Austria’s Christmas Market Date Guide

Christmas, Hints

Updated April 1, 2025

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    2025 Austria Christmas Market Dates

    *Note  We will update the 2025 dates as they are released. 

    Discover the magic of  Austria Christmas Markets

     

    This guide will help you plan your Austria Christmas Markets holiday.

    Discover the unique magic of an Austrian Christmas by visiting Christkindlmarkt ( Austria Christmas Markets).

    There are Christmas Markets all over Austria- even the smallest village will have a Christkindlmarkt- for at least one weekend during Advent.

    The Christmas Markets in Austria tend to open from mid-November to December 24. Some markets are open on Christmas Day, and some larger Christmas Markets morph into Silvester (New Year’s Eve) markets.

    From the Christkindlmarkt at the Rathaus in Vienna, with its Ferris Wheel and Skating rink, to quaint village markets such as those in the villages on Wolfgangsee.

    Enjoy a traditional festive season, with the streets decked in Advent finery and sparkling Christmas lights, snow-covered trees, and hands warmed by a mug of Glühwein. Christmas in Austria is traditional, and one of the favourite traditions is celebrating at a Christmas Market. Stroll through the Christmas Markets that resemble winter villages with wooden huts selling delicious food and unique Christmas gifts.

    **IMPORTANT:  The dates of the Austrian Christmas Markets are provided to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.

    It is essential to check each Christmas Market’s website for its opening dates and times.***

    Vienna Christmas Markets

    Vienna is one of the most popular cities to visit Christmas Markets.  In addition to the markets, the city is bedecked with lights and Christmas spirit. 

    The tradition of Christmas markets in Vienna dates back to 1296 when Albrecht I granted the right to hold a December Market or “Krippenmarkt”.

    There are over 17 official Advent Markets in Vienna.

    The Vienna Christkindlmarkt at the Rathausplatz at night

    Vienna Christmas Markets 2024/2025 Dates

    Schönbrunn Christmas Market Website

    November 8, 2024, to January 6, 2025

    Weihnachtsdorf Stephansplatz  Website

    November 8, 2024 to December 26, 2024

    Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz  Website

    It will not open in 2025 due to construction in the square.

    Art Advent at Karlsplatz  Website

    November 21, 2025, to December 23, 2025

    Weihnachtsdorf Schloss Belvedere  Website

    November 15, 2024 to December 31, 2024

    Weihnachtmarkt Am Hof  Website

    November 14, 2025 to December 23, 2025

    Altwiener Christkindlmarkt  Website

    November 15, 2024 to December 23, 2024

    Weihnachtsdorf AKH  Website

    November 15, 2024 to December 23, 2024

    Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt – The most famous Viennese Christmas Market is at the Rathaus (City Hall) square.  Website 

    November 14, 2025, to December 26, 2025

    Spittelberg Christkindlmarkt  Website

    November 16, 2024 to December 23, 2024

    Wintermarket at Riesenradplatz in the 2nd district at the Prater Park.  Website

    November 16, 2024 to January 06, 2025

    Looking for Hotels in Vienna?

     

    Quick Links to Vienna’s Best Hotels close to all the sights.

    Need help with planning your Vienna Christmas Market Tour? 

    Wanderlustria’s

    Ultimate Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary

    Wanderlustria’s Ultimate Vienna  Christmas Market Itinerary is a printable document of 60+ pages designed to help you plan your Vienna Christmas Market holiday.

    Our Christmas Market Itinerary provides an easy-to-follow 3-day itinerary, up-to-date essential information, Market Dates, tips, and hints to make planning your Vienna Christmas Market trip easy and less stressful.

      Top 10 Christmas Markets to Visit

      Easy-to-follow daily itinerary

     The best districts to stay in Vienna and Hotel recommendations

     What to Eat at Christmas Markets

     What Souvenirs to buy

     Available in either A4 or US Letter Paper Sizes

    Wanderlustria’s Ultimate Vienna  Christmas Market Itinerary is recommended for three full days in Vienna and is organised to ensure you can easily visit each of our recommended ten Christmas Markets while enjoying the traditions and pageantry of Christmas in Vienna.

    This itinerary could easily be used to plan a four—to five-day visit to Vienna, which would give you more time to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

      We also provide you with checklists and templates to use our recommendations and plan your own personalised Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary.

    Ready to discover the magic of Vienna’s Christmas Markets?

    Salzburg Christmas Markets

    When you think the perfect Christmas scene- you imagine Salzburg.  The Salzburg Christmas Market dates back to the “Tandlmarkt” in the 15th century, and is one of the oldest Advent Markets in the world. By the 17th century, this Advent market was known as  “Nikolaimarkt”, that took place two weeks before and two weeks after St. Nicholas’ Day (on 6 December).

    There are three main markets in Salzburg

    © Salzburg Tourismus

    Salzburg Christmas Markets 2024/2025 Dates

    Dom and Residenzplatz Christkindlmarkt

    is one of the world’s oldest Advent markets. It has over 100 market stands and daily events. The stalls sell traditional decorations, local gifts, Glüwein and delicious Austrian specialities.

