Mercatini di Natale Innsbruck: 5 mercatini da non perdere

Un Noël de lumière illuminera cette année la Capitale des Alpes. Le premier des nombreux événements organisés en 2019 pour commémorer les 500 ans de la mort de Maximilien Ier débutera à l’occasion de l’Avent. Le LightShow Max 500, un spectacle audiovisuel en 3D, transformera l’un des lieux historiques les plus beaux et suggestifs de la ville en point de départ pour un voyage inhabituel dans le temps. Une aventure étincelante qui rendra Noël à Innsbruck encore plus magique, avec ses six fascinants marchés de Noël, chacun avec son caractère inimitable, plus de 200 stands et de nombreux rendez-vous liés à la tradition tyrolienne, des Krampus, à l’arrivée de Saint Nicolas, jusqu’à l’incroyable chorale de 500 enfants chantant Astro del Ciel pour l’Enfant Jésus.

Une atmosphère magique, entre douces mélodies, l’odeur inimitable de kiachl, de cannelle et d’amandes caramélisées, avec la neige qui se reflète dans les lumières et les lanternes décorant les fenêtres, à vivre en se promenant à pied dans les ruelles du centre ou à bord du tram historique Christkndlbahn, le tramway des marchés de Noël.

Animés par les habitants locaux et suspendus dans des décors féeriques au pied de la Nordkette enneigée, les marchés de Noël d’Innsbruck vous plongent dans le monde magique de la montagne enchantée. Car leurs origines se perdent dans le temps. Ce seront les couleurs, les parfums, les lumières, mais à Noël Innsbruck mélange les habitants locaux avec les touristes, venus même de très loin, peut-être en train, pour profiter de l’ambiance festive du Christkindlmarkt, le spectaculaire Marché de Noël.

Innsbruck Christmas Markets: Christkindlmarkt

Right a few meters from the famous Golden Roof, symbol of Innsbruck, in Austria, the capital of the Alps, strolling through the Christkindlmarkt of the Altstadt, you can walk among stalls full of all kinds of delights, from typical Tyrolean sweets, mulled wine and roasted almonds; there are many curiosities to discover: Christmas decorations, local handcrafted products in wood and glass, genuine Tyrolean loden, decorated candles.

The most famous market in Innsbruck, therefore, takes place in the historic center. As tradition dictates, the many typical stalls display figurines to enrich the nativity scene, finely carved by local craftsmen; the Tyrolean wreaths and decorations for the Christmas tree are luxurious, all accompanied by the essential Christmas sweets, punch, mulled wine to warm the curious at the market.

Mercados de Navidad en Innsbruck: Christkindlmarkt am Marktplatz

Luego está el Christkindlmarkt am Marktplatz, en la plaza del mercado de Innsbruck, es decir, Piazza Landhaus donde se encuentran las oficinas regionales. En este rincón encantado de Innsbruck se presta especial atención a las familias y a los niños, con un carrusel, un pequeño zoológico de animales de granja y el teatro de marionetas que, todas las tardes, encanta a los más pequeños. En la Marktplatz se lleva a cabo, por tanto, el clásico mercadillo diseñado para las familias: el carrusel, el zoológico con animales para acariciar y muchas otras atracciones entusiasman a los niños y acortan la espera de la Navidad; mientras que los padres pueden encontrar puestos con originales ideas para regalos. Este mercadillo se celebra del 15 de noviembre al 23 de diciembre, todos los días de 11:00 a 20:30.

Mercatini di Innsbruck: Maria Theresien Straße

Moving further, here is the Christmas market in Maria Theresien Straße, mainly focused on food and wine products from Tyrolean tradition and characterized by more modern lighting.

Panoramic Christmas Market of Innsbruck

If you want to combine a visit to the markets with a mini excursion to admire Innsbruck from above, you can take the cable car and go to the Panorama Christkindlmarkt Hungerburg also called the panoramic Christmas market of Innsbruck, a very special high-altitude Christmas market. From here, the view of Innsbruck is already fabulous, but for those who want to go even higher, just take the cable car to the Hafelekar station, at 2256 m altitude. The Hungerburgbahn funicular was designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid and encompasses the most innovative aspects of mountain architecture. There is also the possibility to continue the ascent with the Nordpark-Seegrube cable cars up to 2334 m altitude. But this is a unique experience in all of Europe, to go from the historic heart of a big city to the peaks of the high mountains, all in just 25 minutes! The Market is held from November 28 to January 4, from Thursday to Sunday (and on December 8), from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and additionally on December 31 from 8:00 p.m.

