A Vienna, capital of Austria, December is a month of eager anticipation. Advent is synonymous with Christmas markets, strolls along the festive streets of the Innere Stadt, the historic center; concerts in the streets and squares, stops at kiosks distributing Gluhwein, hot spiced red wine, and delicious visits to irresistible cafés, where sweets and specialties of the Habsburg tradition prevail.
Mercado de Navidad
El Mercadillo de Navidad en Viena tiene una tradición de siete siglos. Desde 1975, el “Christkindlmarkt” se encuentra en la “Rathausplatz”, en un entorno especial. Frente al Ayuntamiento de Viena, en medio del famoso parque homónimo, 140 puestos ofrecen todo lo que necesita para un día inolvidable y para las fiestas navideñas.
Schönbrunn Castle Christmas and Culture Market
This year once again sees the edition of the Christmas and Culture Market at the Schönbrunn Castle, set against the baroque backdrop of the palace.
The offerings from around 60 exhibitors are more varied than ever, ranging from decorations for the Christmas tree made of wood, straw, felt, glass, and stone, to ceramic products, tin toys, wrought iron craftsmanship, and hand-carved nativity scenes. You will also find nostalgic paper cutouts, wood fretwork, Klosterarbeiten (miniature floral works made entirely by hand), and intricate skill games.
Freshly prepared local delicacies and mulled wine specialties ensure the physical well-being of visitors.
The basic program includes guided tours of the market under the title “Christmas at Schönbrunn” and Advent concerts from 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 as part of the “Living the Schönbrunn Castle” program, where children can bake cookies in the courtyard oven of the Café Restaurant Residenz.
Craftsmanship and art come together at the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz between the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Natural History Museum. During the Advent season, the square hosts more than 60 stands with traditional crafts and original gift ideas, while the Museum of Fine Arts presents an exhibition dedicated to winter in painting, featuring works from the Middle Ages to modern times.
Also, in an art-focused environment, the Christmas market takes place in front of the Belvedere Palace, where Klimt’s paintings can be admired in an exhibition that kicks off the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the creator of “The Kiss.”
Traditional Christmas Market – Freyung
The traditional Christmas Market opens its doors. In one of the most beautiful squares right in the center of Vienna, you will find exquisite handcrafted items, typical Christmas specialties, and also a wide cultural program.
The Old Vienna Christmas Market in the Freyung square in the historic center boasts a very long tradition. A Christmas market was already held here in 1772, and today you can purchase artistic crafts, glass decorations, traditional nativity scenes, and ceramics. The Schönborn palace, a splendid eighteenth-century building recently restored, overlooks Freyung square and houses the Moya, Museum of Young Art.
In the late afternoon, musicians will perform their Christmas songs, drawing you into the typical Advent atmosphere in 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 worth trying awaits you.
The Spittelberg market, tucked along the narrow streets of this Biedermeier-style suburb, popular especially for jewelry, ceramics, and craft items. And if you still feel like browsing stalls accompanied by a fragrant and warm punch, you can stop by the Christmas Village in Maria-Theresien-Platz square, 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 Advent signs are not missing in homes, where, punctually, every week, one of the four red candles is lit, symbolizing the approach of the holidays.
Vienna at New Year’s Eve
Besides Christmas, Vienna is also irresistible on December 31st, when it transforms its historic center into a huge open-air party, with a real New Year’s Eve Route, that, 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 31st, there are also those who do not give up a ride on a boat on the Danube; the Kaiserball, the sumptuous ball in the halls of the Emperor’s Palace; galas organized by the town hall and the most prestigious hotels, and a toast on the prestigious Majestic Imperator, historic train luxuriously set up.
Meanwhile, the State Opera offers the notes of “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss. Pleasant, finally, is also the awakening of January 1st, when Viennese and tourists can devote themselves to the Katerfrühstück, the so-called “hangover breakfast” in one of the many cafés or in the square in front of the town hall, where, in front of a giant screen, you can follow the famous New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic.
Other Christmas markets in Vienna
Magic of Advent in Vienna and Christmas market in Rathausplatz
16.11 – 26.12.2018
www.weihnachtstraum.at
Christmas Village in Maria-Theresien-Platz
21.11. – 26.12.2018
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
Christmas Village at Belvedere Castle
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
Christmas culture market and Christmas and New Year’s market at the Schönbrunn Palace
24.11. – 26.12.2018
27.12.2018 – 06.01.2019
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at
Art Advent – Art and craftsmanship in Karlsplatz
23.11. – 23.12.2018
www.artadvent.at
Christmas market am Spittelberg
15.11. – 23.12..2018
www.spittelberg.at
Winter market in the Ferris wheel square
17.11. – 06.12.2018
www.wintermarkt.at/wintermarkt
Christmas market in Stephansplatz
16.11. – 26.12.2018
www.weihnachtsmarkt.at
K.u.K. Christmas market
16.11. – 01.01.2019
www.kuk-weihnachtsmarkt.at
