A walk through Vienna's Christmas markets
From mid-November until Christmas, historic Vienna’s imperial palace grounds and picturesque squares become the perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland. Here’s what to expect from the city’s famed Christmas markets and how you can make it happen with British Airways Holidays...
Get into the festive spirit with a listen to the Vienna Boys' Choir
Choose a market
With over 20 Christmas markets to choose from in Vienna, from street-side pop-ups to Christmas villages, here’s a pick of the ones that shouldn’t be missed...
Rathausplatz Viennese Dream Christmas Market
Vienna’s largest and most famous Christmas market on City Hall Square dazzles in front of the illuminated gothic style towers of the Rathaus. It’s most recognisable by its crystal blue archway and golden candle Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas) entrance sign.
The Viennese Dream theme intertwines 125 craft and culinary stalls with fairy light spangled gardens, the tree of Herzerlbaum (hearts) and giant butterfly light displays. Every year, Vienna’s largest Christmas tree is displayed here at Rathausplatz – a gift from a neighbouring Austrian State. Ice skate 3,000 m² of looped pathways at the ‘Little Vienna Ice World’ encircling the City Hall’s gardens, or walk the ‘Crib Path’, which takes you on a journey of Christmas via a series of handmade nativity scenes.
Where: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
When: 12th November – 26th December 2021
Opening times: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 – 21:30 | Friday & Saturday 11:00 – 22:00
Maria Theresien Square Christmas Village
A short walk from the City Hall, and the perfect Christmas market duo, is the Christmas Village nestled between the Kunsthistorisches (Art History) and Naturhistorisches (Natural History) museums on Maria-Theresien-Square.
Browse over 70 booths offering traditional treats and handicrafts amongst the scenery of Vienna’s Imperial era showrooms and the neighbouring Hofburg Palace. Go at night when the golden glow of these monumental structures adds to the festive feeling.
Where: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
When: 17th November – 26th December 2021
Opening times: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 – 21:00 | Friday & Saturday: 11:00 – 21:30 | December 24th: 11:00 – 16:00 | December 25th and 26th: 11:00 – 19:00
Belvedere Palace Christmas Village
Two rows of elegant booths marked by rooftop swirls of light stand in front of Upper Belvedere – the former summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy turned into an exhibition space for imperial collections by Empress Maria Theresa. In keeping with a refined style, it’s here where you’ll find the more exquisite handmade gifts.
While the entire palace complex and the French gardens that link Upper and Lower Belvedere are not a part of the Christmas market, you’ll still get to enjoy the graceful views of the lake and surrounding baroque garden.
Where: Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, 1030 Vienna
When: 19th November – 26th December 2021
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 11:00 – 21:00 | Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 – 21:00 | December 24th: 11:00 – 16:00 | December 25th and 26th: 11:00 – 19:00
Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
In front of the glimmering Schönbrunn Palace, the Parade Court transforms into a classical Christmas market set to Vienna’s iconic imperial backdrop. A cluster of 80 booths offers a unique selection of decorations, gifts and toys. Handcrafted from wood, glass, ceramics, paper and tin by exhibitors from Austria and neighbouring countries, everything is specially selected to form a collection called the Schönbrunn Edition, available only in limited numbers.
In stately style, warm up by sampling the exclusive fruity punsch and glühwein selections and tuck into a hearty helping of kaiserschmarrn. This sweet, shredded pancake dish was a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Where: Schönbrunn Palace, 1130 Vienna`
When: November 20th – 26th December 2021
Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 – 21:00 | 24th December: 10:00 – 16:00 | 25th – 26th December: 10:00 – 18:00
Altes AKH Christmas Village
The grassy courtyard of Vienna’s former General Hospital, now Campus of the University of Vienna, turns into the winter village of the AKH Christmas Market. In the 8th district that borders the historical centre, this is typically a local market.
With booths representing all nine Austrian states, eat and drink your way through the country. Visit Tirol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Carinthia, Styria, Burgenland, Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Vienna in one evening, sampling the culinary and mulled wine mixes in homage to each region. Look out for the life-sized nativity scenes, curling lanes, and the untypical Christmas tree constructed using wooden sleighs and bold colour blocks in recent years.
Where: Universitätscampus, Alserstrasse/Spitalgasse, 1090 Vienna
When: 12th November – 23rd December 2021
Opening times: Monday – Wednesday: 14:00 – 22:00 | Thursday & Friday: 14:00 – 23:00 | Saturday: 11:00 – 23:00 | Sunday: 11:00 – 21:00
Spittelberg Christmas Market
One of Vienna’s oldest streets and artist enclaves transforms from a tranquil, cobblestoned avenue into one of the city’s most idyllic Christmas markets. The neighbouring streets of Stiftgasse, Schrankgasse and Gutenberggasse merged with Spittelberg in recent years to form a cosy ensemble of 146 wooden stalls that forge a romantic walkway through the baroque and late classicist avenues.
