Vienna is one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations in all of Europe. The historic architecture, wonderful museums and pedestrianised streets, all look stunning under Christmas lights and occasional snow.
The main Vienna Christmas Market is held in front of the Town Hall, a stunning backdrop to one of the oldest Advent events in Europe. But there are many other Christmas markets in Vienna and in this guide, I list the best.
Vienna Christmas Market 2022
The Christmas markets span the city from the main market in front of the Town Hall to the magical Christmas Village at the Belvedere Palace.
The Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square is huge, sandwiched between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art, two of Vienna’s most grandiose buildings.
Another favourite is the Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace or you could try the more modern Winter Market at the Museum Quarter.
1. Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz
Vienna’s main Christmas market is a traditional Viennese Advent market located at Rathausplatz, Vienna’s Town Hall.
The Christmas tree and park will be illuminated by Christmas lights and decorations. You’ll find wonderful culinary treats, Viennese desserts, mulled wine, hot cider and hot chocolate.
Handmade gifts are popular and Christmas events include cookie-baking classes and candle-making.
Dates and Locations
Vienna Christmas Market dates: 19th November to 26th December 2022.
Opening times: 10am to 9:30pm. Closes at 6:30pm on 24th to 26th December.
Location: Rathausplatz – in front of the Town Hall.
Reason to visit: A traditional experience with incredible food, drinks, variety and atmosphere all in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is an ice skating rink in front of the Town Hall.
Specialities: International choirs, vanillekipferl Christmas crescent cookies, handmade decorations and the best food in Austria.
Recommended tour: Vienna Christmas markets tour.
Travel tip: Book a long stay if you can. There is so much to see in Vienna, not just Christmas related but in every other way.
Where to stay: 25hours Hotel in the Museum Quarter as it’s close to both the Town Hall and the Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square.
Hotels near Vienna Christmas Market
Vienna is designed in a series of rings that move out from the Danube canal. The area between the canal and the main ring road is called the Innere Stadt (Inner City), where you’ll most likely want to stay.
Around the Musuems Quarter is also desirable as this is where you’ll find many great cafes, restaurants and museums.
I suggest staying at 25hours Hotel as it’s a 7-minute walk to the Town Hall Christmas market for those able to walk. It’s 5 minutes to the market on Maria Theresien Square and 3 minutes to Volkstheater metro station for access to everywhere else in the city.
Alternatively, my guide to hotels near Vienna Christmas Market lists several well-located hotels for all budgets.
Location of Vienna Christmas Market
2. Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Platz
A short walk from the Town Hall, past the famous Volksgarten and Hofburg Palace, you’ll reach Maria Theresien Platz.
This is the stunning square between the Museum of Natural History and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (the Museum of Art).
It’s an incredible location at the best of times but during Christmas, it’s home to the Christmas Village, a small Christmas market that also opens for New Year’s.
Christmas Village dates: 16th November to 26th December 2022.
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 11am to 9pm. Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm. 24th December 11am to 4pm. 25th and 26th December 10am to 7pm.
Location: Maria Theresien Platz.
Reason to visit: A compact Christmas market in one of the most beautiful locations in Vienna.
Tips: Cross the road to visit MuseumsQuartier and the Neubau district bars and restaurants.
Location of the Christmas Village
3. Belvedere Palace Christmas Market
Belvedere Palace is one of many historic palaces in Vienna with a beautifully curated formal garden. The Belvedere Christmas Village consists of 40 traditional market stalls.
This is a great Christmas market if you prefer a more traditional market with fewer crowds than the larger Christmas markets.
Belvedere Palace Christmas Market dates: 18th November to 26th December 2022.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 11am to 9pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am to 9pm. 24th December 11am to 4pm. 25th and 26th December 11am to 7pm.
Location: Belvedere Palace, Prinz Eugen-Straße.
Reason to visit: One of the more intimate Christmas markets in Vienna, situated on the grounds of an incredible palace.
Location of Belvedere Palace Christmas Market
4. Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
One of the most popular Christmas markets in Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace is an incredible baroque setting in which to celebrate Christmas in Vienna.
The Christmas stalls sell traditional handicrafts, wooden toys and an incredible array of Christmas decorations made of glass, wood, ceramics, paper and tin.
The culinary menu offers plenty of punch and mulled wine variations as well as Austrian delicacies such as kaiserschmarrn (sugared pancakes with raisins), sweet chestnuts or gingerbread.
Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market dates: 19th November 2022 to 4th January 2023.
Opening times: 10am to 9pm. Closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day: Open 10am to 6pm.
Location: Schönbrunn Palace.
Reason to visit: Try the vanillekipferl biscuits dipped in hot chocolate.
Location of Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
5. Stephansplatz Christmas Market
In front of the iconic St Stephen’s Cathedral is the very busy Stephansplatz Christmas Market where you’ll find 40 Christmas stalls with Austrian products.
Located in the heart of Vienna’s central pedestrian-only shopping district, you’re sure to come across it at some point during your time in Vienna.
Stephansplatz Christmas Market dates: 11th November to 26th December 2022.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm. Closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve. Closes at 7pm on the 25th and 26th.
Location: Stephansplatz, at the corner of Graben and Kärntner Straße in the 1st district.
Location of Stephansplatz Christmas Market
6. Art Advent Market on Karlsplatz
Art Advent is focused on art installations, music performances and children’s events. Products available here are locally sourced and sustainably made. All the food served here is certified organic.
Karlsplatz Christmas Market dates: 18th November to 23rd December 2022.
Opening times: 12 noon to 8pm daily.
Location: Karlsplatz, near the Karlskirche.
Location of Art Advent Christmas Market
Vienna is an incredible, historic city with beautiful architecture, world-class museums, unique stores, diverse cuisine and a progressive community. Vienna’s Christmas markets have it all. History, tradition, quality and variety.
The city is very walkable, even in winter, and you’re sure to come across other Christmas markets as you explore the city. If you’re not able to walk, the city has an excellent public transport city that is accessible for all.
There are more Christmas markets in Vienna but those listed are some of the best Austrian Christmas markets.
Sustainable Travel Tips
The choices we make have an environmental and social impact on the places we visit. When visiting the Christmas markets, it’s important to keep sustainability in mind.
Implement some or all of these simple measures to create a positive impact.
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
The Viennese appreciate artisanal workmanship and support locally produced goods at the Christmas markets and in their daily lives. You can do the same while in Vienna as part of a wonderful Christmas in Vienna experience.
FAQ
Vienna’s main Christmas market is held at Rathausplatz.
Dates vary but the main Christmas market at Rathausplatz starts on the 19th November and continues until the 26th December 2022.
The Christmas market opens at 10am daily.
The Christmas market closes at 9:30pm except on the 24th to 26th December when it closes at 6:30pm.
If you have visited Christmas in Austria or Vienna in December and would like to share your experience, leave a comment or a Christmas market review below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Vienna, Austria. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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