Bimmelbahn & Lichterglanz — Weißeritztalbahn

On the first Advent weekend the Weißeritztalbahn of the SDG Sächsische Dampfeisenbahngesellschaft turns its line from Freital-Hainsberg to Kurort Kipsdorf into what the operator calls a "befahrbarer Weihnachtsmarkt". The operator lists the regional transport association VVO, the Ore Mountains tourism association TVE and partners at the stations as co-organisers.

The themed stations — Freital-Hainsberg, Rabenau, Malter, Dippoldiswalde, Obercarsdorf, Schmiedeberg and Kurort Kipsdorf — are strung along the line like pearls on a string, and you can get off wherever you like. The operator describes Ore Mountain traditions coming alive: craftspeople to watch at work, making your own incense cones, crafts with children, a cup of hand-made mulled wine by the fire, winter sports "like in grandfather's day" and a hand in pushing a Christmas pyramid. On the Sunday the Nikolaus walks through the train and gives small gifts to the youngest passengers.

The operator calls the Weißeritztalbahn the longest-serving narrow-gauge railway in Germany, and says it carries visitors from one Christmas market to the next.

Ride the narrow-gauge steam line between themed stations and get off wherever you like: craftspeople at work, making incense cones, children's crafts, mulled wine by the fire, old-fashioned winter sports and a Christmas pyramid to push. On the Sunday the Nikolaus walks through the train and gives small gifts to the youngest passengers.

The line starts at Freital-Hainsberg station, Dresdner Straße 280, 01705 Freital (RB 30 and S-Bahn S3 from Dresden and Chemnitz, city bus line 160). A special timetable applies; the operator says there are always enough seats for spontaneous visitors. A special day ticket is valid on all trains and the designated shuttle buses between Freital-Hainsberg and Kurort Kipsdorf; children up to 14 travel free with an adult. Holders of a Deutschlandticket can buy the SDG historic-train supplement, which counts as a day ticket. Advance sale opens in the SDG online shop and at ticket points in Freital-Hainsberg, Dippoldiswalde, Dresden and Moritzburg. The regional tourism association offers a package with an overnight stay and entry to the Christmas exhibition in the Dippoldiswalde town museum.