Dresden and Chemnitz satisfied with Christmas market
Dresden records a good year for its 591st Striezelmarkt. The mulled wine flowed in torrents. A baby carriage even ended up in the market's lost and found office. Chemnitz is also satisfied.
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Food banks in Saxony struggle with rising costs
Despite generous donations of goods, the food banks in Saxony are experiencing rising expenditure. The association is still dependent on support.
Sick over the holidays? On-call practices are open
Many doctors go on vacation over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Medical help is still available. The most important contact points in Saxony.
Slight decline in the number of tourists in Saxony
Tourism in Saxony has weakened somewhat this year. Experts also see a lack of major events as a reason for this. Nevertheless, the overall balance is considered to be good.
Kretschmer bemoans reform backlog in Germany
Germany needs more speed, but not a snail's pace, says Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister of Saxony. With regard to reforms, he still sees plenty of room for improvement.
Stele on Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg in Dresden inaugurated
Dresden is closely associated with the painter Caspar David Friedrich. A circular trail is currently being created in his footsteps.
AfD warns government - Ministry of the Interior reacts calmly
The AfD feels unfairly treated by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and speaks of "arbitrary" assessments. The Saxon Ministry of the Interior refers to the previous procedure.
Gonther new sports director at Dynamo Dresden
At the second attempt it works. The former professional succeeds Thomas Brendel, who has been released from his post.
Holidays make blood supply more difficult - DRK relies on donations
Life-saving blood products are in danger of becoming scarce, especially at the end of the year. The German Red Cross (DRK) is therefore offering extra dates for blood donations. It is advisable to register in advance.
Greens complain about gaps in GP care in eastern Saxony
Difficult diagnosis: there is a looming shortage of GPs in Upper Lusatia. Many practices are on the brink of closure and there is a lack of new blood. The Greens are calling for appropriate treatment.
EU funds for Saxony's farmers just in time for Christmas
This year's EU direct payments will soon end up in the accounts of around 7,000 farms. However, they could be cut in future. Saxony's Minister of Agriculture considers this to be a fatal signal.
Dynamo Dresden loan Jason Ceka from Elversberg
The team at the bottom of the table urgently needs to strengthen its squad. The former Magdeburg player is the number one new signing this winter.
AOK Plus: 76 million for parents with sick children
Parents can also rely on the extended entitlement to children's sick pay in the coming year, emphasizes a health insurance company. What families and the self-employed are entitled to.
Minister calls for caution when handling fireworks
Many serious firework accidents have occurred in Saxony in recent years. Meanwhile, Economics Minister Panter is hoping for common sense in dealing with fireworks.
Where Saxony stands with the hydrogen network - and what 2026 will bring
Where companies invest and jobs are created in the future also depends on the expansion of the hydrogen network. In Saxony, the expansion of the grid is making progress - 2026 is considered a key year.
Kiel turns around early deficit - Dresden remains at the bottom of the table
Dynamo take an early lead, but Holstein keep their cool and turn the game around. Harres and Nekic score for the "Storks".
Dresden volleyball players fulfill duty against Erfurt
The Dresden SC volleyball players have well and truly earned their short Christmas break. After a tough few weeks in England, they won their last home game of the year against Erfurt in commanding fashion.
Christmas Oratorio and anticipation of Bach's Mass in B minor
The Christmas season is something like the main season for the Dresden Kreuzchor. But we are already looking ahead to the highlight of the coming year
Electronic patient file in Saxony: everyday life with hurdles
The vast majority of practices in Bavaria now use electronic patient records. Nevertheless, many doctors still report hurdles. What is the current status?
DFB women in Dresden against Slovenia
Qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil is the focus for the 2026 women's national team. It kicks off with a home match in a stadium that the DFB has fond memories of.
Farmers' associations: Vaccinations not a blanket solution against epidemics
Comprehensive vaccinations against animal diseases are met with skepticism by East Germany's farmers' associations. Why the costs and benefits must be weighed up, especially for fattening animals.
No premium increase for AOK policyholders
The contribution for AOK policyholders in Saxony and Thuringia will remain unchanged in 2026. However, the Board of Directors is calling for reforms on the part of politicians.
What fans can expect at the Harry Potter exhibition
Original costumes and real props: The traveling exhibition about the famous young magician with the scar will be visiting Dresden in the coming months. Fans can also become active themselves.
IHK draws a sobering balance and is disappointed with the federal government
"A nice Christmas story sounds different," says Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce President Andreas Sperl. We are in a permanent slump. Entrepreneurs are particularly disappointed with the federal government.
