[Austria] Christmas Markets in Vienna
If you’re planning to spend time in Vienna during Christmas, and you’re looking for the best Christmas markets in Vienna, you’ve come to the right place! Are you ready for some “Christmas market crawl”?😉
💡Note that the Christmas market in German is called Christkindlmarkt.
Before we start, let me give you several reasons for…
Why visit Vienna During Christmas
Best Christmas market in Europe
According to the European best destinations, Vienna is ranked in 4th place among the best Christmas markets in Europe 2022.
English friendly
The Official language in Austria is German; and no, Vienna is not part of Germany; and again, no, Austria doesn’t have kangaroos.😂
If you already know German, you might be interested in “Wienerisch“.
Do they speak English in Vienna?
Yes, they do. And if true, they speak pretty well! Living in Vienna for half a year I can hardly recall having a moment with the problem of not being able to communicate well.
Location of Vienna
If you’re abroad and planning to travel around Europe meanwhile visit Europe during Christmas, I would say that Vienna would be one of your best choices.
In Europe, it’s not very smart to not use buses to visit neighboring countries. Let me show you how this works with Vienna.
Budapest being the best Christmas market in Europe 2022 is just 2.5 hours away from Vienna, and the cheapest bus ticket you can get is €9, I’m not kidding!! 🎫check out the latest price here.
It takes 4 hours to reach Prague, 5 hours to Munich, and 45 minutes to Bratislava, Slovakia where you can easily plan a day trip from Vienna.
Now you know that I am 100% for the idea of visiting Vienna during Christmas, now let’s get back to Vienna Christmas markets.
| Open in a new tab and read it later Salzburg Christmas market Austria Christmas custom (No Santa in Austria!) Austria national day Europe Sim card |
Austria Christmas traditions
The smell of Christmas
It was also during this time of the year, 2017 in Vienna, I remember one of my Austrian friends said:
“It’s this time again, soon this city will be filled with the scent of Christmas.”
As a girl born and raised in Taiwan, I didn’t really get what she meant and thought…” the smell of Christmas? No idea what that is. I only recognize the smell of red envelope” (if you’ve ever experienced Chinese new year in an Asian family and received red envelopes, you would definitely know what I mean. know more about Chinese new year)
2017 was the year in which I could say I really experienced “Christmas”, the European Christmas (and also, the first time seeing snow!). Finally, I knew what my friend meant, “the smell of Christmas”.
I can still picture the moment I caught the smell. It was from the Christmas stands on Mariahilferstraße, it was the aroma of cinnamon and orange mixed in hot alcoholic beverages, accompanied by the tiny scent of roasting chestnuts.
At that moment I realized: “This is the smell of Christmas!”
(A secret of mine: I used to dislike cinnamon. But this year Vienna changed me😂 I started to love it because It’s the smell of Christmas!)
Bake Christmas cookies
During my time living in Vienna, I was living on the same floor with girls from different parts of Europe, Austria, Czech, and Slovakia… they were baking Christmas cookies for days.
I mean seriously, Dayssss!
I clearly remember, one of them was baking Christmas cookies for her whole family for 3 days! 3 days without leaving the apartment just baking batches of cookies!
So that is definitely part of: “the Christmas smell”.
| The next year I celebrated Christmas with my Spanish friend and her family. Guess what, Christmas culture in Spain is another different story! See how Spaniards celebrate Christmas |
Things to do in Vienna before Christmas
Adventskalender
I know I’m not the only grown-up who still buys the chocolate ones right😋?
Tbh, I only knew about the Christmas calendars some years ago! So I have the right to make up for the ones I’ve missed🤭
Vienna Christmas lights
Graben street Christmas light is undoubtedly where you should go for the best Christmas lights in Vienna. Usually, the Christmas lights in Vienna will be lightened at the mid-end of November until the beginning of January. Don’t miss the scene😍.
Except for the main street, remember to go to Popp & Kretschmer across the Sacher hotel to see the signature Big Red Ribbon🎀!
| If you have a bigger budget, don’t just try the Sacher Torte, Stay a night there! The story of the Sacher hotel started in the 19th century. Though the story of Sacher hotel wasn’t as pretty and smooth as it seems. In the 20th century, the hotel was owned by the soviet power, then fell into the Brits hand. The Gürtler and Siller families were only able to reclaim it 6 years later. So the Sacher hotel you see today is not only a five-star hotel in the center of Vienna, it’s a witness of the Habsburg monarchy and Vienna offensive during the second world war. Check out the latest hotel deal |
Mariahilferstraße gift hunting
Lol~actually this was an unexpected trip with my Austrian friend who asked me to join him for Christmas shopping for his family.
