The 12 Best Christmas Markets in Vienna Austria This Year
The best Christmas markets in Vienna Austria fill the squares around the city’s palaces and cathedrals each holiday season.
Vienna transforms into a winter wonderland during the holidays, adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the aroma of spiced mulled wine wafting through the air. At the heart of this seasonal spectacle are the Christmas markets that dot the city, each bursting with tradition, culture, and yuletide cheer.
I spent last Christmas hoping between cozy markets tucked into narrow streets in the historic city center and large community gatherings in front of iconic landmarks. The best part about Christmas markets in Vienna is definitely the Austrian dishes (hello, everything potato), but you can also do some serious holiday gift shopping at the cute wooden huts and find fun wintry activities like ice skating rinks and carousels.
In this guide, we'll embark on a festive journey to some of the most enchanting Christmas markets Vienna has to offer. Most of the options listed below are located in the central city, so it’s easy to hop around and visit several with just a few days in Vienna.
From the grandeur of the Rathausplatz festival to the intimate charm of Spittelberggasse street vendors, these are some of the best Vienna Christmas markets to visit this year.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz (City Hall Square)
The grandeur of Vienna's Rathausplatz transforms into a fairy-tale setting during the Wiener Christkindlmarkt. Not only is this the largest Christmas market in Vienna, but it’s also one of the grandest in all of Europe, with dozens of vendors, an ice skating track, rides for kids, holiday photo ops, and light shows.
The towering Christmas tree at the center, adorned with sparkling lights, creates a mesmerizing focal point in front of the neo-Gothic style Vienna City Hall. A different tree — the Herzerlbaum — is even more eye-catching, though. It’s in a garden off the main square and decorated with big red hearts that illuminate in a special hourly display beginning at dusk.
Strolling through rows of market stalls, you’ll find handcrafted ornaments, traditional Austrian treats, and artisanal gifts.
Dates: November 15 to December 26, 2024
Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz
Spread across a plaza nestled between the palatial Art History Museum and the Natural History Museum buildings, the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz simultaneously feels both cozy and grand.
This Vienna Christmas market boasts over 70 stalls, showcasing Austrian craftsmanship and culinary delights. If you’re here to shop, expect to find delicate glass ornaments, embroidered textiles, handcrafted gifts, and edible souvenirs.
I ended up eating the most at this location because I couldn’t resist the aroma of sizzling fried dough stuffed with cheese. This market also has private, covered pagodas with tables you can reserve for your group.
Dates: November 13 to December 31, 2024
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Christmas Village at the University of Vienna Campus
The University of Vienna campus transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season. Students and locals alike gather to explore stalls filled with handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and gifts.
The market here has a young and trendy vibe, with creative art pieces and activities like curling. A special section full of lights called the “Fancy Village” features innovative dishes and products for sale. For a fun night out with friends or family, you can reserve private pagodas with a curling rink to play on.
The University of Vienna Campus is right next to the largest Vienna Christmas market at Rathausplatz, so it’s easy to visit them both on one outing.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
The Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace is one of my absolute favorites, thanks in large part to its imperial setting. Against the backdrop of the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, this market combines festive traditions with cultural experiences.
Local choirs and musicians provide a soundtrack of carols as you explore the stalls offering traditional handicrafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts. Some 90 huts fill a square on one side of the palace and an ice skating rink, children’s train, and Ferris wheel add to the festive fun.
The food at this Vienna Christmas market is also top-notch, from stews in bread bowls and hearty grostl (a fried potato, bacon, and onion dish) to crepes and buchteln (stuffed sweet rolls).
Beyond the holiday festivities, you can join tours of the palace or wander the extensive garden grounds on your own. I loved climbing up the hill in the back for a stunning view over the entire city with Schönbrunn in the foreground.
Dates: November 8, 2024, to January 6, 2025
Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace
The Baroque splendor of Belvedere Palace provides a magnificent backdrop for one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in Vienna. The market exudes a refined elegance, offering high-quality handicrafts and bites.
The palace has beautifully manicured gardens on both sides, so it’s the perfect setting to wander around with a cup of mulled wine and some sweet roasted nuts as you take in the views.
In addition to the market, you can tour the Upper Belvedere Palace for an art collection spanning 800 years, the one-time residential palace of Lower Belvedere, and Belvedere 21 for contemporary art in a Modernism-style building.