Free rail travel with a Christmas costume in Dresden
A present for Santa Claus: With a red coat, hat, beard and sack, Santa and Mrs. Claus travel for free on buses and trains in the Dresden area on Christmas Eve.
Saxony or Thuringia: Which government has it easier?
Billion-euro gaps in both budgets, but different paths: the deputy prime ministers of Saxony and Thuringia on saving, debt and investment.
Dresden women's volleyball team achieves cup revenge
After two defeats in the cup and Bundesliga, Dresden SC's volleyball players showed their comeback qualities against Suhl.
Advent concert at the Dynamo Dresden stadium
Choral music instead of fan chants: every year, the stadium of third-division soccer club Dynamo Dresden becomes a stage for the Kreuzchor choir and other ensembles at the Advent concert.
Dresden Striezelmarkt receives award
More than 600 Christmas markets in Europe were put to the vote - and now Dresden's Striezelmarkt has been awarded a seal of excellence. It invites you to stroll around until Christmas Eve.
Dresden Striezelmarkt receives award
More than 600 Christmas markets in Europe were put to the vote - and now Dresden's Striezelmarkt has been awarded a seal of excellence. It invites you to stroll around until Christmas Eve.
Customers in Saxony hold back on Christmas shopping
Only around one in four retailers in Saxony is satisfied with Christmas sales so far. What is behind the reluctance to buy.
Emergency paving: an additional 12 million euros for infrastructure
Saxony's infrastructure is also ageing and in urgent need of renovation. The state is now providing additional money for this.
Köpping: "The worst prevented" with hospital savings package
Hospitals should not be overburdened in order to stabilize health insurance contributions. Following a compromise, the ball is now in the court of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Saxony extends rules for overnight stays in the national park
Less disturbance for peregrine falcons and co.: the ban on overnight stays in the national park during the breeding season will continue to apply in future. Saxony's environment minister sees this as a benefit for nature.
Ifo forecast: East German economy growing more slowly than expected
The good news: economic output in eastern Germany is growing. The bad news: Probably slower than assumed in the summer.
Dresden Central Station closed for several days in January and February
Construction work will temporarily paralyze Dresden Central Station in January and February. For rail customers, the closures mean replacement services and detour.
SC DHfK Leipzig fails in the cup quarter-finals
The Leipzig Bundesliga handball team wants to escape the dreary league routine in the cup. But they have no chance against the strong favorites from Lemgo.
Panter warns against watering down the combustion engine phase-out
Billions are already being invested in the electric revolution - but new EU plans could cause confusion. What Economics Minister Panter is now demanding for Saxony's car manufacturers.
Decision on the Waldschlößchenbrücke bridge stands
Nobody believed that Dresden's Waldschlößchenbrücke bridge would have to disappear again due to a lack of conditions. What conservationists criticize.
No all-clear for Saxony's forests
Every year, a report on the state of Saxony's forests is presented shortly before Christmas. The date resembles Groundhog Day: because the findings are almost always similar.
Saxony takes over chairmanship of the Conference for Gender Equality
"Better equal than later" is a saying of the women's movement. However, equality does not happen by itself. Politicians have to act and have created formats for this.
Stefan Engel new SPD state director
Stefan Engel from Dresden brings experience from local politics and will have a new position with the SPD in the future. His predecessor is moving to the state parliamentary group of the Social Democrats.
How can I help people on the street in winter?
Cold relief, warming rooms and other services are available in Saxony. But where? How can homeless people be supported on cold nights? An overview of some tips and contact points.
Hasko Weber new artistic director of the Staatsschauspiel Dresden
Home game for Hasko Weber - the Dresden-born director of the Staatsschauspiel in the state capital. The house is familiar to him.
Saxon cabinet approves Lusatia project
Lusatia is to become a European role model for green industry. The Saxon Minister of Economic Affairs speaks of a "historic opportunity".
Chemicals of concern detected in Dresden's waters
Substances that are considered harmful to health have been discovered in several bodies of water. The state capital has taken initial measures and is now looking for the cause.
Christmas children in Saxony get work permit
From Christmas markets to musicals: many children in Saxony slip into special roles around Christmas. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, the state directorate issues work permits.
Experts see Saxon cultural landscape at risk
Saxony likes to call itself a land of culture. But in view of tight budgets, the funding situation is not rosy in many places. Experts are now sounding the alarm.
Greens demand better protection for urban forests
There has recently been a lot of discussion in Germany about the cityscape. One thing is certain: a beautiful cityscape also includes a "green lung". The Greens are concerned about protecting them in Saxony.
Cultural foundation supports 200 projects with two million euros
Twice a year, the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony hands out money for projects. Over the next six months, 200 projects can now count on a grant.
