Salzburg is known as the city of Mozart, but in my opinion, it’s also the city of Sacher torte. At Salzburg Christmas Market, you can experience both.
In this guide, I share the confirmed dates for 2024, opening times, locations and what you can expect from a winter trip.
Salzburg Christmas Market
Dates – Confirmed
Salzburg Christmas Market dates: 21st November 2024 to 1st January 2025 (confirmed).
OTHER MARKETS IN SALZBURG:
Mirabell Square: 21st November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Hohensalzburg Fortress: Friday to Sunday: 22nd November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
Hellbrunn Palace: 21st November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
St. Leonhard Advent: Saturday and Sunday: 23rd November to 17th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Stern Winter Market: 21st November 2024 to 6th January 2025 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in January. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the tourist office website, available here.
Note: The following information is for the main market at Residenzplatz. Scroll down for details on the other markets.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Residenzplatz.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8:30pm.
Friday: 10am to 9pm.
Saturday: 9am to 9pm.
Sunday and holidays: 9am to 8.30pm.
Christmas Eve: 9am to 3pm.
Christmas Day: Open 11am to 6pm.
Boxing Day: 11am to 6pm.
27th to 30th December: 10am to 8:30pm.
New Year’s Eve: 10am to 1am.
New Year’s Day: 10am to 6pm.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Salzburg City and Christmas Markets tour.
Public transport: Bus stop: Kapitelplatz.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Salzburg weather in winter: Temperatures average 4°C / -2°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Hotel Wolf is a cosy hotel 2 minutes from Residenzplatz.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Ice skating: Ice Magic at Mozartplatz. 14th November to 31st January 2025. 10am to 10pm. Further details.
Children’s World: At Hellbrun Palace. Program details and tickets.
Reason to visit: Chocolate gingerbread, Mirabell Gardens, Austrian folk traditions.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties:
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Not recommended.
Convenient Hotels
I suggest staying in the Altstadt, Salzburg’s historic Old Town, as it’s close to many of the city’s sights and attractions. Hotel Wolf is one of the nicest hotels in this area.
If that hotel doesn’t suit you, this guide to hotels in Salzburg, based on my travels in Salzburg, lists several excellent options that cover all budgets.
Recommended Tours
This is Salzburg’s most popular walking tour. A local guide will take you to several important landmarks and points of interest, including the historic Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace and Salzburg Cathedral.
As an alternative, you might like to take this food tour to learn about interesting dishes unique to this part of Austria.
If you’re looking to visit more destinations this winter, read my Austria Christmas Markets List for details on where to go and what to see.
Event Location
Main Markets and Events
Advent is an important time of the year, and the Salzberger Christkindlmarkt has been a traditional event since the 15th century.
- Salzburg Christkindlmarkt – The main Christmas market and festival at Residenzplatz.
- Hohensalzburg Castle – Stunning location at the castle courtyard. Read all about it.
- Hellbrunn Palace – A family-friendly Advent market at Schloss Hellbrunn. Hours and tickets.
- St Leonhard Advent – A quiet market in the town of Grödig, south of Salzburg, selling authentic arts and crafts. The proceeds go to charity. It could be nice to go here on the same day as Hellbrunn as they are close by. More information can be found here.
- Mirabell Palace – One of Salzburg’s most beautiful locations. It focuses on unique products and local, traditional food.
- Stern Winter Market – A very pretty market that stays open into January.
- Folk Traditions – Parades feature the Austrian folk characters Krampus and Perchten.
- The Christmas Museum – A unique museum on Mozart Square.
Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.
Christmas in Salzburg
Situated in front of Salzburg Cathedral, with glimpses of the famous Hohensalzburg fortress above, Christmas in Salzburg is traditional, musical and magical.
The wooden market chalets display unique handmade crafts perfect for your holiday shopping, while the backdrop of Salzburg’s baroque architecture enhances the market’s attraction.
