My introduction to Austria happened by chance — and turned into a true love. The Alpine landscapes, silence, and powerful energy of nature completely changed my plans. For more than ten years, I have explored Austria dozens of times: on foot, by bicycle, and even from the air — discovering routes for travelers of all ages and travel styles. Today I help people experience the real Austria and create personalized itineraries that make each journey deeper, more comfortable, and more inspiring. Let Austria become your next unforgettable destination!
Christmas Markets in Austria 2025
Austria transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season, as traditional Christmas markets — Christkindlmärkte — spring up across the country. These enchanting markets, steeped in medieval tradition, create a festive atmosphere where the scent of mulled wine mingles with the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread, and handcrafted gifts are displayed alongside delicious treats.
In 2025, Austrian Christmas markets are set to be even more spectacular, featuring expanded event programs, enhanced infrastructure, and a strong focus on sustainability. From the imperial elegance of Vienna to the Alpine charm of Innsbruck, each region presents its own unique take on Christmas traditions.
Best Christmas Markets in Austria 2025
Vienna — The Heart of Christmas Magic
Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market at City Hall)
Dates: November 14 – December 26, 2025
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, December 24 until 6:30 PM
Location: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
Vienna’s main Christmas market at City Hall is a gem among European festive gatherings. Over 150 colorful stalls are set against the backdrop of the magnificent City Hall, creating an unparalleled holiday atmosphere. The centerpiece is a towering 28-meter Christmas tree adorned with thousands of lights.
A highlight of the market is the Vienna Ice World — a large ice rink that remains open until January 6, 2026. Children can enjoy a special Christmas zone featuring a 12-meter carousel and a mini train with reindeer. Inside the City Hall, workshops for making Christmas cookies and candles are available.
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
Dates: November 6, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, December 24: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, December 25 – January 6: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
As one of the largest markets in Vienna, this market features over 70 stalls offering handicrafts, souvenirs, food, and drinks. The palace’s imperial setting adds a special charm to the Christmas festivities, where visitors can sample huge pretzels and lángos — garlic and cheese bread.
Christmas Village Campus University (Altes AKH)
Dates: November 14 – December 23, 2025
Hours: Mon-Thu 2:00 PM-10:00 PM, Fri 2:00 PM-11:00 PM, Sat 11:00 AM-11:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Location: Alserstrasse/Spitalgasse, Hof 1, 1090 Vienna
This romantic Christmas village on the university campus is particularly popular among students. It features a children’s railway, vintage carousel, and two curling lanes, providing an intimate atmosphere and an authentic Viennese experience.
Old Viennese Christmas Market (Freyung)
Dates: November 14 – December 23, 2025
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Location: Freyung, 1010 Vienna
The Christmas market at Freyung honors tradition, with markets held here since 1772. Today, it is a place to find handicrafts, glass ornaments, traditional nativity scenes, and ceramics. Festive Advent music fills the square starting at 4:00 PM.
Click here to learn more about creating a personal itineraryMarket at St. Charles Church (Karlsplatz)
Dates: November 21 – December 23, 2025 (preliminary)
Hours: Daily 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Karlsplatz, 1010 Vienna
This Advent market has an “alternative” character, showcasing unique art and crafts. Quality and authenticity of goods are strictly monitored by organizers. The stunning Baroque Karlskirche provides a breathtaking backdrop for the market.
⚠️ Important: The Christmas market at Maria-Theresien-Platz will NOT OPERATE in 2025 due to construction work around museum entrances.
Salzburg — The Musical Capital of Christmas
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00 AM-8:30 PM, Fri 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM-9:00 PM, Sun 9:00 AM-8:30 PM
Special Hours: December 24: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, December 25-26: 11:00 AM-6:00 PM, December 31: 10:00 AM-1:00 AM, January 1: 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Location: Domplatz and Residenzplatz, Salzburg
Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt has a rich history and is one of the oldest Advent markets in the world. Established in its current form since 1974, it officially opens on the Thursday before the first Sunday of Advent with a ceremonial event.
The market features specially designed lighting that creates a starry ambiance over the stalls. Visitors can enjoy choir performances in front of the cathedral, “Turmblasen” (wind instruments) at Residenzplatz every Saturday, and nativity exhibitions in the courtyard of the Residence.
Christmas Market at Mirabell Palace
Dates: November 20 – December 31, 2025
Hours: Sun-Thu 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, Fri-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM
Location: Mirabellplatz, Salzburg
The Christmas market at Mirabell Square has become a popular destination for visitors of all ages in recent years. Fans of “The Sound of Music” will recognize Mirabell Palace as a key filming location.
Hellbrunner Adventzauber
Dates: November 20 – December 24, 2025
Location: Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg
Set in the courtyard of Hellbrunn Palace, this beautiful market welcomes visitors with a pathway lined with over 700 Christmas trees adorned with more than 10,000 ornaments. Children can enjoy a petting zoo, roasting sausages by the fire, and Santa Claus’s Christmas post office.
Innsbruck — The Charm of an Alpine Christmas
Christmas Market in Old Town
Dates: November 15 – December 23, 2025
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Location: Altstadt (near the Golden Roof), Innsbruck
Colorful market stalls are nestled between charming medieval buildings and the Golden Roof. The stalls offer a wealth of Christmas decorations, handicrafts, woolen goods, and souvenirs. A viewing platform provides a beautiful perspective over the market.
