A Vienna, capital of Austria, December is a month of eager anticipation. Advent is synonymous with markets, walks along the festive streets of the Innere Stadt, the historic center; concerts in the streets and squares, stops at kiosks distributing Glugwein, the hot, spiced red wine, and delicious stops at irresistible cafes, where sweets and specialties of the Habsburg tradition prevail.
Christkindlmarkt
The Vienna Christmas Market has a tradition spanning seven centuries. Since 1975, the “Christkindlmarkt” has been located at the “Rathausplatz”, in a special setting. In front of the Vienna City Hall, in the middle of the famous park of the same name, 140 stalls offer everything you need for an unforgettable day and for the Christmas celebrations.
Christmas Market and Culture at Schönbrunn Palace
This year again takes place the edition of the Christmas market and culture of the Schönbrunn Palace, in front of the baroque setting of the palace.
The offer of about 60 exhibitors is more varied than ever and ranges from decorations for the Christmas tree made of wood, straw, felt, glass, and stone, to ceramic products, tin toys, wrought iron crafts, and hand-carved nativity scenes. You will also find nostalgic paper cutouts, wood fretwork, Klosterarbeiten (miniature floral pieces made entirely by hand), and complicated skill games.
Freshly prepared local delicacies and specialties based on punch ensure the physical well-being of the visitors.
The basic program includes guided tours of the market entitled “Christmas at Schönbrunn” and Advent concerts at Schönbrunn on the stage in front of the Christmas tree.
For our young guests, we offer participation in an interactive Christmas game, Poldi’s Christmas workshop within the program “Living the Schönbrunn Palace,” where children can bake cookies in the courtyard oven of the Café Restaurant Residenz.
Craftsmanship and art meet at the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz between the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Natural History Museum. During the Advent period, the square hosts more than 60 stands with traditional crafts and original gift ideas, while the Museum of Fine Arts hosts an exhibition dedicated to winter in painting, with works ranging from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
Also in an environment dedicated to art is the Christmas market in front of the Belvedere Palace, where Klimt’s paintings are admired in an exhibition that opens the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the author of “The Kiss”.
Traditional Christmas Market – Freyung
The traditional Christmas Market opens its doors. In one of the most beautiful squares in the heart of Vienna, you will find fine handcrafted items, typical Christmas specialties, and a rich cultural program.
The Old Vienna Christmas Market in Freyung Square in the historic center boasts a very long tradition. A Christmas market was already held here in 1772, and today you can buy artistic crafts, glass decorations, traditional nativity scenes, and ceramics. Overlooking Freyung Square is the Schönborn Palace, a magnificent restored eighteenth-century building that houses the Moya, Museum of Young Art.
In the late afternoon, musicians will present their Christmas songs, drawing you into the typical Advent atmosphere on this charming and illuminated square, surrounded by the famous “Viennese Palace,” the “Austria Fountain,” and the “Schottenkirche” church. Additionally, a wide variety of gastronomic specialties awaits you, worth tasting.
The Spittelberg Market, nestled along the narrow streets of this Biedermeier-style suburb, popular especially for jewelry, ceramics, and handcrafted items. And if you still feel like browsing stalls while enjoying a fragrant and warm punch, you can drop by the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum, or the Advent Market in front of the Belvedere Palace.
Besides streets and squares, traditional signs of Advent are not missing in homes, where, punctually every week, one of the four red candles is lit, symbolizing the approach of the holidays.
Vienna on New Year’s Eve
As well as at Christmas, Vienna is also irresistible on December 31, when it transforms its historic center into a huge outdoor party, with a real New Year’s Eve Route, which, from the town hall square, winds through the most characteristic alleys, offering stalls with delicious snacks, and shows with various musical genres, from rock to operetta.
On December 31, there are also those who do not give up a ride on a Danube boat; the Kaiserball, the sumptuous ball in the Emperor’s Palace halls; the galas organized by the town hall and the most prestigious hotels, and a toast on the prestigious Majestic Imperator, a historic train luxuriously arranged.
Meanwhile, the State Opera offers the notes of “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss. Pleasant, finally, is also the awakening on January 1, when Viennese and tourists can indulge in the Katerfrühstück, the so-called “hangover breakfast”, in one of the many cafes or on the square in front of the town hall, where, in front of a giant screen, you can follow the famous Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert.
Other Christmas markets in Vienna
Advent Magic in Vienna and Christmas market at Rathausplatz
16.11 – 26.12.2018
www.weihnachtstraum.at
Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz
21.11. – 26.12.2018
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
Christmas Village at the Belvedere Palace
from 23.11. – 2./12.2018
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
Christmas Village of the Altes AKH
17.11. – 23.12.2018
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
Old Viennese Christmas market
23.11. – 23.12.2018
www.altwiener-markt.at
Advent Market Am Hof
16.11. – 23.12.2018
www.weihnachtsmarkt-hof.at
Culture Christmas Market and Christmas and New Year’s Market at Schönbrunn Palace
24.11. – 26.12.2018
27.12.2018 – 06.01.2019
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at
Art Advent – Art and crafts at Karlsplatz
23.11. – 23.12.2018
www.artadvent.at
Christmas Market am Spittelberg
15.11. – 23.12..2018
www.spittelberg.at
Winter market at the Ferris wheel square
17.11. – 06.12.2018
www.wintermarkt.at/wintermarkt
Christmas Market at Stephansplatz
16.11. – 26.12.2018
www.weihnachtsmarkt.at
K.u.K. Christmas Market
16.11. – 01.01.2019
www.kuk-weihnachtsmarkt.at