It was on the weekend 2 weeks before Christmas, and I couldn’t imagine how busy this famous shopping street could be, just for gift hunting😂! Everyone has at least one bag in their hand and still searching for things to fill another.
To be honest, I enjoyed it a lot. It was busy, but the atmosphere was very sweet. You will feel the Christmas vibe, and love in the air just watching people picking presents for their loved ones.
Collect Christmas Mugs
This step is uber important for me during Christmas time, collect Christmas mugs!!
How serious can I be? The year I visited Vienna during Christmas, I brought 6 Christmas mugs with me back to Taiwan!🤭
How to keep your Christmas mugs from Christmas stands?
Just bring it home. Lol, that’s true.
Unlike Oktoberfest beer stein which you are not able to bring out of the tent, the ones you get at the Christmas markets are completely yours to keep. When you paid for the drink, the mug deposit is already included.
If you don’t want to keep the Christmas mug, just return it to the stand after you finish your drink and they will return you approx. €3.
📌Tips:
- It is not necessary to have to drink Glühwein or Punsch to get that Christmas mug, you can buy “just the mug” itself😉
- If you are a collector like me, after finishing your drink, you can ask the vendor to change it to a clean one for you.
Christmas markets in Vienna!
📌Below dates of Vienna Christmas markets might change due to Covid restrictions. For the latest news check the official websites linked below
| Commonly asked: When do Vienna Christmas markets start? Vienna Christmas markets start at the beginning of November. The earliest Christmas market that starts in 2022 is the one at Mueseumsquartier, which will be on the 4th of November. |
Wiener Weihnachtstraum | Vienna city hall
- Where: Rathausplatz
📍Google map - When: Nov 19 to Dec 26, 2022
Su-Th 11.00 am – 9.30 pm, Fr-Sa 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
December 24, 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
December 25 & 26, 11.00 am – 7 pm - Website
When talking about Christmas markets in Austria, this Christmas market in front of Rathausplatz must be the most famous Christmas market in Vienna.
This “Viennese Dream Christmas Market” is the largest Christmas market in Vienna and also the busiest.
Kid-friendly: They have a special area for children to bake Christmas cookies and make candles, and also an ice skating area in which you can rent skaters on-site.
Advent Market by the Karlskirche
- Where: Karlskirche
📍Google map - When: Nov 18 to Dec 23, 2022
Daily from 12:00 – 20:00
This is personally my favorite Christmas market. It is not big but the ambiance is very cozy (with real animals in sight).
What is special about the Karlsplatz Christmas market is that the products here are all made by locals( by owners of the stand) and the foods are organic. No wholesale products!
Christmas Village Altes AKH
- Where: Universitätscampus, Alserstrasse 4
📍Google map - When: Nov 11 to Dec 23, 2022
Monday to Wednesday: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday, Friday: 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. - Website
- Not Dog friendly
If you are looking for a Christmas market in Vienna that has a more “authentic” vibe, Altes AKH Christmas market is where you should visit.
I have asked several Austrians which Christmas market was their favorite, and this Christmas Village located in the Former General Hospital was mentioned several times.
Indeed Altes AKH Christmas market has a place in those Viennese’s hearts. I remember one of them said: it is the most authentic one.
Christmas Market at Stephansplatz
- Where: Stephansplatz
📍Google map - When: Nov 11 to Dec 26, 2022
Daily from 11:00 – 21:00
Dec 24 11:00 – 16:00
Dec 25 & 26 11:00 – 19:00 - Website
Located in the heart of Vienna next to the Stephandsdom, how can you miss it?
After warming yourself up with some punsch, then you can head to Graben street for Christmas lights🌟.
| Don’t miss the experience Concert at the St.Stephen’s Cathedral Vienna hotels close to Christmas markets |
Christmas Village Maria-Theresien Platz
- Where: Maria-Theresien Platz
📍Google map - When: Nov 16 to Dec 26, 2022
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11am -10:00pm
Dec 24 11am – 4pm
Located between two museums- the Art History Museum(Kunsthistorisches Museum) and Nature & History Museum, this is one of the biggest Christmas markets in Vienna.