Christmas Market on Maria-Theresien-Strasse
Dates: November 25, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Special Hours: December 24: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM, December 31: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM
Location: Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck
Surrounded by a dazzling array of lights, the Christmas market on Maria-Theresien-Strasse features numerous decorated trees. With 30 stalls offering international gift ideas and various delicacies, it’s a must-visit.
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Panoramic Christmas Market Hungerburg
Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Hours: Mon-Fri 1:00 PM-7:00 PM, Sat-Sun and holidays 12:00 PM-7:00 PM
Special Hours: December 24: 12:00 PM-3:00 PM, December 31: 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Location: Hungerburg (accessible via the Nordkettenbahnen funicular)
For breathtaking winter views of Innsbruck, head to the Panoramic Christmas Market in Hungerburg. Easily accessible via the Nordkettenbahnen funicular from the city center, this market offers a serene atmosphere with stunning views of the Alpine peaks.
Christmas Market at Marktplatz
Dates: November 15 – December 23, 2025
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Location: Marktplatz, Innsbruck
Ideal for families, the market square by the Inn River features a charming Christmas market with a Tyrolean village feel. A 14-meter crystal tree sparkles above, while 60 stalls are filled with colorful gifts.
Graz — A Design City Celebrates Christmas
Main Christmas Market (Hauptplatz)
Dates: November 21 – December 24, 2025
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 AM-10:00 PM, December 24: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Location: Hauptplatz, Graz
The Christmas market in the main square is Graz’s most iconic and well-known. Situated in front of the town hall with a beautifully decorated tree and a charming carousel, this market is unmissable. A standout feature is the Advent calendar projected onto the town hall facade.
Old Christmas Market of Graz (Franziskanerplatz)
Dates: November 21 – December 23, 2025
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 AM-10:00 PM, December 24: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Location: Franziskanerplatz, Graz
Known as the oldest market in Graz, the Christmas market at Franziskanerplatz celebrates rural traditions, showcasing arts and crafts, including “Thuringian Christmas decorations” and products from Styrian “GenussRegionen.”
Click here to create a personal itinerary for Austria“Aufsteirern” Christmas Market (Schlossberg)
Dates: November 21 – December 21, 2025, weekends only (Friday-Sunday)
Location: Schlossberg (Kasematten), Graz
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Schlossberg, the “Aufsteirern” Christmas market transforms the area into a magical space over five weekends leading to Christmas. The unique location within the former castle casemates enhances the market’s atmosphere.
Graz Special Feature: All Christmas markets in Graz are within walking distance of one another.
Additional Christmas Markets by Region
Burgenland
- Bad Sauerbrunn: Advent in Christmas Village — November 29 – December 21, 2025 (Saturday, Sunday + December 8)
- Eisenstadt: Advent Market at Esterházy Palace — December 12-14, 2025
- Rust: Rust Advent Mile — November 21 – December 21, 2025 (Friday-Sunday + December 8)
Lower Austria
- Baden bei Wien: Advent in the Park — November 21 – December 24, 2025 (Wednesday-Sunday + December 8)
- Krems: Krems Advent Magic — November 20 – December 23, 2025
- Dürnstein: Wachau Advent at Dürnstein Castle — December 6-21, 2025 (Saturday, Sunday, December 8)
- Grafenegg: Advent at Grafenegg Castle — December 5-8, 2025
Styria (besides Graz)
- Mariazell: Mariazell Advent — November 20 – December 21, 2025 (Thursday-Sunday + December 8)
- Schladming: Advent in the Valley — November 28 – December 21, 2025 (Friday-Sunday + December 8)
- Bad Gleichenberg: Advent Market — November 30 – December 21, 2025 (every Sunday)
Tyrol (besides Innsbruck)
- Kufstein: Christmas Market in City Park — November 22 – December 21, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
What to Try at Austrian Christmas Markets 2025
Traditional Drinks
- Glühwein — hot mulled wine with spices, served in festive mugs
- Punsch — fruit spiced punch, often with added alcohol
- Feuerzangenbowle (especially in Graz) — a fiery mix of wine and rum
Culinary Specialties
- Kiachln — Tyrolean donuts, served with powdered sugar or filled with cranberry/sauerkraut
- Kaiserschmarrn — shredded pancakes with raisins and sugar
- Bosna — an Austrian sandwich with sausage, onions, and special sauce
- Lebkuchen — gingerbread in various shapes and sizes
- Maroni — roasted chestnuts
- Stollen — traditional Christmas cake
Unique Souvenirs
- Mozartkugeln — chocolate confections with pistachio marzipan and nougat
- Wooden toys — handcrafted toys from the Alpine regions
- Glass ornaments — hand-painted Christmas tree decorations
- Candles and beeswax products — especially popular in Styria
When planning your trip, remember that Christmas markets offer more than just shopping and food; they also provide a chance to experience living history, enjoy musical traditions, and create lasting memories. The 2025 season promises to be particularly magical, with extended operating times for many markets and exciting new cultural programs.
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