Vienna is one of Europe’s most beautiful winter destinations. The historic architecture, outstanding museums, and pedestrianised streets look stunning under festive lights and occasional snow.
The central Vienna Christmas Market in front of the Town Hall provides a stunning backdrop to one of Europe’s oldest Advent events. This guide covers the best locations around the city, including confirmed dates.
Vienna Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Vienna Christmas Market dates: 16th November to 26th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in May. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the tourist office, available here.
Note: The following details are for the main Town Hall event. Scroll down for details on the other locations.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Rathausplatz (Town Hall).
Opening times: 10am to 9:30pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am at 6:30pm.
Christmas Day: Open – 10am at 6:30pm.
Boxing Day: 10am at 6:30pm.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Vienna Christmas markets tour.
Public transport: Lines 1, 71, D, U2Z: Rathausplatz or Burgtheater stop. Line 2: Parliament stop. Use Stadiongasse, Parliament or Schottentor at peak times.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. BOE Garage City Hall Park is the nearest parking.
Travel tip: Book a long stay if you can. There is too much to see in Vienna on a weekend break.
Where to stay: The 25hours Hotel is in the Museum Quarter, close to both the Town Hall and Maria Theresien Square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: Annagasse, Graben, or Kohlmarkt are great spots for lights. Read the full list here.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, children’s skating is at the Town Hall and is free.
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.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Vienna has the best food in Austria. A list of specialties are below.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
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.
Another option is the Museums Quarter, where I like to stay in Vienna. It’s a cool area with independent stores, small bars, and great brunch spots, but it’s still within walking distance of the main sights.
I suggest staying at the 25hours Hotel in this area. It’s just near the Volkstheater underground station, making it easy to get around the city if it’s inconvenient to walk. I’ve stayed at this hotel, and it’s quirky yet comfortable.
Otherwise, my guide to hotels in Vienna lists several other options covering all budgets.
Recommended Tours
I recommend this walking tour of central Vienna as it gives an overview of many of the city’s main attractions, such as the Hofburg Palace, Palmenhouse, and Vienna State Opera
Another popular tour is this Viennese market tour at the iconic fresh food market, Naschmarkt.
Read our Austria Christmas Markets List for more ideas on where to go and tips on planning.
Town Hall Location
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
List of All Markets
1. Rathausplatz (Town Hall)
Vienna Christmas Market is the traditional Viennese Advent market at Rathausplatz, Vienna’s Town Hall.
Christmas lights and decorations cover the trees and park pathways. Viennese desserts are a speciality, as are classic mulled wine, hot cider, and hot chocolate.
This is the best ice skating rink for children, and other events include gingerbread baking classes and candle making.
Get the full official details here and information on the market’s history and attractions.
2. Maria Theresien Platz
A short walk from the Town Hall, past the famous Volksgarten and Hofburg Palace, will bring you to Maria Theresien Platz, which you can see in the image above.
This is the stunning square between the Museum of Natural History and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art).
It’s an incredible location at the best of times, but starting in mid-November, it’s home to the Christmas Village, which continues until New Year’s.
Christmas Village dates: 13th November to 31st December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Maria Theresien Platz.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm.
Christmas Eve: December: 11am to 4pm.
Christmas Day: Open – 11am to 7pm.
26th to 30th December: 11am to 7pm.
New Year’s Eve: 11am to 6pm.
Admission: Free.
Ice skating: No.
Accessible: Yes.
Reason to visit: Gorgeous museum buildings and park.
Tips: Cross the road to visit MuseumsQuartier and the Neubau district bars and restaurants.
Website: Full details here.
3. Belvedere Palace
The baroque Belvedere Palace is one of many historic palaces in Vienna. Its beautifully curated formal garden hosts 40 traditional market stalls.
Even though this is a popular destination, I found it to have fewer crowds than some other areas.
Belvedere Palace dates: 15th November to 31st December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Belvedere Palace.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 11am to 9pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 9pm.
Christmas Eve: 11am to 4pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
26th to 30th December: 11am to 7pm.
New Year’s Eve: 11am to 6pm.
Admission: Free.
Ice skating: No.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No, no dogs allowed.
Bike-friendly: No, no bikes allowed.
Reason to visit: Stunning palace location.
Website: Full details here.
4. Schönbrunn Palace – PERMANENTLY CANCELLED
Official website: Read the final notice from the organiser.
Schönbrunn Palace dates: PERMANENTLY CANCELLED
Location: Schönbrunn Palace.
Opening times: 10am to 9pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 4pm.
