Called Striezelmarkt, these markets have been dated as far back as 1435, and the tradition continues today with more than 250 stalls around a towering Christmas tree at the Altmarkt in Dresden's city center. Musical performances, including singing by the Kreuzchor Boy's Choir, fill the market on Saturdays. Dating to 1767, Leipzig's Christmas market is nearly as old as that of Nuremberg's, and almost as popular a tourist attraction. An antique nativity scene with live sheep is the central attraction, as is a massive tree bedecked in white lights. An area called Kinderland caters to children with rides, dancing, fairy tale performances, hands-on arts and crafts, and a children's cafe.
Music plays a vital role in the market as well.
The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the St. Thomas Boy's Choir perform Christmas carols and other holiday tunes. There are also trumpeters in medieval costumes playing from the Renaissance Town Hall towers above the market. Next to the main market sprawls the Naschmarkt, which spotlights the ages-old trades of woodcarving and candle making. Baker, weavers, and blacksmiths also show off their talents at the Naschmarkt. This is considered by the Guinness Book of Records to be the world's largest Advent calendar, and there are performers and musicians on site to act out the daily change in scenes.