Merkel's "Freedom" is one of Saxony's 2025 borrowers
What do Caroline Wahl and Angela Merkel have in common? They have both written bestsellers. Their books have been borrowed particularly frequently in Dresden and Leipzig this year.
Bucking the price trend: renovated apartments significantly more expensive
Property prices are falling - but renovated apartments of all things are becoming more expensive. Why the real estate market in Saxony is nevertheless showing signs of recovery.
After 24 years: Last VW rolls off the production line in Dresden
From Phaeton to e-Golf: after more than 165,500 cars, it's the end. The last VW is red and will remain in the Gläserne Manufaktur as a memento before the plant is rebuilt from next year.
In-store eye check - TK brings preventive care to the countryside
Eye check without a doctor's appointment: Techniker Krankenkasse is launching a pilot project for free eye checks directly in optical stores or via "Augenmobil".
Kretschmer: Minority government stable and on the right track
Saxony's head of government Michael Kretschmer wants to run for his party again in 2029. He does not believe the current minority government with the SPD is at risk.
Indoor swimming pools: Dresden will become more expensive, Chemnitz and Leipzig will not
Dresden raises indoor pool prices. What is the situation in other cities?
"First half was bottomless": Dynamo lose again
Dresden are outplayed for 45 minutes in the 3-2 defeat against Braunschweig. Coach Thomas Stamm apologizes, captain Stefan Kutschke also complains - especially about the first half.
Braunschweig strikes back late: 3:2 win in Dresden
Two completely different halves make for an entertaining second division match. In the end, the visitors were not entirely undeserving.
Dresden griffon vultures start a new life in northern Italy
Two griffon vultures from Dresden swap the zoo for the wild. The animals are to strengthen the population in the Alps near the city of Udine.
Dynamo Dresden test against Aarau at training camp
Dynamo Dresden will play two test matches at the winter training camp in Turkey. The first opponent has been announced.
Dresden-Munich flight connection to be maintained
Good news for passengers in Dresden: they will still be able to fly to the Bavarian capital in the future.
Saxony is heading for less than four million inhabitants
It has long been known that Saxony's population is shrinking. A new forecast shows that the population could fall below the four million mark as early as 2026.
Butter cheaper than it has been for a long time - farmers sound the alarm
Consumers should be happy about the low butter prices. Saxony's farmers, on the other hand, are warning of price pressure and see security of supply at risk.
16.24 million euros for Saxony's disadvantaged farmers
Difficult site conditions are a burden for many farms in Saxony. New subsidies are intended to secure their management and enable measures for more biodiversity.
New flight connection: Dresden now connected to Bolzano
The flight from Saxony to South Tyrol takes around 90 minutes - flights between Dresden and Bolzano are offered twice a week.
Almost 16 percent fewer laboratory animals in Saxony
The number of laboratory animals is falling. The decline is particularly marked in mice, on which scientists still experiment most frequently.
Pillnitz Palm House with new energy screen
The exotic plants in the Palm House also like to be warm in winter - and therefore cause high heating costs. 1,000 square meters of special fabric should help against this.
Günther proposes Saxony's participation in VW
The state of Lower Saxony has a stake in VW. Wolfram Günther, a Green politician from Saxony, has the same idea for Saxony. But the Free State has money worries anyway.
Dresden prefabricated building becomes an advent calendar
The windows of apartment blocks in Dresden-Prohlis are set to sparkle at a Christmas concert. The idea comes from the award-winning "Musaik" project, in which children from many countries form an orchestra.
Building applications at the click of a mouse - Dresden simplifies procedures
Piles of paper for building applications could soon be history in Dresden. In future, it will be possible to submit applications digitally. And it should also be easier to pay for decisions.
Rates of assessment in Saxony - hardly any additional burden from property tax
The majority of Saxony's local authorities are implementing the property tax reform in a revenue-neutral manner. Why there are still local differences in the rates of assessment.
Former minister calls for stricter rules after 95 environmental accidents
Slurry and liquid manure end up in Saxony's waters, but there are no consequences. Why former Environment Minister Günther is now pushing for tougher penalties and stricter controls.
Traffic blockades against fossil fuel heating planned
They see the future threatened by climate-relevant energy sources and therefore want to literally take to the streets - road users in Dresden should plan to do so on Thursday.
Kretschmer promotes more social "we"
Saxony's Minister President and the churches talk about uncertainty, individualization - and how a stronger "we" can emerge.
Highly endowed EU funding for Saxon researchers
Two researchers from Dresden and Leipzig are honored by the European Research Council. What the support is worth.