Christmas Market in Innsbruck

A very small market but with a distinctly focused character: this is the Christmas market Weihnachtströdlermarkt on Franziskanerplatz. It is not the usual market with Christmas decorations and gifts but a place that will make those hunting for bargains happy: here the stands, about ten, are all dedicated to antique objects.

The Fairy Tale Road of Innsbruck

Not to be missed is also the Fairy Tale Road, featuring a series of large handmade puppets of the protagonists of the best-known stories (Anderson, Grimm…) placed on the facades of the historic houses in the city center; and of course the Living Advent Calendar. It is located in the center not far from Riesengasse (“Alley of the Giants”), represented by four imposing figures, the giants themselves.

Romanticism and tradition. The lights of the large Christmas tree in the center of the square are reflected in the Golden Roof, from which enchanting Christmas music resounds. Around it, more than 70 stalls make their way through the medieval houses, offering traditional Christmas decorations, Tyrolean handicrafts, candles, and typical festival sweets. The Kiebachgasse transforms into the Alley of Fairy Tales and Giants, transporting both adults and children into a world rich in fantasy, while from the panoramic platform you can enjoy a splendid view of the historic center and the entire market.

Marktplatz, a Swarovski tree for the Family Market

A market that looks like a small village, illuminated by a large Swarovski crystal Christmas tree, 15 meters high and decorated with over 170,000 crystals. It is the most beloved Christmas market for families, with a nostalgic carousel with horses, a small farm with animals to cuddle and ponies to ride, the puppet theater, storytelling hour, and the Jaufenthal nativity scene. There are also games, entertainment, and 60 stalls where you can make special purchases, taste many gastronomic specialties, or stop for an aperitif at dusk.
From November 15 to December 23, every day from 11 am to 9 pm.

The market at altitude with a view of the city

A very romantic pre-Christmas meeting point is the panoramic Christmas market on the Hungerburg, with a spectacular view over Innsbruck. Thanks to the futuristic funicular designed by Zaha Hadid, reaching the market will be an exciting adventure: you start from the historic center and in a few minutes you are at altitude admiring the splendid view of the Alpine Capital, breathing fresh air and savoring the delightful scents of Advent. The stalls are set up right next to the Nordkettenbahn cable car stations, inviting you to drink a mulled wine before continuing the ascent with the panoramic cable cars to reach the Seegrube and Hafelekar peaks at 2,256 meters above sea level.

A secret market: St. Nikolaus

Those who love small but carefully curated and refined things will not be able to resist the charm of the St. Nikolaus Christmas market. In the oldest district of Innsbruck, just a few minutes’ walk from the city center, you feel like you are in another world, immersed in a pre-Christmas atmosphere of quiet and reflection. In Hans Brenner Square, you can calmly savor delicious homemade cookies while listening to sweet Christmas music.
From November 24 to December 23, every day from 4 pm to 9 pm.  

LightShow Max 500

A new and sparkling show lights up the Christmas of the Alpine Capital. In 2019, the 500th anniversary of the death of Emperor Maximilian I will be commemorated with a series of events starting already in November 2018 with the spectacular LightShow Max 500. A fantastic 3D audiovisual projection, set against a very special background, the inner courtyard of the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The exclusive staging of the LightShow Max 500 mapping show invites you to take part in a fanciful journey into the world of the famous emperor known as the last knight and first artilleryman. The light show will take place several times a day from November 20 to January 20.

Maria Theresien Strasse, the chicest market

A large rock crystal shines over the Maria Theresien Strasse Christmas market, Innsbruck’s main shopping street. It is the most modern market, with a special setup: along the street, sparkling stylized light trees mark the path leading to the city’s most beautiful shops and stalls, here offering carefully selected Christmas products from all over the world.
From November 25 to January 6, every day from 11 am to 9 pm.

Lights, gifts, bustling squares: the Christmas markets are a great excuse to visit Innsbruck. At Christmas.