Christmas Markets in Vienna
Christmas in Vienna is a special experience. From late November until Christmas, Vienna’s most beautiful squares are transformed into magical Christmas markets, making the Austrian capital one of the most beautiful travel destinations in this season. Each Christmas market has its own unmistakable charm, boasting an impressive historical backdrop, tucked away in small narrow lanes or located in picturesque parks in the heart of the city. Don’t miss out on experiencing Vienna in the holiday season. Let our ARCOTEL tips make your time spent here unforgettable.
VIENNA CHRISTMAS MARKET AT TOWN HALL SQUARE
The largest and most famous Christmas market with over 100 stalls is the Vienna Christmas Market in front of the imposing Vienna City Hall and the Burgtheater. It is a mixture of romance and nostalgia. The market even offers visitors the possibility to go ice skating through the romantically lit Rathauspark among the lovingly decorated trees. The Herzerlbaum, decorated with glowing red hearts, is the most popular photo opportunity. Children will enjoy the Christmas World in the park with carousel, nativity scene and separate ice rink. Traditional live brass music makes the Christmas mood complete.
IMPERIAL FLAIR IN FRONT OF CASTLES & PALACES
The Christmas markets in front of Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace enchant visitors with their imperial flair. The stalls at the Schönbrunn Culture and Christmas Market sell traditional handicrafts and handmade Christmas decorations, accompanied by live music and an extensive children’s programme that includes a crafts workshop. The Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace delights visitors with its baroque setting. The palace park provides plenty of space for this traditional holiday market offering elegant handicrafts and culinary delights.
(Insider) tip: The Advent Market at Liechtenstein Palace, which is taking place for the second time this year, offers an especially romantic atmosphere in Vienna’s 9th district, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
TRADITION & ARTISANRY
If it’s tradition you want, then the Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung, the Christmas Market Am Hof and the Christmas Village on Stephansplatz are the perfect choice. Somewhat less traditional is the MQ Wintergarten. At Christmastime, the inner courtyard of the MuseumsQuartier is transformed into an attractive winter wonderland with spectacular art and light projects, open guest gardens and a curling lane.
CHRISTMAS MARKET AT SPITTELBERG
Spittelberg goes green! Not far from the bustling Mariahilfer Straße shopping mile, this picturesque market in the narrow lanes of the neighbourhood of Spittelberg invites you to enjoy Christmas with a clear conscience. Many of the market stalls sell products that have been traded or produced under fair conditions, are locally sourced, organic, and vegetarian or vegan, conserve resources or are otherwise sustainable. All of the food and drink at the market are certified organic.
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT MARIA-THERESIEN-PLATZ
The Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the Art History Museum and the Natural History Museum, and the Christmas Village at the University of Vienna are also popular meeting places in the holiday season. The festive Christmas lighting transforms the imperial backdrop on Vienna’s Ringstraße into a fairytale Christmas world.
WINTER MARKET AT RIESENRADPLATZ & ALMADVENT
The Winter Market at the Prater amusement park, directly beneath the Giant Ferris Wheel, is open for visitors again this year. With the wide selection of culinary delights, you can taste your way from one stall to the next from now until 8 January. The entertainment includes a musical offering that spans the range from gospel to soul and pop. The Almadvent in front of the Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Centre has a more traditional character. In addition to the outdoor market area, this little Christmas village also features several cosy parlours, a handicrafts workshop and a creative space for children.
ADVENT MARKET AT BLUMENGÄRTEN HIRSCHSTETTEN
The Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens celebrate the theme of “Christmas around the world” with Stani the Christmas elf, who travels the world in a heated greenhouse to collect the children’s Christmas letters and bring them to Santa’s post office at the Christmas exhibition. Everything is beautifully arranged for young and old. The outdoor market delights visitors with gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, baked potatoes and lots of handmade gift ideas. Bus 22A can take hotel guests directly from Kagran/Westfield Donau Zentrum to Hirschstetten.
FOR ALL THE SENSES
1st DISTRICT OF VIENNA
The pedestrian zone begins at Stephansplatz and continues on towards the State Opera where it reaches the Ringstraße (or vice versa). A stroll along Kärntner Straße is a popular pastime for tourists and locals alike. Amidst the backdrop of historic buildings and modern, stylish flagship stores, Vienna’s most popular pedestrian area offers a delightful mix of luxury shops and fashion labels. The shopping streets also include Roteturmstraße, Graben, Kohlmarkt and the Goldenes Quartier at Tuchlauben. Perfect for shopping and simply enjoying a leisurely stroll.
7th DISTRICT OF VIENNA
The heart of Vienna’s 7th district is Mariahilfer Straße, the city’s longest shopping street. But the side streets of the famous shopping mile are also home to some fantastic designer shops, concept stores and small cafés, often with their own coffee roasters. A stroll through Kirchengasse, Burggasse and Neubaugasse is an experience in itself, with plenty of opportunities to peek into the many shops. Wolfgang Coffee is perfect for savouring some home-roast or browsing among the many stylish bags, books and clothes. The Ferrari Zöchling shop at Kirchengasse 26 offers a collection of stylish one-offs, while the monobrand store of the G-Star Raw denim label at Neubaugasse 12 sells luxury denim and avant-garde streetwear. For vinyl lovers, Black Monk Records has just what they are looking for.
22nd DISTRICT OF VIENNA
Westfield Donau Zentrum, Vienna’s largest shopping and entertainment centre with 262 shops, is a paradise for shopaholics. Here you have it all: hotel, food, shopping – all under the same roof. You could spend days here buying all your Christmas presents. And when you get hungry, the mall’s spacious food court with adjoining cinema and entertainment complex offers a wide range of culinary options with something guaranteed to satisfy every taste. A big plus is the proximity to the U1 underground line, which directly connects the Westfield Donau Zentrum with Vienna’s city centre in just 11 minutes.
