The Magic of the Vienna Christmas Markets

Vienna Christmas Markets to get you in the Yuletide Spirit:

Christkindlmarkt © WienTourismus/C.Alessandri

The first Christmas markets in Vienna were held more than seven centuries ago when in 1296 Emperor Albrecht I granted Viennese traders and shopkeepers the privilege of holding a December market for the city’s population.  Christkindlmarkt in those early days took place around Christmas and New year’s Eve and were not the extended events that they are today.

Vienna’s largest Christkindlmarkt only settled in its City Hall Square in 1975. Each year The Magic of Advent, as the Christmas market is known, transforms City Hall Square into a winter wonderland.

The Neo-Gothic City Hall provides a fitting backdrop for the countless stands offering snacks, handicrafts, Christmas tree decorations and gifts.

And when you’ve had one too many Christmas treats, take a romantic stroll in the neighbouring Rathauspark. The trees in the Rathauspark are covered with decorations and sparkling lights which form a sea of stars as night falls.  Families come here to listen to the ‘Talking Tree’ whilst lovers meet beneath the ‘Heart Tree’.

Other Christmas Markets

• The Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz – the square between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum – is full of stalls laden with attractive handcrafted wares.
• Attractive gifts and traditional cribs can be found on the traditional Altwiener Christkindlmarkt (Old Viennese Christmas Market) in the Freyung district in the old town.
• The romantic Culture and Christmas Market in front of Schönbrunn Palace stands out with a huge selection of traditional handmade tree decorations.
• The Christmas market in front of the Belvedere Palace also has an imperial backdrop.

Some 2023 Christmas Market Dates

Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz (Nov 11 – Dec 26, 2023)
Rathausplatz, 1st district
www.wienerweihnachtstraum.at

Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz (Nov 15 – Dec 31, 2023)
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1st district
www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Am Hof Christmas Market (Nov 10 – Dec 23, 2023)
Am Hof Square, 1st district
www.weihnachtsmarkt-hof.at

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt (Old Viennese Christmas Market)  (Nov 18 – Dec 23, 2022)
Freyung, 1st district
www.altwiener-markt.at

Christmas Market on Stephansplatz (Nov. 10 – Dec. 26, 2023)
Stephansplatz, 1st district
www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Art Advent on Karlsplatz (Nov. 17 – Dec. 23, 2023)
Karlsplatz, 1st district
www.artadvent.at

Imperial and Royal Christmas Market (Nov. 11 – Jan. 6, 2023)
Michaelerplatz, 1st district
www.kuk-weihnachtsmarkt.at

Christmas Market at Schonbrunn Palace (Nov. 18 – Jan 4, 2024)
Schönbrunn Palace, 1130 Vienna
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace (Nov 17 – Dec 31, 2023)
Belvedere Palace
Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, 4th district
www.weihnachtsdorf.at

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Things to do in Vienna

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