Best Salzburg Christmas Market Guide

The Christmas Markets in Salzburg are magical.  Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town where you will find Christmas Markets amongst the backdrop of medieval and baroque buildings, gardens and hilltop castles.

When you think of the perfect Christmas scene- you imagine Salzburg. 

Four of the Christmas Markets are within walking distance of the Old Town, and the Hellbrunn Christmas Market is 7 km ( 4.4 mi) away.

**IMPORTANT:  The dates of the Salzburg 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.***

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The Best Salzburg Christmas Markets

Here are Wanderlustria’s Top 5  Salzburg Christmas Markets that you should visit.

Dom and Residenzplatz Christkindlmarkt

The Dom and Residentzplatz Christmas Market takes place in the centre of Salzburg’s Old Town. 

The origins of Salzburg’s most famous Christmas Market date back to the 15th century- making it one of the oldest Christmas Markets in the world. At that time, a ‘Tandlmarkt’ was held in the square in front of the Cathedral. It was not necessarily a Christmas Market but sold goods and foods needed during winter. By the 17th century, an Advent Market called ‘Nikolaimarkt’ existed. 

The Dom and Residentzplatz Christmas Market that we visit today dates back to 1974, and in 2024, it will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The Christmas market stretches from Residenzplatz through the Cathedral arches to the Domplatz. The nearby Mozartplatz has a skating rink.

The Dom and Residenzplatz Christkindlmarkt has over 100 traditional huts selling everything you need for your Christmas list, from decorations and gifts to food and drinks.  The Christmas Market specialises in artisan handiworks, including blown glass, wooden gifts (including handmade wooden nativity scenes), clothing, shoes, hats, jewellery and art.

Enjoy a hot mug of Glühwein (mulled wine), hot Chocolate, or Punch. A great souvenir is the collectable Salzburg Christmas Mug. You pay a deposit of 5€ on top of the price of the drink. Return the mug and get the 5€ deposit back or keep the mug as a souvenir.

WEBSITE

Events: 

• Choir sing-along – every Tuesday from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Traditional wind music – every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and every Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
• Traditional Krampus Run- December 5 starting at 17:30 (5:30 pm)
• Perchten Run – Saturday December 21, starting at 11:30

*please check the official website for event times

WHEN: 

November 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025

• Monday-Thursday 10 am-8:30 pm
• Friday 10 am-9pm
• Saturday 9 am-9 pm
• Sunday & Holidays 9 am-8:30 pm

Special opening hours

• December 24: 9 am–3 pm
• December 25 & 26: 11 am–6 pm
• December 27-30: 10 am-8:30 pm
• December 31: 10 am-1 am
• January 1: 10 am- 6 pm

Hohensalzburg Christkindlmarkt

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

This Christmas Market has the most stunning panorama over Salzburg. You can get to the Christmas Market by the funicular (13€ return), or you can walk up to the Fortress, with the lane lit by Herrnhut stars.

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: 

November 22, 2024, to December 22, 2024 ONLY Friday, Saturday and Sundays 

11 am to 19:00 (7 pm)

**Top Tip**

Combine your visit to the Salzburg Christmas Markets with

* Visiting the famous sites in Salzburg
* Going to a musical performance

For more information CLICK HERE

Stern Advent and Winter Market

The Stern Advent Market is hidden in the courtyard of the Sternbräu between Getriedegasse and Griesgasse.  The large courtyard has wooden huts reminiscent of a small village of chalets.

The Sternbräu is famous brewery in Salzburg and a perfect place to eat and have a drink.  The brewery’s guild sign with a star (Stern) date to 1425 and the Sternbräu brewery with restaurant was first mentioned in 1542.  Mozart, Angela Merkel (German Chanceller) , Anthony Hopkins, and David Hasselhof are some of the VIPs that have dined at the Sternbräu.

WEBSITE

WHEN: 

21 November 2024 till 6 January 2025

• Sunday to Thursday: 11.00 am – 7.00 pm,
• Friday & Saturday: 11.00 am – 8.30 pm

Special opening hours

• December 24 & 31: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
• January 1-6: daily 11.00 am – 18.00 pm

Mirabellplatz Christkindlmarkt

This is the traditional Advent market that the locals favour.

It is located across from St Andrew’s church on the other side of the Salzach River from the Old Town.  

The Mirabellplatz Christmas Market has ~20 huts and sells mainly food and drink.  

It is an approximately 15-minute walk from the Dom and Residenzplatz Christmas Market. The bus stop and the Mirabellplatz parking garage are opposite the Christmas Market.

WEBSITE

WHEN: 

November 21, 2024, to December 24, 2024

• Sunday-Thursday 10 am-8 pm
• Friday-Saturday, public holidays 10 am-9 pm

Special opening hours

• December 24:  10 am-3 pm
• December 25 and 26:  shortened opening hours
• December 31:  10 am-1 am (food only)

Hellbrunn Adventzauber

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

The Christmas Market has a 7€ admission fee, which includes a hot drink. Children under 6 are free.

Highlights

• Traditional and Artisan crafts
• Traditional Austria Cuisine 
• The 24 Palace windows are transformed into a giant Advent Calendar.
• A fairy-take forest with over 700 decorated Christmas Trees
• Children’s World of Christmas with Christmas train, post office, Christmas barbecues at the campfire

How to get to Hellbrunn

By car is via the A1 motorway, exit Salzburg Süd. Car parking is available directly at the palace (3€ for first 2 hrs, 1€ each additional hour, 10€ maximum daily fee)

Public Transport: From Salzburg’s main train station, bus number 25 (stop ‘Schloss Hellbrunn’) will take you directly to Schloss Hellbrunn.

WEBSITE

WHEN: 

November 21, 2024 to December 24, 2024

CLOSED on MONDAYS

• Tuesday – Friday 1pm – 8pm
• Saturday, Sunday, December 8th 10am – 8pm
• Special opening hours
• December 23:  1pm – 8pm
• December 24: 10am – 2pm

Find out more