Blog post - 15. Dec 2025

The first neighborhood Christmas market in Pölbitz is a prime example of what commitment and participation can achieve and how necessary community work is for Zwickau.

Last Saturday, a new tradition may have been born on the forecourt of the Neue Welt on Leipziger Straße in Pölbitz. The first small neighborhood Christmas market took place on the edge of the wonderful Neue Welt Park. Volunteers from Pölbitz and committed stakeholders in the neighborhood, including CVJM Zwickau e.V., the Neue Welt concert and ballroom, the Achat Hotel Zwickau, and the Alte Gasometer with its Engagiert im Quartier project, lovingly organized and implemented the event. Christmas lights shone everywhere and the blazing fires at the fire pits invited visitors to linger.

Shortly after it began, the square filled up very quickly. People from Pölbitz and all over Zwickau were curious and pleasantly surprised by what was on offer. The atmosphere was relaxed. Visitors chatted and enjoyed the afternoon together. Thanks to high demand, the barbecue stand was constantly busy. In addition to regional roasted meats, poultry and plant-based alternatives were also offered.

The small but well-thought-out selection provided plenty of variety. Flea market stalls allowed visitors to buy spontaneous gifts. Women from Pölbitz and Eckersbach volunteered to bake cakes and sell them. The stall next door offered handmade cookies, and the smell of roasted almonds and candied walnuts did the rest. A painting station offered children Christmas-themed coloring pictures. Santa Claus made his rounds and brought smiles to many children’s faces. In exchange for a short poem, they were rewarded with a chocolate Santa Claus.

A highlight of the afternoon was the dance performance by the TSC Silberschwan children’s dance group at around 3:30 p.m. The children enriched the neighborhood Christmas market with their energy and lively dance routines, which even got some of the guests moving for a while. The entire event was organized by volunteers and local community members. This included setting up and taking down the event as well as all of the planning beforehand.

The consistently positive feedback was particularly pleasing to the “new” volunteers, as it quickly showed what their own commitment can achieve for others. Many visitors expressed their desire for the neighborhood Christmas market to continue. The successful premiere in Pölbitz shows how important and valuable such offerings are for promoting participation, diversity in the neighborhood, and opportunities for co-creation.