Events & Festivals

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.

Alongside the Vienna Christmas Market and stemming back to the 15th century, Salzburg Christkindlmarkt as they call it in Austria, is one of the oldest advent markets in the world.

This being 2020, it is best advised to check what restrictions are going to be in place before you visit the Christmas Market. As of 8 November all the information below is correct, except the start date. Due to the curent lockdown in Austria no Christmas markets will start before 1 December. However, some may be cancelled altogether. We will update this page once details become more firmly established. COVID-19 measures will be announced here.

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.

For another iconic Christmas market in Europe, head to the Brussels Christmas Market in Belgium.

What to expect from the 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 opens on the Thursday before the first Sunday in Advent. In 2020, this falls on 20 November, although some media reports it opening on 19 November, so double check before you head off. 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 it held?

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 Thursday and Saturday at 6:30pm, there is a traditional brass perfomance – Salzburger Turmblasen – performed above the Cathedral Square;
• Krampus run on 5 Deember from 6.30pm.

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.

For further information

Click here.

Photos c. Salzburg Tourism.