Christmas markets: Vienna is this beautiful at Christmastime
From mid-November until Christmas, Vienna's most beautiful squares are once again transformed into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas baking, hot punch and toasted almonds wafts through the air. The Old City and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights that spread the Christmas cheer in Vienna. The Christmas markets are canceled due to the lockdown up to and including December 12, 2021 and are expected to reopen on December 13.
A tall arched gateway with candles receives visitors at the entrance to City Hall Square for the Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz. The 150 sales booths at the traditional Christmas Market offer Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary treats, confectionery and warming drinks. The trees in City Hall park and along the Ringstrasse boulevard radiate a festive glow. A special attraction for couples in love is the tree of hearts. The Children's World offers a carousel, a ferris wheel, a crib path, and wonderful light installations in the park.
Not far from here is the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and the Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna. Over 70 booths offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas are set up here during Advent. The romantic Christmas Village on the University Campus is also a popular meeting point during the run-up to Christmas, especially for students. With a children's railway and an old-fashioned carousel, the Christmas Village in the Altes AKH is also a big hit with families. Two curling lanes are also available.
The Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung in the city center is committed to tradition. A Christmas market was held here as early as 1772; today, it is a place to buy handicrafts, glass decorations, traditional mangers and ceramics. Festive Advent music can be heard on the square from 4.00 pm. Top-quality handicrafts can also be purchased a couple of steps further along at the Am Hof Christmas Market. Christmas music and choral singing provide the perfect atmosphere.
Imperial flair in front of palaces
The Christmas Market in front of Schönbrunn Palace enchants with its imperial backdrop. The atmospheric market offers traditional handicrafts, hand-made Christmas decorations, Christmas concerts and an extensive children's program, including Christmas workshop. The Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace impresses visitors with its Baroque background. The unique palace park provides an ideal site for this tranquil Christmas market with elegant handicrafts and culinary delights. New this year is an Advent market at Liechtenstein Garden Palace. The lavish inner courtyard and the park transform into a Christmas wonderland.
Art Advent on Karlsplatz offers a diverse children's program and above all handicrafts to buy. Further variety is provided by art installations, show workshops and live bands. All of the food on offer is organically certified. There are also numerous booths full of handicrafts in the idyllic tiny alleyways of the Biedermeier district at the Christmas Market on Spittelberg as well as numerous other vendors with unique culinary gift ideas.
Enjoyment and tradition
The Christmas Market on Stephansplatz focuses on contemplation and tradition, with around 40 booths at the foot of St. Stephen's Cathedral offering high-quality products from Austria. The Advent pleasure market at the Opera House is all about culinary delights. Gingerbread, cheese, meats, punch and wine from regional producers get connoisseurs’ hearts racing.
Entertainment is the word at the Winter Market on Riesenradplatz under the slogan “The Prater rocks”. There are children's adventure rides, musical live acts from Gospel to Soul and Pop and a humorous show program here until January 9. The Almadvent in front of Messe Wien conveys a rural character. In this Christmas village, in addition to the sales booths, there are also numerous cozy parlors serving culinary delights, as well as a spacious craft parlors.