An overview of the Christmas markets in Vienna in 2023 and the best insider tips. Plus: Christmas markets in Vienna as pdf for downloading.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… This is also the motto of the Austrian capital now, as the construction work for this year’s Christmas markets – usually referred to as Christkindlmärkte in Vienna – is already in full swing. Here is a list of all the markets in Vienna, including opening dates and Travel Compass inside tips:
Christmas market on Rathausplatz
Vienna’s Christmas market on Rathausplatz is probably the best-known and largest in the city. It is know as Wiener Christkindlmarkt. With its numerous stalls, light spectacles, and events such as live music and an ice rink, Rathausplatz is a hotspot for Christmas lovers.
Dates: 10 Nov to 26 Dec; from 10 am to 10 pm (except 24 Dec: 10 am to 6 pm)
Travelcompass Inside Tip:
- If you want to go ice skating, you should buy your tickets in the online shop to avoid long queues.
- The punch stands further back are an insider tip, as many people tend to choose the first ones they see, while there are fewer crowds and more quality near the town hall building.
Schönbrunn Palace Culture and Christmas Market
The Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace is smaller than the one on Rathausplatz but is still a must – especially because of the unique backdrop.
Dates: 18 Nov to 23 Dec
- from 10 am to 9 pm
- 24 Dec from 10 am to 4 pm
- 25 Dec to 4 Jan from 10 am to 6 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tip:
- Choirs and a cappella groups perform live Christmas music to create a special Christmas atmosphere.
- Try Bauer’s jacket potatoes and Gelbmann’s Leberkäse & Punsch for those wh, and “Kaiserschmarrn Schilcherglühwein” for the sweet ones.
Art Advent at Karlsplatz
For 30 years, the Christmas market on Vienna’s Karlsplatz has been impressing visitors with regional delicacies as well as a wide variety of arts and crafts. Start: 24 Nov to 23 Dec each day from noon to 8 pm
Dates: 24 Nov to 23 Dec each day from noon to 8 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- Karlsplatz is a hotspot for young Christmas fans, especially because of the straw landscape with rare domestic animals and the extensive children’s program such as the star workshop or the sky tent.
- The hungry should stop by the Lukashof with its Styrian specialties or Jörg Gebauer’s Burgenland delicacies.
- The fire tongs punch from Saeeid Pour Jahani is also a must.
Christmas market on Spittelberg
The motto at Spittelberg this year is “eco-friendly”. The focus is on organic, vegan/vegetarian and regional products, which gives the Christmas market a sustainable and resource-saving touch in addition to its romantic ambiance.
Dates: 16 Nov to 23 Dec:
- Monday to Thursday from 2 pm to 9 pm
- Friday from 2 pm to 9:30 pm
- Saturday from 10 am to 9:30 pm
- Sundays & public holidays from 10 am to 9 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tip:
- A cooperation with the Filmhaus Spittelberg provides a special Advent atmosphere in the form of an Advent cinema with classics of children’s film literature, every Friday and Saturday from 17 November to 23 December (free admission for children and young people up to the age of 18).
Christmas market Am Hof
The Christmas Market am Hof is in the heart of Vienna’s city center and creates a pre-Christmas atmosphere with the help of more than 50 exhibitors of handmade works of art and gastronomic delicacies. Dates: 10 November to 23 December:
- Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays from 10 am to 9 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tip:
- The soup in bread from Schwarzhirsch and the pretzels from Asas Gastro are particularly good.
Old Viennese Christmas market on the Freyung
The first Christmas market in Vienna dates to 1722 and took place on the Freyung. More than 300 years later, the Freyung is still home to one of the most rustic and cozy Christmas markets. Dates: 17 Nov to 23 Dec from 10 am to 9 pm
Travel Compass Inside Tips:
- Musical performances by choirs and music ensembles, puppet shows, and arts and crafts take place daily on the stage in the market square. The artisans provide insights into their craftsmanship and invite visitors to join in.
- Be sure to try out the baking skills of Ludo’s team – baking according to old tradition is the motto here.
Christmas market MuseumsQuartier
The motto there is “Design and art meet Christmas”. Compared to other Christmas markets, the one at the MQ impresses every year with its spectacular art and light projects. This year’s light installation „Winter of Love“ was created by media artist Julia Zdarsky (starsky).
Dates: 8 Nov to 23 Dec
- Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday, Sunday, public holidays from 2 pm to 11 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- For sports enthusiasts, there is a curling rink, where competitions are also held, as well as the „Winter Race“, where remote-controlled cars race in the MQ’s water basin.
- On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm to 10 pm, live DJs provide a special atmosphere.
Belvedere Christmas Village
The Christmas market at Belvedere Palace with its baroque Christmas ambiance is the opposite of the Christmas market in the MuseumsQuartier. The backdrop of the famous sight creates a particularly romantic and typical Advent atmosphere.
