wintertime
Christmas in Vienna
wintertime
Christmas in Vienna
Vienna Christmas Market & Traditions
Christmas in Vienna
If you love winter, Austria is the place to be during the colder months! The land of mountains transforms into a true “winter wonderland”: snow-covered streets, fields and forests, twinkling lights, and the scent of cookies and mulled wine. (Of course, not every day is perfect — but then again, the sun doesn’t always shine in Spain either… 😉)
And if you love Christmas, you have to visit Vienna during the festive season! Vienna is a dream before Christmas — a true Christmas dream, in fact. It is considered one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations in Europe, and for good reason!
Christmas Market
& Christmas Tours
| Online Ticket | Price | Information | Buy Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Christmas Express |
EUR 15 | With the Christmas Express "train," you can see Vienna's Christmas markets in 45 minutes. Then simply stroll over to them! | Buy Tickets |
|
Combo Offer |
EUR 124 | Visit to Schönbrunn Palace + Concert + Christmas Market Voucher | Buy Tickets |
|
Combo Offer |
EUR 84 |
Concert + Christmas market voucher Where: Schönbrunn Palace (but without a visit to the palace itself) |
Buy Tickets |
|
Votive Church |
EUR 22 |
Immersive light show |
Buy Tickets |
|
Guided tour |
EUR 79 | Christmas market tour in English: 4 markets, mulled wine and snacks included, duration 3 hours | Book Tour |
|
Christmas Concert |
EUR 30 | at St. Stephen's Cathedral, duration: 1 hour | Buy Tickets |
|
Combo Offer |
EUR 75 | Visit to the Strauss Museum + sparkling wine reception + concert. A 4-course meal can also be added. | Buy Tickets |
Tip for Families
Immersium Vienna
Magical Christmas – The Immersive Exhibition
A magical winter experience full of imagination, play, and festive cheer. Children can help the elves at the North Pole save Christmas and become part of an exciting adventure. Look forward to a VR ride, fun snowball fights, and Christmas traditions from around the world — an unforgettable experience for the whole family that makes the festive season even more magical!
14 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
Traditions &
to dos!
Christmas Markets
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Krampus
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Christmas
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New Year's Eve
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Epiphany
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The Time Before Christmas
Vienna Christmas Markets
Vienna is home to some truly beautiful Christmas markets, known locally as Christkindlmärkte. But not all of them are the same! The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is known as one of the most kitschily decorated, while the one at the MQ is very hip and modern. The market at Karlsplatz, with its stunning backdrop, is certainly one of the most beautiful, and the one at the old AKH is perfect for children and families. For a market with a view over the city, head to the rooftop market at the Ritz-Carlton Vienna.
Christmas markets and opening times:
Stephansplatz – Weihnachtsdorf: until 26 December 2025, 11:00 – 21:00 (closed on Christmas Day)
Rathausplatz: 14 November – 26 December 2025, 10:00 – 22:00 (closed on Christmas Day) – with ice rink!
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt (Freyung 7): 15 November – 23 December 2025, 10:00 – 21:00
Winter im MQ: 13 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Maria-Theresien-Platz: 14 November – 23 December 2025, Sun–Thu 11:00 – 21:00, Fri–Sat 11:00 – 22:00 (closed on Christmas Day)
Spittelberg: 14 November – 23 December 2025, Mon–Fri 14:00 – 21:30, Sat–Sun & public holidays 11:00 – 21:30
Belvedere Palace: 14 November – 31 December 2025, Mon–Fri 11:00 – 21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00 – 21:00 (closed on Christmas Day)
Schönbrunn Palace: 6 November 2025 – 6 January 2026, 10:00 – 21:00 (closed on Christmas Day) – with curling and ice skating!
Riesenradplatz (Prater): 21 November 2025 – 6 January 2026, Mon–Fri 12:00 – 22:00, Sat–Sun & public holidays 11:00 – 22:00 (closed on Christmas Day)
Karlsplatz/Resselpark: 22 November – 23 December 2025, 11:00 – 21:00
You can also book an English-language Christmas market tour!
Or the Christmas-Express-Train to get an overview where the markets are!
The festive lights brighten the streets and squares of Vienna. Some displays are so famous that people return year after year — like the heart-shaped tree at Rathausplatz or the hanging chandeliers at the Graben. True to Vienna’s environmental awareness, 85% of all lighting is LED, making it eco-friendly.
Throughout Advent, there are concerts to enjoy — from organ concerts at St Stephen’s Cathedral on the four Advent Sundays, to Mozart and Vivaldi performances before and after Christmas at Karlskirche.
