It’s the season to be merry, but one Christmas Market stands out from the crowd – well it is the original one after all. Not that the Vienna Christmas Market is a single market, but rather a series of some 20 fares across the Austrian capital.
Nor for that matter was the original market strictly a Christmassy affair, as the first December market held in Vienna was a meat market granted by Albrecht I in 1298. But we will let the burghers of central Europe argue the toss over which was the first festive market in Europe.
Planning your trip to the Austrian capital. Discover the Sustainable Things to Do in Vienna.
Viennese Dream Christmas Market
The main advent market is the Vienna Christmas World, held in front of the City Hall. Listen to international carol singing with free entrance at weekends. Open from 16 November to 26 December, 2024.
Vienna Christmas Market Dates 2024
The first Vienna Christmas markets starts on 8 November. Most markets close on 23 or 26 December, although a winter market tales place at Schönbrunn Palace until 6 January, 2025.
Vienna Christmas Market Breaks
If you are looking to book some accommodation in Vienna during the Christmas market season, make sure you book well in advance.
For suggestion on other Christmas markets, read: Christmas Markets in Europe and the UK.
Other Vienna Christmas Markets
Christmas Village Belvedere Palace, Belvedere Palace, Prinz Eugen-Straße.
Christmas Village Maria-Theresien Platz, Maria-Theresien Platz.
Christmas and New Year’s Market at Schönbrunn Palace, Parade Court, in front of Schönbrunn Palace.
Christmas Market at Spittelberg, Spittelberg, behind the Volkstheater.
If you are looking to avoid the capital then you can always head to the Salzburg Christmas Market instead, and brush up on your Mozart.
For more information on all Vienna’s Christmas Markets
Click here.
Cover image: Karlskirche in Vienna at Christmas Time, c. Austrian National Tourist Office. Photographer: Diejun