Dates: 17 November to 23 December
- Monday to Friday from 11 am to 9 pm
- Saturday, Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm
- 24 Dec from 11 am to 4 pm 25 to 26 Dec from 11 am to 7 pm
- The New Year’s Eve village takes place from 27 Dec to 31 Dec, from 11 am to 7 pm; on 31 Dec until 6 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tip:
- There is a children’s railway for the little ones, while parents can sample the delicacies and crafts of the exhibitors.
- Be sure to try the Viennese Feuerzangenbowle.
Advent at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace
One of the newest Christmas markets is located in the Liechtenstein family’s garden palace. For the third time, it provides an Advent and contemplative atmosphere in Vienna’s 9th district.
Dates: 17 Nov to 23 Dec
- Thursday and Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm
- Saturday, Sunday, public holidays from 11 am to 9 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- As the Advent market is not one of the „classics“, it is definitely an insider tip for both young and old.
- The nativity scene show and the merry-go-round provide an Advent feeling for younger visitors, while the older generations should definitely try the flambé cake, Baumkuchen and mulled wine.
Christmas village on Stephansplatz
Not too far from the Christmas market on Karlsplatz is the Christmas village on Stephansplatz. Right next to Vienna’s most popular sight, there are numerous stalls offering a range of Christmas treats and handicrafts.
Dates: 10 Nov to 26 Dec
- each from 11 am to 9 pm
- 24 Dec from 11 am to 4 pm
- 25 and 26 December from 11 am to 7 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- An insider tip for escaping the hustle and bustle of the Christmas village is „Winter in the City“ in the inner courtyard of Haas & Haas, one of Austria’s most famous tea houses. You should definitely try the apricot punch there.
- The Christmas village is the perfect place to pick up traditional handicrafts from regional businesses.
- A photo in front of the famous giant Christmas tree is a must.
Winter market Prater Vienna
The motto here is: „The Prater rocks“. The Vienna Prater is not only a highlight in the warmer seasons, but also in winter, especially because of the live concerts by mainly local artists – from gospel to pop, there is something for everyone.
Dates: 18 Nov to 7 Jan
- Monday to Friday from noon to 10 pm
- Saturday, Sunday & public holidays from 11 am to 10 pm 24 Dec from 11 am to 5 pm 31 Dec from 11 am to 2 am
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- This Christmas market is more rock’n’roll than Silent Night, Holy Night. A good change from the other, more typical Christmas markets.
- If you’re more of a fan of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s festivities, you shouldn’t miss the fireworks at midnight on 31 December and the New Year’s concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which will be streamed live at the Prater Christmas Market on 1 January from 11 am.
Christmas village on the Campus of the University of Vienna
This Christmas market is celebrating its 24th birthday this year. Since 1999, the University of Vienna’s Christmas village has been impressing visitors with its traditional Austrian Christmas atmosphere.
Dates: 10 Nov to 23 Dec
- Monday to Wednesday from 2 pm to 10 pm
- Thursday and Friday from 2 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- What makes this Christmas market so special are the show acts on the weekends (always from 2 to 6 pm), from light shows to artists on stilts, there is certainly something for everyone.
- Don’t miss out on seeing Father Christmas, Miss Santa and her Christmas elves and the Christkind.
Alm Advent at the exhibition centre
This Christmas market is themed around different villages. Culinary delights can be found in the gourmet village with various delicacies such as soups of all kinds or traditional biscuit specialties. The family village has everything for children, such as craft stations that allow the little ones to make their own presents. In the event village you have the opportunity to organise your own celebrations of different sizes, old wooden huts can be hired for 24 to 450 people. In the gift village you can find presents for your loved ones.
Dates: 23 Nov to 22 Dec
- Alm Advent: Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to 8 pm, Sunday from noon to 8 pm
- Genussdorf: Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to midnight, Sunday from noon to 8 pm
- Family village: Monday to Saturday from 3 pm to 7 pm, Sunday from noon to 7 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- The fairground is a must for Advent lovers this year, as its perfect layout guarantees a relaxed and non-chaotic Advent market visit.
- Especially a highlight for families.
- A must for Christmas parties for families, friends or companies.
Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz (museums)
Maria Theresien Platz, also known as “Zwidemu” (between the museums), was the site of rave parties in warmer times this year, now “Last Christmas” and “Silent Night, Holy Night” are on the program. Now punch stands, pre-Christmas treats and arts and crafts of all kinds can be found between the Art and Natural History Museums. Dates: 15 Nov to 31 Dec
- Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm 24 Dec from 11 am to 4 pm 25 to 30 December from 11 am to 7 pm 31 Dec from 11 am to 6 pm
Travelcompass Inside Tips:
- The Christmas market is perfect as a stopover if you like strolling from one market to another, as it is located close to the Christmas market on Stephansplatz and the Museumsquartier.
- We recommend the roasted almonds, gingerbread, and berry punch.