Expect creative gifts such as Nordic style knitted jumpers and one-off art pieces over traditional trinkets – exhibitors hand-selected by the local cultural association: Kulturverein Forum Spittelberg. And anticipate delectable bites – Spittelberg Christmas Market has picked up the number one spot in the polls of Vienna’s top markets by Austrian gourmet food and dining magazine, Falstaff. It’s said to have the tastiest kartoffelpuffer of all Christmas Markets, freshly fried up from the booth opposite the Witwe Bolte tavern which serves the flaming feuerzangenbowle.
Where: Spittelberggasse, Stiftgasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, 1070 Vienna
When: 12th November – 23rd December 2021
Opening times: Monday – Thursday: 14:00 – 21:00 | Friday: 14:00 – 21:30 | Saturday: 10:00 – 21:30 | Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 – 21:00
Karlsplatz Art Advent
The square in front of the Baroque backdrop of Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) and next to the Otto Wagner Art Nouveau metro station becomes the perfect home to the one-of-a-kind Christmas Market offering in Vienna – the Art Advent.
Every arts and crafts exhibitor is picked by a panel of judges to include ceramics, textiles and jewellery designs you won’t find at any other market. The food and drink caterers are chosen because of their organic credentials, which circle the haystack-filled petting farm in the middle of the square. A schedule of musical events, live bands, street theatre and demonstration workshops continue the artistically staged yuletide festivities.
Where: Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna
When: 19th November – 23rd December 2021
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 – 20:00
Admire the lights
Vienna’s festive street sparkle is mainly found in the historical 1st district (Innere Stadt). The Graben shopping street transforms into an avenue of twinkling chandeliers as Christmas tree vendors haggle beneath. Nearby, Annagasse’s lights present the notes of Silent Night, the Christmas carol composed in Austria. In a nod to its Imperial namesake, Habsburgergasse features crowns and Rotenturmstrasse (red tower street) keeps to its colour signature with a bundle of giant, crimson baubles.
Kärntner Strasse is where you’ll see the symbolic giant red bow that hugs the corner of the Popp & Kretschmer department store, complemented by the three-story high Christmas tree on the façade of the neighbouring Gerstner café.
Top tip
The easiest way to experience Vienna is with the Official the Official City Card of Vienna and ivie, your personal Vienna guide. With the City Card, you’re free to travel on public transport across Vienna, can benefit from discounts on many museums and tourist attractions, and you’ll also have a 24-hours Hop-On-Hop-Off ticket. The Personal Vienna guide, meanwhile, is a handy app that will act as your travel guide while you’re on the city. Whether you’re looking for the highlights or hidden experiences, the app is filled with secret tips, interesting stories and even guided walks to help you learn more about the destination.
Browse the stalls
Wander between the rows of wooden huts beneath fairytale lights, filled with traditional advent handicrafts and artisan gifts. Keep your market mug as a souvenir, or look out for these festive keepsakes...
Snowglobes
Invented in Austria in 1900 and produced for the world from a workshop in Vienna, this is where to buy an original snowglobe with its glassed, miniaturised landscape.
Wooden crafts
The Nutcracker Soldier is the most popular figure, but seek out the small, handcrafted wood tree ornaments, children's toys and delicately detailed nativity cribs that continue woodworking traditions.
Glass baubles
Pick up a glass blown, one-of-a-kind sphere for your Christmas tree – a craft that began around three centuries ago. Choose from multi-coloured glass patterns and intricate hand-painted designs.
Sample the food and drink
The warming aromas of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and baked treats are symbolic of the festive cheer at Christmas markets. Here’s a selection of quintessential food and drinks to try...
Glühwein
The classic Glühwein is what we know as mulled wine – warm, spiced wine served with a wedge of orange, cinnamon and star anise.
Maroni
Grab a cluster of fresh chestnuts that have been hand-roasted over a black-barrelled open fire grill. A snack in-between mug refills.
Kartoffelpuffer
Nibble on one of these plate-sized fried, grated potato pancakes – one of the most traditional savoury snacks found at Austrian Christmas markets.
Lebkuchen
Traditional gingerbread is made using a mixture of honey, nuts and spices, baked to make a thick, soft cookie – a Christmastime delicacy with a secret recipe.
Punsch
A hot beverage mixing citrus fruits or berries with spirits such as rum or gin. Each market has its own distinct and experimental mixes and flavours.
Book your Vienna city break with British Airways Holidays
So you’ve seen all of Vienna’s Christmas markets, and now you need to get there. Festive city breaks are made easy with British Airways Holidays. British Airways Holidays is offering two-night Vienna city breaks with flights and hotels included for just £149pp when you book before 9 January 2022.*
All holidays from British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, and you can take advantage of the book now, pay later low deposit schemes from just £60pp – there is also 23kg baggage allowance per person as standard. And there is a 24hr holiday helpline, where experts are on hand, providing reassurance throughout your trip.
*Travelling on selected dates between 1 January - 31 March 2022 inclusive. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport, 23kg luggage allowance and accommodation. Book by 9 January 2022.
FEELING INSPIRED?
Start planning your dream break to Vienna now by heading over to the official Vienna website.
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