With the holidays just around the corder, signs of Christmas are beginning to spring up across the world. The festive season has begun in the German city of Dresden, as decorations and mulled wine dot the city's famous Christmas market. Over the next few weeks, tens of thousands of people are expected to visit the market to eat, drink and take in some holiday music.

It is a tradition that dates back centuries. The annual Christmas market opens with a procession from the Dresden Church of the Holy Cross to the main market square in the city. A woman dressed as an angel and a man dressed as a miner, both with candles in their hands, lead the marching band.

And before you know it the city's bakers appear with an oversize Christmas cake.

This is the traditional opening of the Dresden Striezelmarkt, the longest running Christmas market in Germany and one of the longest running markets in the world.

The market was started on the orders from Emperor Friedrich II who stated that a market should be held in Dresden in the days before Christmas so people would be able to get their hands on some meat for the coming festivities.

The market has grown from then and now more than 240 traders set up their stalls to sell anything from Christmas decorations to food and of course - mulled wine.

Earlier in the day, the start of the market was celebrated with a service at the Church of the Holy Cross, which dates back to the 13th century. As per centuries of tradition, the Church's famous boys' choir sang the traditional Christmas songs and hymns.

But it's when night falls and the lights twinkle that the market starts to sparkle.

The Striezelmarkt in Dresden is open daily from 10am to 9pm and will be offering visitors a chance to soak in the holiday spirit.

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