Like Vienna, Salzburg has several large and small markets, some within Salzburg’s city centre and others in the surrounding towns and villages.
Regional Specialities
- Vanillekipferl: Crescent-shaped biscuits with ground nuts and vanilla, dusted with icing sugar.
- Stollen: Traditional fruit bread from Germany, popular in Austria, often containing candied fruit and spices.
- Bratapfel: Baked apples filled with nuts and spices, served with whipped cream.
- Kletzenbrot: Dense fruit bread with dried pears and nuts.
- Erdäpfelsalat: Potato salad with boiled potatoes and fresh herbs.
At the Food Stalls
- Lebkuchen: Gingerbread-like biscuits with honey, spices, and nuts, often beautifully decorated and shaped.
- Maroni: Roasted chestnuts sold from small carts, roasted on an open fire.
- Bauernkrapfen: Austrian doughnuts, deep-fried, dusted with powdered sugar, sometimes filled.
- Würstel: Sausages like bratwurst and käsekrainer, served in a bun with mustard or ketchup.
- Glühwein: Mulled wine served in decorative mugs that can be kept as souvenirs or returned for a refund.
- Schupfnudeln: Finger-shaped potato dumplings, pan-fried and served with sauerkraut or dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with apple sauce.
What to Buy
- Mozartkugeln: Round chocolates filled with marzipan and nougat, named after Mozart. Look for those from Fürst, the original producer.
- Ornaments: Decorations crafted from glass, wood, or tin.
- Traditional Austrian Clothing: Items such as lederhosen, dirndls, and Tyrolean hats.
- Local Artwork: Works from Salzburg artisans, including watercolours of the Salzburg skyline and abstract local scenery interpretations.
- Austrian Linens: High-quality textiles like embroidered tablecloths and tea towels.
Things to Do in Winter
Salzburg has so much to offer visitors. The old town is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, offering a special and unique cultural experience.
You’ll find castles, palaces, museums, churches and theatres within the Old Town. You can visit each of them, sometimes for free but otherwise for a reasonable cost.
The city’s most notable attraction is Hohensalzburg Fortress, the white stone fortress that overlooks the baroque city. You can generally catch a glimpse of it from all parts of the city.
I suggest taking the funicular to the fortress as a quick and comfortable way to reach it. You can purchase a ticket when you arrive or buy a castle entrance ticket with the funicular included.
From the bridge, you can see the river, old town, and fortress skyline. If you can, try to visit at sunrise; you won’t be disappointed with the views and beautiful light at that time of the morning.
Another highlight is the Mirabell Palace and Gardens. The formal gardens are incredibly beautiful, even in winter, and here you’ll find it has its own Christmas market.
Mirabell Palace is located on the opposite side of the river to the Old Town, but it’s not far; you can easily walk across the bridge to get there or take a short taxi ride.
Travel Information
Salzburg’s official tourism website is an excellent resource for the latest information on visiting Salzburg and other parts of Austria.
Sustainability Tips
- Public Transport: Take advantage of the extensive and efficient public transport system, including buses and trains. The city’s compact layout also makes walking or cycling feasible.
- Local, Seasonal Food: This city has abundant markets selling locally grown, seasonal produce. Purchasing these supports the local economy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transport.
- Renewable Energy: Salzburg’s electricity network relies on hydropower. By staying in accommodation using this sustainable energy source, you’ll help lower emissions.
- Food Waste: When visiting food stalls and eateries, order only what you can eat. If you can’t finish, ask if you can take the leftovers. Many stalls may provide compostable takeaway containers.
- Souvenirs: Consider buying souvenirs from regional artisans to support their important work and the local economy.
- Sustainable Meals: Austria is known for its hearty meat dishes, but many restaurants in Salzburg offer vegetarian and vegan options. Choosing plant-based meals, even occasionally, can contribute to a more sustainable society.
If you have experienced Christmas in Salzburg or elsewhere in Austria and would like to share your experience, leave a comment or review below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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