Vienna Christmas markets and events
Vienna's tourist season is in full swing during Christmas time, and to help you make the most of it, we've put together an ultimate Vienna Insider Christmas Markets Guide . We update this guide each year with fresh information, and while the offerings at the markets are generally similar from year to year, prices tend to increase, but well…
Despite this, we love the markets for their lively, festive atmosphere and the smell of cinnamon and punch in the air. The decorative lights and overall atmosphere make it feel like you're part of a festive fairytale. December is all about street food, and what better way to warm up with friends than by enjoying a glass of punch or mulled wine and some decadent treats at the markets? ( discover our favorite treats in a separate post here ).
There are many many Christmas markets all over Vienna. Listed here are the ones we like and visit the most (they are, however, not ranked, so make sure to read each section). We update this guide frequently, so you can check back and have a look every now and then. If you are staying in Vienna for just a few days, it might not be possible (nor necessary, to be honest) to visit all of the markets. But we hope this guide will help you find the right ones. Enjoy this post, and look out for our Vienna Christmas market reports on Instagram . We'll show you the markets through videos and Insta stories that we saved in our highlights, so you can check them out anytime!
Christmas Market & New Year’s Market Schloss Schönbrunn
This is probably our favourite Christmas market, so we had to mention it first. It's very spacious, so you won't get run over by the crowd. This market is a great choice if you want to purchase some nice souvenirs or delicacies, and it also has a major imperial vibe! For more information, check our post about the Christmas market at Schoenbrunn here . One of the great things about this market is that it's open after Christmas as well, so if you're spending New Year's in Vienna, you can still enjoy the festive vibe. Also, don't miss exploring the gardens behind the palace. If you're visiting as a tourist, going inside the palace is a must!November 19 – December 26, 2022
Daily from 10.00 am – 9.00 pm
December 24, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm,
December 25+26, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
Schönbrunn Palace, 1130 Vienna
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at
New Years’ Market:
December 27, 2022 – January 4, 2023, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
Website Xmas Market Schoenbrunn
Christmas Market am Hof
This market is located in the first district, just a few streets away from the main tourist zones of Graben and Kaertner Street. It's a smaller market where you can buy lots of souvenirs and try a great selection of food, like huge donuts called Bauern Krapfen with jam or a type of garlic bread called Langos . They also have a good selection of edible gifts, such as gingerbread cookies from the Austrian region of Bad Ischl (which are really good!). For more information click here for a post with more information about this market.November 11 – December 23, 2022
Mo-Th 11.00 am – 9.00 pm, Fr-Su & hols. 10.00 am – 9.00 pm, food until 10.00 pm
Am Hof, 1010 Vienna
www.weihnachtsmarkt-hof.at
Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung
Just a few metres away from the market Am Hof, you'll find the old Viennese Christmas market Freyung. Freyung market is the oldest Christmas market in Vienna, held there since 1772! It has a bit of a vintage vibe, it is cosy and nice. If you like shopping for souvenirs, this market is quite a good option, and if you want to try the Viennese oldest punch recipe (as the sellers claim), then Freyung is the place to go! We like this market because of its surroundings and it’s generally not that crowded, making it feel more like an insider spot.
November 18 – December 23, 2022
Daily from 10.00 am – 9.00 pm
Freyung, 1010 Vienna
www.altwiener-markt.at
Christmas Market on Spittelberg
Spittelberg is the favourite market of most of our local Viennese friends. Well hidden from tourists in the seventh district, close to the Museums Quartier, this market has a unique atmosphere. The cobbled narrow streets and small wooden stands will make you feel as if you were in some other city, far away from imperial Vienna. So, if you are into off-the-beaten-path places and eager to see where the local Viennese people meet for a punch, Spittelberg is the place for you. There are many food and drink stands here which differ from the usual ones on Christmas markets (like the one with gnocchi, for example), as well as some nice souvenirs.
November 11 – December 23, 2022
Mo-Th 2.00 pm – 9.00 pm, Fr 2.00 pm – 9.30 pm
Sa 10.00 am – 9.30 pm, Su & hols. 10.00 am – 9.00 pm
Spittelberggasse, Stiftgasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, 1070 Vienna
www.spittelberg.at
Viennese Christmas Market on Rathausplatz
The Christmas Market in front of the Rathaus, the Viennese city hall, is surely the most popular and colourful of all the markets around the city. Everywhere you look, you’ll see bling! And so are the people… In general, we must admit that we aren’t big fans of this market, because it is super crowded and somewhat over-decorated, but tastes differ.Despite the crowd, we go to this market quite often since this is where we get our favourite treat of all times – the massive stuffed Potato Jim ! We’ve tried stuffed potatoes at several other markets, but Jim is always the best. You’ll find it in the first row, in front of the Rathaus building. Our favourite combination of toppings is garlic sauce, ham, cheese and corn. It is sooooo delicious, true comfort food. Another ‘must try’ at this Christmas market is the berry punch . You’ll find it at the stand which is also in the first row next to the building, in the very left corner.
As for other stuff, you can find a bunch of souvenirs ranging from ornaments, toys, clothes, candles, sweets, everything you can think of. The largest Christmas tree in the city is also here and so is an ice rink! And the picture you can take of the Rathaus and the market is a classical Christmas postcard from Vienna - must-snap!
Tip: If you want to walk around this market in peace, you should avoid weekends and maybe even go during daytime.
November 19 – December 26, 2022
10.00 am – 9.30 pm
December 24-26, 10.00 am – 6.30 pm
Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
www.christkindlmarkt.at
Vienna Ice World at the Christmas Market:
November 19, 2022 – January 8, 2023, daily from 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
December 24, 10.00 am – 6.30 pm; December 31, closed
Art Advent – Art & Crafts on Karlsplatz
The Christmas Market at Karlsplatz is the place to go if you like handmade, artistic souvenirs. It's also perfect for kids because there are many stands where artists sell their crafts and artworks, as well as a playground with hay and farm animals. You'll find more photos and information in a separate article we wrote here.For us, the best thing about this market is that all of the food offered is organically certified ! The treat that we always get here is called Bauernkrapfen – Austrian style doughnut with jam. It is really delicious! There are also some stands with meat dishes that we haven’t seen elsewhere. Just in case you’re a carnivore.
Last year, it was at this Christmas market, at a stand called Zum Franz, where we had the best white mulled wine !
November 18 – December 23, 2022
Daily from 12.00 noon – 8.00 pm, food until 9.00 pm
