Christmas In Vienna

From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas bakery items and hot punch creates a pre-Christmas atmosphere.

At the traditional Vienna Magic of Advent, the Rathausplatz becomes a shining fairytale land. The 150 or so sales stands offer Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks. Not far away is the Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, situated between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum. 70 stands offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas are set up here during Advent. The Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung in the city center is committed to tradition. A Christmas market was held here as early as 1772; today, it is a place to buy handicrafts, glass decorations, traditional cribs and ceramics. Festive Advent music can be heard on the square from 4 pm. Top-quality handicrafts can also be purchased a couple of steps further along at the Am Hof Advent Market. 

The Christmas market in the Ehrenhof in front of Schönbrunn Palace offers romance in front of an imperial backdrop, and is converted into a New Year’s market after Christmas. The Advent market in front of Belvedere Palace is also held in an imperial ambience. Children in particular also really appreciate the Christmas market on Karlsplatz. 

Courtesy of the Vienna Convention Bureau