Dates: November 15 to December 31, 2024
Advent at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace
The Liechtenstein Garden Palace provides a regal backdrop for the Advent market held within its opulent gardens. The holiday stop combines the charm of historic surroundings with the festive spirit, offering a curated selection of artisanal products, culinary goodies, and cultural performances.
This is a newer Christmas market in Vienna, so it’s not as well known yet as some of the others and a bit less crowded. In addition to shopping and dining, you can take a leisurely stroll through the grounds or tour the interior of the City Palace and Garden Palace when they’re open.
Dates: November 14 to December 22, 2024
Art Advent on Karlsplatz
Karlsplatz transforms into a vibrant cultural hub during the Art Advent Market. This alternative Vienna Christmas market focuses on local artisans and sustainability, with regionally sourced products, LED lighting, and entirely organic dishes at the food stands.
The artistic atmosphere is complemented by live music performances and creative workshops, making it the perfect choice for those seeking a unique and socially responsible holiday experience.
The Art Advent Market is also super family-friendly. Activities on the calendar for kids include drawing and craft workshops, fairytale story times, and a carousel of found objects.
This Christmas market in Vienna is situated on a square in front of Karlskirche, a Baroque church with a green dome that hosts regular Vivaldi concerts.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Christmas Market on Spittelberggasse
The cobblestone streets of Spittelberggasse, lined with historic Biedermeier houses, provide an intimate setting for this charming Christmas market. The narrow alleys in this neighborhood are packed with market stands full of handmade crafts, vintage treasures, and culinary treats.
The market's cozy ambiance makes it a favorite among locals and a hidden gem for visitors.
Dates: November 16 to December 23, 2024
Christmas Village at Stephansplatz
Nestled at the foot of the grand St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Christmas Village at Stephansplatz offers a festive escape in the heart of Vienna's city center. The stalls here brim with all the seasonal delights you’d expect, from gingerbread cookies to handcrafted ornaments.
The true highlight is the cathedral, though, a must-see on your Vienna itinerary. It’s the tallest church in Austria at nearly 450 feet and has four intricately detailed towers and a roof with colorful tiles.
If you’re able, I recommend climbing the 343 spiral steps up to the south tower room for stunning views over the city.
Dates: November 8 to December 26, 2024
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Christmas Market at Am Hof
Am Hof, the historical center of the city, welcomes visitors to a traditional holiday market. More than 70 wooden stalls full of handcrafted treasures and tasty bites create a nostalgic atmosphere at this Christmas market in Vienna.
Sip on a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine as you peruse the handcrafted goods and festive decorations. The market’s central location and historic surroundings make it a perfect stop while exploring Vienna's cultural landmarks.
The Am Hof square actually has a really interesting background. Once a setting for a military camp and tournaments in the 1165 AD era, it was built into a fish and farmers market from around 1280.
The Vienna Christmas market here has roots as far back as 1842.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung
Step back in time at the Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung, where the historic square transforms into a festive tableau. Early holiday markets took place here over 300 years ago, and the current iteration has been around for some three decades.
The market celebrates Vienna's rich cultural heritage with artisans showcasing their skills in glassblowing, woodturning, and other traditional crafts. A stage in the square hosts special Advent programs, like a puppet theater, craft demonstrations, and musical performances.
You can also indulge in culinary treats like roasted chestnuts and traditional Austrian pastries.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Winter Market at the Riesenradplatz
The iconic Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater amusement park sets the stage for the Winter Market at the Riesenradplatz. As the illuminated wheel towers over the market, visitors can enjoy a unique blend of festive attractions, live music, and fun rides.
This is more of a modern-style winter fest, but the vibrant atmosphere and activities make this market a favorite for families and groups of friends.
Dates: November 26, 2024 to January 6, 2025
KUK Christmas Market at Michaelerplatz
Though it’s a small Christmas market in Vienna, the stalls at Michaelerplatz have a regal air. The plaza sits just outside the 13th-century Hofburg Palace, once an imperial residence.
The market is referred to as KUK for the German words “kaiserliche und koniglich,” which translates to “imperial and royal.” The white and gold vendor stands with chocolate fountains and delicate ornaments have decorative flourishes to blend in with the surroundings.
Dates: Typically mid-November through the first week in January