Concerts at Karlskirche: Vivaldi from €34 – tickets available here!
Concerts in the Orangery at Schönbrunn Palace: Various options starting at €55 – view selection here!
Music programmes include concerts of Mozart and Strauss, with or without dinner, Christmas market visits, or palace tours — you can choose your combination.
The
Krampus
While many towns in Austria hold Krampus parades on or around 5 December, this is not common in Vienna — much to the relief of those with a nervous disposition. If you’ve never heard of a Krampus, the following lines will certainly be of interest!
The Krampus is a fearsome creature, resembling a devil. They are recognised by their horned masks and fur-covered bodies. Their presence is announced by loud roars and the clanging of large bells, audible from a distance. They carry iron chains or bundles of sticks, and they are not shy about using them.
Krampuses are meant to frighten naughty children and/or drive away evil spirits. The Krampus is considered a companion of Saint Nicholas, who visits children in Austria on 6 December and brings gifts to the well-behaved. The Christkind delivers another round of presents 18 days later. In the meantime, shopping for gifts is in full swing.
This is especially evident on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — the only public holiday in Austria when schools and businesses are closed, but shops remain open for Christmas shopping. The crowded streets of Vienna each year show just how popular this is with young and old alike.
24-26. December
Christmas in Vienna
As mentioned, in Vienna — and Austria in general — it is not Santa Claus who visits people in their homes, but the Christkind. It arrives on 24 December and, unlike Santa, enters not through the chimney but through open windows. For this reason, it is common to leave a window open from the night of 23 December. Traditionally, the Christkind also secretly decorates the Christmas tree on 24 December, so that children find their presents beneath it during the evening gift-giving.
On 24 December, many shops and museums have different opening hours and are usually only open until early afternoon. On 25 December, Christmas Day, most museums and restaurants are closed or operate on special schedules. It is customary to spend the day with friends and family. The same applies on 26 December. For visitors, it is therefore important to check opening hours in advance to avoid arriving at closed doors.
Let's Celebrate
New Year’s Eve
In general, the Christmas markets in Vienna close after the festive season. A few exceptions, such as the market at Schönbrunn, remain open and transform into a New Year’s market. Schönbrunn is therefore a popular destination on 31 December.
The same goes for Stephansplatz, Rathausplatz, Freyung, and Prater/Riesenradplatz. From 2 pm, these locations host the “New Year’s Eve Trail” — a small party area with (pop) music, mulled wine, sparkling wine, and delicious food.
In the evening, the New Year’s Eve Ball takes place at the Hofburg, and at the Prater Sauna you can welcome the new year dancing to techno. At the Vienna State Opera, Johann Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus” is traditionally performed. Strauss and Mozart can also be enjoyed at the Orangery of Schönbrunn Palace, where the Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra performs a concert on 31 December. But wherever you are, at midnight the Viennese Waltz is played and danced everywhere!
Fortunately, the Vienna U-Bahn runs all night — very convenient, as taxis are in short supply on this night.
The most famous concert is undoubtedly the New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic. This takes place not on 31 December, but on 1 January from 11:15 am in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, and it is broadcast live on television.
The
The Three Wise Men
And before the Christmas season completely ends in Austria, the Three Wise Men arrive on 6 January. This day is, so to speak, the last “Christmas holiday,” as the Wise Men bring incense, myrrh, and blessings.
From 6 January, the (in)official Christmas break comes to an end — along with the school holidays.
Conclusion
For a city trip to Vienna, the advice is simple: visit the Christkindl markets before Christmas, open presents on Christmas Day, and enjoy the New Year’s concert of the Vienna Philharmonic afterwards.
We wish you a happy and healthy Christmas!
Celine & Susi
Text and image rights: © Celine Mülich, 2021–2025
With the support of Susanne Vukan
Other credits:
Christmas market: © WienTourismus / Christian Stemper from the website: https://www.wien.info/de/aktuell/veranstaltungen/altwiener-christkindlmarkt-freyung-2024-1001416
Krampus: © Poertschach_Krampuslauf_Woerthersee_Auen_29112013_836, Photo: Johann Jaritz
New Year’s Eve: 50602-silvester-in-wien-feuerwerk-stephandsdom, Photo: www.wien.info
Three Wise Men: Botticelli, Adorazione dei Magi, Uffizi, Florence
other
Tips for Vienna
Public Holidays
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Coffee House Culture
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Exhibitions in Vienna
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