Christmas Markets in Salzburg
Christmas is one of the most beautiful times to be in Salzburg. The charming old town, the festive christmas markets, the narrow lanes, the baroque backdrop – it all transports visitors into a fairytale world of wonder. With over 90 unique events, the Salzburg Christmas Market provides a varied programme of cultural activities ranging from choirs to guided tours to gingerbread baking for young and old. Here, cherished tradition meets artisanal craftsmanship. Discover the Christmas magic of Mozart’s hometown with the ARCOTEL destination tips:
IN THE OLD TOWN
Salzburg Christmas Market at Domplatz and Residenzplatz
The historic Salzburg Christmas Market in front of the cathedral and the residential palace is one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in the world. Its unique location in the Historic Center of the City of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, along with its traditional market stalls and long history, make the Salzburg Christmas Market a truly special place to visit.
Christmas Market at Mirabellplatz
The stalls at the Christmas Market on Mirabellplatz stand against the beautiful backdrop of magnificent Mirabell Palace. The market is open daily, with a special musical programme every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Sternadvent
Every year, come Christmas season, the Sternadvent Market in the inner courtyard of the Sternbräu brewery and restaurant is a meeting place for artists and artisans with original ideas, traditional crafts and innovative inventions. After Christmas Eve, the Sternadvent turns into a winter market.
Advent Market at Hohensalzburg Fortress
When dusk falls on Salzburg, the beautifully illuminated path leading up to the fortress offers a little preview of what awaits at the top. The Advent Market at Hohensalzburg high above the city is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit. Open Fridays through Sundays during the Advent season.
Advent at the Abbey
St. Peter’s Abbey is the oldest monastery in the German-speaking world. Here, visitors will enjoy the beautiful decorations in the middle of the old town, along with winter magic and delicious holiday punch :-) right next to St. Peter’s Cemetery and not far from Salzburg Cathedral.
WITH ALL THE SENSES
Salzburg Advent Singing
Performed in the Großes Festspielhaus since 1960, Salzburg Advent Singing features old songs and folk music, alpine melodies and local traditions, along with messages of joy and peace.
Original Salzburg Advent
Saint Andrew’s Church at Mirabellplatz forms the magical setting for a programme of events that will take visitors on a reflective and stirring journey back to the their childhood Christmas, with authentic folk singers and baroque music as well poetry, prose and plays.
Salzburg HirtenAdvent
With its nostalgic performances, the “Shepherd’s Advent” returns to the origins of carol singing, putting guests in the mood for Christmas with some of the most beautiful folk songs and traditional melodies.
Christmas & Easter Store in Old Town Salzburg
A must if you love Christmas decorations. With handmade baubles in all shapes and colours, from traditional to modern, this place is sure to have something for everyone.
Sporer Liqueur & Punch Manufacturer
A glass of hot punch from Sporer in Getreidegasse is a taste of quality and tradition – and a wonderful way of warming up in between.
Christmas Fondue
Salieri – The Restaurant at ARCOTEL Castellani in Salzburg hosts a traditional fondue dinner every evening from 24 to 26 December. For steak lovers, the menu also includes specialty cuts from locally sourced, dry-aged beef.
OUTSIDE THE CITY
Adventzauber at Hellbrunn Palace and Park
When it comes to Christmas magic, nothing beats Hellbrunn Adventzauber at the gates of the city. A torch-lined path leads to the inner courtyard of Hellbrunn Palace with its illuminated façade lit up as an oversized Advent calendar. The light installations and fairytale forest of 400 conifers decorated with 13,000 red baubles make Hellbrunn Adventzauber one of Salzburg’s most popular Christmas markets.
Winterfest at Volksgarten
The Winterfest at Volksgarten, the third-largest cultural event in Salzburg and the largest festival for contemporary circus art in the German-speaking world, has been delighting visitors for over twenty years. With breathtaking acrobatics, enchanting stories and subtle humour, the circus festival forms a delightful complement to the Christmas festivities, with an offering that spans the range from the visual to the performing arts as well as dance, music, drama, acrobatics and puppet theatre.
Adventmarkt St. Leonhard
The Advent Market in St. Leonhard is open every Saturday and Sunday during Advent season, as well as on 8 December, with arts and crafts plus elegant gift ideas from Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol. Especially popular are the Christmas bakery for children and the holiday activities in the pilgrimage church. All proceeds go to Lebenshilfe Salzburg, a charity organisation helping people with disabilities.
Christmas Market at the Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf
A visit to the world-famous Silent Night Chapel in the town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg is an unforgettable experience. The carol “Silent Night” was performed here for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1818. The small chapel, beautifully situated in a snow-covered winter landscape, stands guard over the picturesque Christmas market during the holiday season.
Christmas Market at Gut Aiderbichl
Europe’s largest live animal nativity scene can be seen at Gut Aiderbichl, an animal rescue farm not far from Salzburg. The oxen, donkeys and sheep, along with many of the farm’s rescued animals, create a magical holiday atmosphere where people and animals come together. Visitors will delight at the festively decorated wooden huts, the many gift ideas, a selection of regional delicacies, and the opportunity to bake their own campfire bread.