Christmas Day: Open from 10am to 6pm.
Admission: Free.
5. Stephansplatz
In front of the iconic St Stephen’s Cathedral is the very busy Stephansplatz, where 40 stalls sell Austrian products.
Located in the heart of Vienna’s central pedestrian-only shopping district, you’re sure to come across it sometime in Vienna. It’s a nice spot for a casual mulled wine.
Stephansplatz dates: 8th November to 26th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Stephansplatz.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Eve: 11am to 4pm.
Christmas Day: Open – 11am to 7pm.
Boxing Day: 11am to 7pm.
Admission: Free.
Ice skating: No.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Website: Full details here.
6. Art Advent on Karlsplatz
Art Advent is focused on art installations, music performances, and children’s events. The products here are locally sourced and sustainably made, and all the food served here is certified organic.
Art Advent dates: 15th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Karlsplatz, near the Karlskirche.
Opening times: 12pm to 8pm.
Website: Full details here.
What to Expect
Vienna’s markets are spread throughout the city, with key spots being Rathausplatz and Belvedere Palace.
One of my favourites is at Maria Theresien Square, between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art. I’ve always enjoyed it for its proximity to the Museums Quarter, where you’ll find great cafes, bars, and a mix of traditional and contemporary eateries.
Many people loved the festivities at Schönbrunn Palace, which is understandable given its stunning setting. However, last year was the final event there. I was surprised to learn it’s no longer happening, as it was always so popular. I’m not sure why it ended.
Austrian Specialties
- Bratkartoffeln: Sliced potatoes fried until crisp, often served with onions and spices, a savoury option in Vienna.
- Punsch and Glühwein: Hot traditional drinks; Punsch is a spiced fruit punch, sometimes with rum or brandy, while Glühwein is mulled wine with spices.
- Waffeln: Freshly made waffles typically topped with whipped cream, fruit, and icing sugar.
- Apfelstrudel: A classic Viennese pastry filled with tart apples, cinnamon, raisins, and breadcrumbs.
- Vanillekipferl: Crescent-shaped biscuits infused with vanilla and dusted with icing sugar, sometimes dipped in chocolate.
- Bauernkrapfen: Fluffy rings of deep-fried dough, similar to doughnuts. They are traditionally coated in icing sugar and served warm.
- International Snacks: Popular international foods like German stollen, French crepes, Belgian waffles, Hungarian langos, and Dutch poffertjes (mini pancakes with icing sugar and butter).
What to Buy
- Glass Ornaments: Delicate and intricate, these glass ornaments add a touch of elegance to your tree and would make a great gift.
- Wooden Toys: Traditional offerings include crafted wooden toys, doll houses, games, and decorations.
- Winter Wear: The chilly Viennese weather makes cosy scarves, gloves and hats essential.
- Sweets and Pastries: Traditional sweets such as lebkuchen, Mozart balls, and vanillekipferl are popular purchases, packaged in decorative tins or boxes.
- Viennese Porcelain: Fine porcelain items, such as plates, cups, and decorative pieces.
- Austrian Textiles: High-quality linens, tablecloths, and embroidered goods.
- Lederhosen and Dirndl: Traditional Austrian clothing items, such as leather trousers (Lederhosen) and dirndl dresses.
- Viennese Coffee Sets: Elegant coffee sets, including cups, saucers, and spoons, inspired by Vienna’s famous coffeehouse culture.
- Eco-Friendly Crafts: Items made from sustainable materials by vendors focusing on eco-friendly practices, such as recycled glass ornaments and organic textile products.
- Austrian Wines: Bottles of locally produced wine from Austria’s famous wine regions, often packaged for gifting.
- Local Spirits: Austrian Schnapps, liqueurs and locally produced wines are sold at some stalls.
Sustainable Travel Tips
- Eco-Friendly Hotel: Choose hotels in Vienna that are dedicated to sustainability. These often use renewable energy, provide recycling facilities, and serve organic or locally sourced food.
- Smart Dining: I know it can be tempting to want to try everything, especially when visiting a place for the first time. However, when sampling the food at market stalls, order sensibly to avoid waste.
- Conscious Consumerism: Purchase gifts you’re sure will be used. Choose items that have a story or that you know will be treasured.
- Plant-Based: Order lower-impact vegetarian or vegan meals and snacks. Many are available in Vienna, particularly in the inner city districts.
- Public Transport: Vienna has an efficient public transport system with trams, buses, and an underground network. Walking is also a viable option, as the city centre is compact and most attractions are within an easy distance from each other.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
—
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.
Leave a Reply