Christmas Markets in Linz
In the weeks before Christmas, the old town of Linz is especially charming, and a single day is not enough to truly appreciate the festive holiday atmosphere. A visit to Linz is a chance to combine holiday shopping with tradition and gourmet pleasures. With hot punch or spiced mulled wine to warm you up, the Christmas markets in Linz delight with their selection of culinary treats, traditional crafts and festive atmosphere. Here are some ARCOTEL tips when visiting Linz during the Christmas season.
CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT THE MAIN SQUARE
Where all of Linz comes together. The Christmas Market on the Main Square is the heart of the city’s holiday activities. The centuries-old baroque town houses that line the square form an enchanting backdrop to the popular market, with an inviting atmosphere provided by the festively lit Christmas tree and countless market stalls. The artisanal crafts on sale here include Christmas tree decorations, pottery, glassware, jewellery and lovingly crafted knickknacks. With plenty of hot punch, roasted chestnuts and Christmastime calorie bombs to enjoy as well, of course.
CHRISTMAS MARKET AT VOLKSGARTEN
The Christmas Market at Volksgarten offers visitors a charming mix of wooden booths and magical market stalls surrounded by the beautifully lit trees of the park. Children will especially enjoy the fairytale huts with their moving figures, the fairground rides, and a nativity scene with hand-painted life-size figures and animal stable.
ADVENT AT LINZ CATHEDRAL
Away from the Main Square and Volksgarten, Christmas is celebrated in a more traditional way in front of Linz Cathedral. More reflective, more down-to-earth, different – this is the place to go for artisanal handicrafts and culinary specialities ranging from vegetarian to oriental and regional delights. With delicious hot punch and mulled wine, of course.
WINTER MARKET AT PFARRPLATZ
Not far from Linz’s main square, the Winter Market at Pfarrplatz is famed for its quiet and tranquil atmosphere, where farmers, artisans and artists sell their regional, self-made products. Visitors gather around the fireplaces to warm up with a cup of hot punch and mulled wine. The little ones will enjoy watching the sheep in the open-air enclosure.
MUSICAL ADVENT CALENDAR
Once again, the Brucknerhaus enchants audiences this year with a free Christmas concert series. Twenty-three short performances lasting between 30 and 45 minutes each are scheduled every day in the foyer of the Brucknerhaus from 1 to 23 December. The varied repertoire ranges from renaissance to modern, from classical to jazz, from zither to electric guitar. A great place to enjoy the Christmas season without all the usual holiday stress.
DEEP SPACE SPECIAL: VIRTUAL NATIVITY SCENE
The nativity scene at Linz Cathedral has always been a highlight of the Christmas season. Recreated as an interactive and audiovisual 3D Christmas experience, the famous scene from the cathedral’s crypt now shines in virtual reality at the Deep Space 8K of the Ars Electronica Center.
ORGAN MEDITATION DURING ADVENT
The baroque Church of Ignatius is home to one of the most important musical monuments in Austria: the Bruckner organ, named after composer Anton Bruckner, who was the official organist of the Linz diocese. To this day, the organ offers a fascinating sound experience with performances this year by organists Bettina Leitner, Marco Paolacci and Bernhard Pammer.
