rink stays open until 3 January 2027. On Sunday 29 November, shops in the city centre are open. On the same weekend (27 to 29 November), Wörlitz celebrates First Advent.
When is the Dessau Advent Market 2026?
The market opens on Monday 23 November 2026 at 10:00 and closes on 23 December at 20:00. At 15:00 Mayor Dr. Robert Reck opens the market with the traditional cutting of the first stollen.
Opening hours according to the organiser:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 10:00 to 20:00 |
| Friday and Saturday | 10:00 to 21:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 to 20:00 |
| 24 and 25 December | closed |
The real-ice rink is open from 23 November to 3 January 2027. The organiser has not published prices yet. You can find the current programme at dessauer-adventsmarkt.de (in German).
Is 29 November a shopping Sunday?
Yes. According to the city marketing office, there is a shopping Sunday (verkaufsoffener Sonntag) on 29 November 2026, announced for 13:00 to 18:00 (Visit Dessau, Rathaus-Center). Shops in the city centre are open, so you can pick up the first Christmas presents and combine your shopping trip with a visit to the Advent Market. Each shop decides for itself whether to open and for how long. If in doubt, ask first or check the shop’s Google profile.
What is on for First Advent in Wörlitz?
From 27 to 29 November 2026, Wörlitz opens the pre-Christmas season. There is a market, Christmas music and entertainment. At Wörlitz Castle:
- Friday: torchlight tours at 17:00 and 17:30
- Saturday and Sunday: short tours at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00
- Saturday and Sunday, 13:00 to 16:00: children and families make Advent lanterns at the Haus der Fürstin
The Haus der Fürstin is open from 2 November to 6 January, Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 (closed 24 to 26 December and New Year’s Day). Entry is 3 euros, and children up to 16 go free. Tickets: tickets.gartenreich.de.
Are there other Christmas markets in Dessau and Roßlau?
Yes. Besides the Advent Market, there are several smaller Advent and Christmas markets in Dessau and Roßlau, plus concerts and special city tours. The city plans to collect an overview at visitdessau.com/advent. For single dates such as concerts, see our overview Events in Dessau-Roßlau.
Where can we hold a company Christmas party?
New on offer: a guided tour of the brewery “Zum alten Dessauer”. The master brewers explain how the different beers are made, and the tour ends with a tasting with bread and dripping. It can be booked as a group tour through the tourist information office, for example for a company or club Christmas party. Details: visitdessau.com/fuehrungen/gruppenangebote. The next public tour is on 2 December at 17:00. Tickets via alter-dessauer.de.
Tip for shops: add special opening hours on Google
If you open on 29 November, show it on Google. Otherwise customers stand in front of a closed door, or do not come at all.
- Open your Google Business Profile.
- Under “Special hours”, add 29 November with your times.
- Write a short post: “Shopping Sunday on 29 Nov, we are open from … to … for you.”
- Check that the times on your website and in your profile match.
Why a well-kept Google profile brings so much is explained in Google Business Profile for Tradespeople. The tip works for every shop in Dessau-Roßlau.
Sources
- Dessauer Adventsmarkt: opening hours and programme (as of 6 November 2026, in German)
- City of Dessau-Roßlau: Amtsblatt (official gazette) no. 11, November 2026, “Neues aus dem Stadtmarketing” (page 15) and “Informationen aus dem Gartenreich” (page 17), in German
- Kulturstiftung Dessau-Wörlitz: Gartenreich