In the middle of the plaza, you will see a statue, which is the famous Maria Theresia– the one and only female ruler in the Habsburg dynasty.
Wintergarten at Museumsquartier
- Where: Mueseumsquartier
📍Google map - When: Nov 04 to Jan 09, 2022
Mon-Fri 16:00-23:00
Sat-Sun & Holiday 14:00-23:00 - Website
For those who want to give the “traditional atmosphere” a pause, come to Mueseumsquartier and enjoy Christmas in a modern way!
Mueseumsquartier is within 10 minute’s walk from Maria-Theresien Platz.
One of the highlights here is definitely their daily artistic lights starting from 17:00 to 19:00 until the 6th of December.
What’s more, they have a series of events including live concerts and cultural events. How nice is it to have punsch in your hand and enjoy this lively atmosphere!
My friends and I were wandering in the little streets trying to find a way back home, but we were drawn by the music here~they sure know how to do it.
Christmas Market at Spittelberg
- Where: Spittelberggasse
📍Google map - When: Nov 11 to Dec 23, 2022
Mondays to Thursdays 2 pm – 9 pm
Fridays 2pm – 9.30pm
Saturdays 10am – 9.30pm
Sundays and holidays 10 am – 9 pm - Website
If you are still around Mueseumsquartier, don’t leave yet! Within the streets close to Museumsquartier there is another Christmas market(🤫Personal opinion: pretty hidden).
Unlike other markets, rather than an opening space, Spittelberg market is within the streets. This does not decrease its charm, instead, makes the vibe even cozier.
Schönbrunn Palace
- Where: Schönbrunn Palace
📍Google map - When: Nov 19, 2022 to Jan 04, 2023
Daily 10am – 9pm
Dec 24 10am – 4pm
Dec 25 to Jan 04 10am – 6pm - Website
This is a unique Christmas market in Vienna located in front of the Habsburg summer palace. Schönbrunn Christmas market definitely has its own charm.
The Christmas tree in the Christmas market in Schönbrunn Palace will be lightened on the 19th of November 2022 at 5 pm. Don’t miss the show if you are there😉
Remember to grab an extra coat if you are visiting at night, it might be much windier than you expected.
| Recommended things to do in Schönbrunn Palace Learn how to make the famous traditional Viennese Apfel strudel Christmas market with classical concert in Schönbrunn Palace |
Belvedere Palace
- Where: Schloss Belvedere
📍Google map - When: Nov 18 to Dec 26, 2022
Monday – Friday 11am – 9pm
Saturday, Sunday10am – 9pm
Dec 24 11am – 4pm
Dec 25 & 26 11am – 7pm
Won’t it be like a dream to enjoy an evening of Christmas lights with a Baroque-styled background?
If you are tired of the busy Vienna city center, Belvedere palace is where you should stop by!
Winter Market in the Prater
- Where: Riesenradplatz
📍Google map - When: Nov 19, 2022 to Jan 8, 2023
Monday – Friday 12:00 – 22:00
Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 11:00 – 22:00
Dec 24. 11:00 – 17:00
Dec 31 from 11:00 – 2:00 am - Website
If you are looking for something more interesting, more lively, and more exciting, how about a Christmas market in an amusement park?
Prater is an amusement park located in Vienna city.
Don’t underestimate Prater and think the rides are just for kids…you will understand when you see them.😉
Every Thursday to Saturday, there will be live music starting from 19:00.
For those who are staying for the new year, on the last day of the year, the market will be until 2 in the morning and there will be music and fireworks right here, keep this in mind!
📌Pin this post for later
If you are still thinking about which country to visit for European Christmas, Austria is a dream, it is something I am still craving for.
Below you will find the map of Vienna with all the Vienna Christmas markets mentioned above. You can measure each Christmas market’s distance and plan your Vienna itinerary accordingly.
My trip to Vienna christmas markets this December is finalized🥳🥳
Follow along to absorb the Christmas atmosphere with me👇🏼
| Useful links: Vienna weather November Vienna weather December Vienna city card-Discount to museums and public transports Vienna Christmas tour (3hours) |
If you find this post useful, you can support this blog by booking your trip with below links.🥰
Latest flight deals
Vienna hotel
Booking.com
Agoda
💡Epic one to stay-Sacher hotel
Things to do in Vienna
Leave a Reply