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Salzburg Christmas Market 2018
November 22, 2018 - December 26, 2018
If you are planning to take a trip to a Christmas market this year, you could do far worse than travelling to Austria’s world-heritage city Salzburg, home of Mozart. Stemming back to the 15th century, the Salzburg Christmas Market, or Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, is one of the oldest advent markets in the world.
History of Salzburg Christmas Market
In the 15th Century, the festive fare was called Tandlmarkt, but by the 17th century it had been re-christened Nikolaimarkt or St Nicholas’ Market, and was held for two weeks before and after St Nicholas’ Day on 6 December around Salzburg’s Cathedral Square. As an advent fare, it was regarded only behind Vienna, Amsterdam, Nuremberg and Paris.
What to expect from Salzburg Christmas Market
The market as it is known today really only goes back to 1974. Expect local folk music, mulled wine, incense, Austrian delicacies, 100 stalls selling local crafts and an enormous Christmas Tree, plus lots of singing.
When is the Salzburg Christmas Market
The market open on the Thursday before the first Sunday in Advent. In 2018, this falls on 22 November. It runs until 26 December. Opening hours are from 10am to 8:30pm on Monday to Thursday and to 9pm on Saturday, and from 9am to 8:30pm on Sunday and public holidays.
Where is the Salzburg Christmas Market
The market is in and around the Cathedral Square and Residenz Square, Salzburg.
Salzburg Christmas Market Programme
The programme of events includes guided Christmas tours around the city, choral concerts, readings for kids, and festive songs performed from various spots around Salzburg.
Specifically:
- Each Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm there is a sing-along choir open to the general public;
- Each Thursday and Saturday at 6:30pm, there is a traditional wind music performed above the Cathedral Square;
- Each Wednesday at 4pm, there is a reading of the Christ Child for kids.
Flights from London to Salzburg
Ryanair has flights from London Stansted to Salzburg, Eurowings also operates out of Stansted and London Heathrow, while British Airways has flights from London Gatwick. Austrian Airlines flies from Heathrow.
Accommodation in Salzburg
It will cost you nothing extra to book your accommodation via our hotel bookings portal but the small commission we make helps with the running of this site.
Kirker are organising trips to the Salzburg Christmas Market for details, click here.
Other festive events in and around Salzburg
Advent Mood at Hellbrunn Castle, 20 minutes from the centre of Salzburg (bus 25) from 22 November to 24 December.
Mirabell Square Christmas Market on Goethestraße in the heart of Salzburg from 22 November to 24 December.
St Leonhard Advent Market, next to St Leonhard Church, each weekend from 23 November to 16 December.
For further information on the Salzburg Christmas Market
Click here.
Photos c. Salzburg Tourism.
