The big opening: Vienna Christmas Markets

There is hardly any other time of year in Vienna that shines as much as it does around Christmas! When the first snowflakes fall and the whole city is shrouded in dim fairy lights, we love to stroll straight to the Vienna Christmas markets. As gingerbread and speculoos boxes in the supermarket are always a delicious harbinger of the time when colourful lights with red cheeks will glow – whether from the cold or from the punch.

From mid-November to Christmas, the most beautiful places in Vienna are transformed into magical Christmas markets. The smell of Christmas baking, hot punch and roasted almonds is in the air. The old town and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights and put the city in the Christmas spirit.

Each and very year again …

At the Vienna Christmas market on Rathausplatz, a meter-high archway with candles will welcome visitors at the entrance from 10th November. The traditional Christmas market offers Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary delicacies, sweets and warming drinks. At the Eistraum at the Christmas market, ice skaters can skate around the romantically lit town hall park. A special attraction for lovers is the Herzerl tree. For children there is a twelve meter high merry-go-round and in the park a Christmas world with a reindeer train, nativity scene, children’s hut and its own ice skating rink.

Vienna winter wonderland

Not far away is the Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the Art History and Natural History Museums. During Advent there are around 70 stalls with traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas. The romantic Christmas village on the University of Vienna campus is also a popular meeting place in the run-up to Christmas, especially for students. With its children’s train and nostalgic carousel, the Christmas village on campus is also very popular with families. There are also two curling rinks available.

The Old Viennese Christmas Market on the Freyung in the city centre is committed to tradition. A Christmas market took place here as early as 1772, and today you can buy handicrafts, glass decorations, traditional nativity scenes and ceramics. From 4 p.m. there will be festive Advent music on the square. A few steps further you can also buy high-quality handicrafts at the Am Hof Christmas market. Christmas music and choral singing provide the appropriate accompaniment.

Amongst the flair of the palaces

The cultural and Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace enchants with its imperial setting and transforms into a New Year’s market after Christmas. The atmospheric market offers traditional crafts, handmade Christmas decorations, Christmas concerts and an extensive children’s program including an adventure star house, a farm carousel and a Christmas play trip.

The Christmas village at Belvedere Palace impresses visitors with its baroque backdrop. The unique castle park offers space for this tranquil Christmas market with fine handicrafts and culinary delights. The Advent market at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace is taking place for the third time this year and is still an insider tip for anyone looking for a quiet atmosphere.

The Christkind is on it’s way

At the 30th Art Advent on Karlsplatz, there will be a varied children’s programme and, above all, handicrafts for sale. Art installations, demonstration workshops and live bands also provide variety. The catering offering is wholly certified organic. At the Christmas market on Spittelberg in the idyllic little streets of the Biedermeier district there are also many stalls with handicrafts, but also many with culinary gift ideas. The Christmas market on Spittelberg will be run as an eco-event for the first time this year – with sustainable, local, fair and organic offerings.

Enjoyment and tradition

Contemplation and tradition are the focus of the Christmas village on Stephansplatz: The around 40 stalls at the foot of the Stephansdom offer high-quality products from Austria. The garden of the Palais Auersperg is being transformed into a culinary winter oasis for the first time this year. At the winter edition of the Palais Freiluft, punch, mulled wine, hot cocktails and champagne as well as cuisine from well-known restaurateurs will be served. There is also a pop-up Christmas market (Friday and Saturday).

Entertainment under the motto The Prater rocks is the focus of the winter market at Riesenradplatz. Till 8th January there are children’s adventure trips, live musical acts from gospel to soul to pop and a fun show program. The Almadvent in front of the Vienna Trade Fair conveys a rural character. In addition to the outdoor area, this Advent village also has several rustic culinary rooms, a craft room and a craft room for children. Ottakringer Christmas Magic invites you to visit the Ottakringer Brewery site – both outdoors and indoors in the market hall. This urban Christmas market offers culinary delights, creative handicrafts, curling and of course an Ottakringer beer punch from Thursday to Sunday.

Insider Tip: Parks & Gardens

The Christmas market in Türkenschanzpark offers a quiet park atmosphere with a Christmas touch. Right next to the Turkish fountain you can find culinary and handicrafts, such as glassblowers, jewellery and much more. The offer for children includes a craft workshop on the weekends. In addition to the Christmas market, the Hirschstetten flower gardens attract visitors with a Christmas exhibition: This year’s exhibition features Christmas fairy tales. The Christmas market offers organic food and drinks, regional delicacies, Christmas gifts and Christmas tree decorations.

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Pictures: Tourism Page & Pixabay