Forecast: up to 20 percent fewer pupils in Saxony by 2040
Over the next 15 years, pupil numbers in Saxony will plummet. For Culture Minister Clemens, this is the "saddest statistic in Saxony".
Saxony must compensate for a deficit of 2.9 billion euros
Saxony has to save billions and is struggling to find the right path. The finance minister is talking about an order of magnitude that has never been seen before.
More interest in joining the Bundeswehr in Saxony
More applications, more initial consultations and also more volunteers doing military service: The Bundeswehr is experiencing an upward trend in Saxony this year.
More interest in joining the Bundeswehr in Saxony
More applications, more initial consultations and also more volunteers doing military service: The Bundeswehr is experiencing an upward trend in Saxony this year.
Trump's tariffs affect local regions to varying degrees
What impact will the US tariffs have on the local economy? The Ifo Institute in Dresden has calculated the consequences down to the level of cities and districts. This is the result.
Project: Coal miners to produce chips in future
From the soot dust to the clean room: the change of job could hardly be starker. But the structural change in the lignite mining regions makes unusual paths necessary.
Large gap in shingles vaccination for older people in Saxony
Shingles is an insidious disease and mainly affects older people. Although health insurance companies cover the cost of vaccination, most people are not adequately protected.
Greens want clarity on integration projects
Funding applications rejected, future uncertain: initiatives are sounding the alarm because integration work in Saxony is in danger of falling by the wayside. The Greens insist on transparency.
Company bankruptcies on the rise in Saxony
The number of corporate insolvencies continues to rise in Saxony - but remains below the national average. What is behind this development and which sectors are affected.
Saxon government goes on budget retreat
Saxony's government is faced with squaring the circle when drawing up the new budget. There are billions of euros missing to continue the current spending. Good advice is now expensive.
1:3 in Kaiserslautern: Harmless Dynamos start too late
Dresden fail to score in the first half. By the time Dynamo scored, the game was already over.
3:1 against Dresden: Kaiserslautern keeps in touch with the top
Second division soccer team 1. FC Kaiserslautern wins at home against Dynamo Dresden. One Finn in particular shines for FCK.
Parade and XXL Striezel: Dresden celebrates Stollen Festival
It is 2.8 meters long and weighs more than two tons: this year's Dresden Giant Stollen. Before it is cut, it first goes on tour through the city center in a festive parade.
Beaver families allowed to stay in Upper Lusatia
A pond owner was annoyed by the damage and wanted to get rid of the animals. Permission to relocate the animals had been granted. However, the administrative court found that the requirements for this had not been met.
Expert opinion: Eleven percent of Saxons with a migration background
In Saxony, one in nine people has a migration background. What a new report on age, origin and integration reveals - and where there is a need to catch up, according to the ministry.
Saxony wants to attract more dentists to the province
For the left, the regulation is "only enough for the hollow tooth". Nevertheless, the creation of a quota for dentists in rural areas is generally welcomed.
Without Prtajin: FCK wants to shake off frustration against Dresden
Only one win from six competitive matches: 1. FC Kaiserslautern urgently needs points. Coach Lieberknecht has confidence in his team, but the goalscorer will be out for a long time.
Significantly more fatal accidents on construction sites
Several fatal accidents have already occurred on Saxony's major construction sites this year. The authorities see a particular problem in the negligence of some builders.
"Everyone needs craftsmen"
Paulina Ließner prefers a paintbrush to a laptop. Across Saxony, interest in apprenticeships in the skilled trades is on the rise - despite digitalization and AI. Or is that precisely why?
Dittrich re-elected president of the skilled crafts sector
More than 5.6 million people work in the skilled trades. Why President Dittrich is now calling for a reduction in bureaucracy and tax relief - and what bothers the Dresden native about politics.
Kretschmer calls for more speed in reforms
"Germany's speed" should not be a snail's pace, says Saxony's head of government Michael Kretschmer and insists on the rapid implementation of reforms.
Transport associations in eastern Saxony want to merge
From 2026, two large transport associations in eastern Saxony want to work together. What will change for passengers and why a standardized ticket is planned.
Kretschmer considers Bas' apology appropriate
Federal Minister of Labor Bas is being criticized for her statements on employers. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer also has a clear opinion on the matter.
Greens call for an end to private New Year's Eve fireworks in Saxony
Every New Year's Eve causes stress for animals and rescue services. The Green Party is pushing for an end to private fireworks and proposing alternatives.
Folding bike transport: no more "bag rule" on buses and trains
Several transport associations in Saxony are abolishing the bag requirement for folding bikes on local transport. What this means for commuters and travelers in Dresden, Leipzig and other cities.