    Highlights

    • Daily event program with traditional music
    • The Krampus Run on December 5 and the Traditional Perchten Run on December 21

    Website

    When: November 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025

    Mirabellplatz Christkindlmarkt

    A traditional Advent market that is favoured by locals. It is located across from St Andrew’s church. The bus stop, and the Mirabellplatz parking garage, are located directly opposite.

    Highlights

    • less crowded
    • Unique gifts

    Website

    When: November 21, 2024 to December 24

    Hohensalzburg Christkindlmarkt

    A traditional Christmas Market in the courtyard of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.  

    Highlights

    • Christmas Market with a view of the Old Town below
    • Unique gifts
    • Children’s program
    • Fresh tarte flambée from the historic Fortress bakery, baked according to modern recipes in centuries-old wood burning ovens.

    Website

    When: Friday, Saturday and Sundays from November 22, 2024, to December 22, 2024.

    11 am to 19:00 (7 pm) 

    Hellbrunn Adventzauber

    set against a magical backdrop of Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens. The market is popular with families because of its children’s activities program. 

    Website

    When: November 21, 2024 to December 24, 2024

    Sternadvent Sternbräu Christmas Market

    Hidden away in a courtyard off the Getriedegasse near the Sternbräu. 

    Website

    When: November 21, 2024 to January 6, 2025 

    Salzkammergut Region

    The Salzkammergut is Austria’s lake region located at the northern edge of the Alps. The Salzkammergut covers the region stretching from Lake Fuschlsee, Lake Mondsee into Almtal Valley, from Vöckla Valley to Dachstein and Grimming Mountain.

    The small lakeside villages and the stunning backdrop of the mountains make memorable Christmas Market venues.

    Many of the villages have Advent Markets-most may only be open Friday to Sundays from ~November 22 to December 22.

    Salzkammergut Christmas Markets 2024/2025 Dates

    Lake Wolfgangsee Advent

    2024 is the 20th anniversary of the Lake Wolfgangsee Advent Markets, held in the three lakeside villages of St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Strobl. You are transported to each village by the Lake Wolfgangsee Ferry.

    Highlights

    • the 11-metre-high candle  directly on the lakeshore at St. Gilgen 
    • Strobl is famous for its life-size Nativity village
    • more than 70 life-size wooden figures scattered around the village of St Wolfgang
    • The Schafberg  Advent Train takes you to the Schafbergalm at 1364m (Thursday to Sunday) 

    Website

    When: November 21, 2024 to December 22, 2024

    Hours:

    Wednesday: 13:00 (1:00 pm) to 19:30 (7:30 pm) ONLY St Wolfgang Market is open

    Thursday and Friday:  11:00 am to 19:30 (7:30 pm) All Markets open

    Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am to 19:30 (7:30 pm) All Markets open

    Hallstatt Christmas Market

    takes place every year on December 8, 2024, From 10 am to 18:30 Website

    Bad Ischl

    Website

    When: November 21, 2024 to December 21, 2024  10:00 am to 18:00 (6pm) 

    Innsbruck

    Experience a traditional Tyrolean Christmas in Innsbruck

    © Innsbruck Tourismus

    Innsbruck Christmas Markets 2024/2025 Dates

    Christkindlmarkt in the Old Town

    A romantic and festive Christmas Market with the Christmas market stalls nestled between  the medieval buildings and the Golden Roof.

    When:  November 15, 2024 to December 23, 2024

    Christmas market on Maria Theresien Street

    Maria Theresien Street is one of Innsbruck’s main shopping streets. During Advent the street is transformed into a winter wonderland trees covered in tiny, sparkling lights and market stalls selling gifts, Glühwein and delicious snacks.

    When: November 25, 2024 to January 6, 2025

    Advent at Marktplatz

    The market square by the River Inn has a Tyrolean village feel with a 14-metre-high crystal tree that sparkles above the square, a carousel and over 60 stalls.  The market also has a children’s programme.

    When: November 15, 2024 to December 23, 2024

    Christmas Market at Hungerburg

    Visit the Panorama Christmas Market at Hungerburg. To get there, take the Nordkettenbahnen funicular from the Congress lift station in the city centre.

    When: November 22,2024 to January 6, 2025

    Visit this Website for all the information about Innsbruck’s Christmas Markets.

     

    Austria Christmas Market Dates

    The 2024/2025 Christmas Market Dates for Vienna, Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Innsbruck.

    Christmas Market Tips

    If you are planning to visit Austrian Christmas Markets, here is a list of the top Christmas Market tips to help you plan the best trip.  

    Krampus

    In the weeks before  Christmas, parades honouring Krampus (Krampusauflauf) are held throughout many of Austria’s Alpine villages.

    Best Salzburg Christmas Markets

    The Top 5 Salzburg Christmas Markets that you should visit. 

    Top Vienna Christmas Markets

    The Top 6 Vienna Christmas Markets that you should visit.

    Best Hotels near Vienna Christmas Markets

    Our suggestions on which Vienna District to stay in, while visiting the Christmas Markets- and hotel recommendations

    Vienna Christmas Market Mugs

    Where to find and how to buy the Vienna Christmas Market Mugs.

    Christmas Market Food Guide

    Our Guide to the 16 Must-Try Foods at Austrian Christmas Markets. 

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