Christmas markets

At the traditional Vienna Magic of Advent, the Rathausplatz becomes a shining fairytale land. The 150 or so sales stands offer Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks. The trees of the surrounding City Hall park are festively decorated and radiate in a sea of lights.

Not far away is the Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, situated between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum. Over 60 stands offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas are set up here during Advent. The romantic Christmas village in the Old AKH is also a popular meeting point during the run-up to Christmas, especially for the younger crowd.

The Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung in the city center is committed to tradition. A Christmas market was held here as early as 1772; today, it is a place to buy handicrafts, glass decorations, traditional cribs and ceramics. Festive Advent music can be heard on the square from 4.30 pm. Top-quality handicrafts can also be purchased a couple of steps further along at the Am Hof Advent Market.

The cultural and Christmas market in the Ehrenhof in front of Schönbrunn Palace offers romance in front of an imperial backdrop, and is converted into a New Year's market after Christmas. The atmospheric market shows traditional handicrafts, handmade jewelry and Christmas decorations. In addition to an extensive children's program, there is also a Christmas workshop. The Advent market in front of Belvedere Palace is also held in an imperial ambience.

An alternative Christmas market on Karlsplatz provides the opportunity for contemplation. There is bound to be a Christmas gift amongst the numerous handicrafts on offer. There's also lots to discover in the idyllic little lanes of the Christmas market on Spittelberg. Projections of photos (daily) and short silent films (Sundays) supplement the cultural offering this year. Conviviality is also in focus at the winter market on Riesenradplatz, which this year runs right through to 8 January. 

Vienna Christmas Market

12 November - 24 December 2011
daily from 10.00 am to 9.30 pm, Fr & Sa until 10.00 pm
24 December until 5.00 pm
Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
www.christkindlmarkt.at

Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz

16 November - 24 December 2011
daily from 11.00 am - 9.00 pm, occasionally 10.00 pm
24 December, 11.00 am - 3.00 pm
Maria Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace

18 November - 23 December 2011
daily from 11.00 am - 9.00 pm
Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna
www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Christmas Village at Altes AKH

12 November - 23 December 2011
Mo-Fr 2.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Sa, Su, hols. 11.00 am - 10.00 pm
Alserstraße/Spitalgasse, Hof 1, 1090 Vienna
www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Old Viennese Christmas Market

18 November - 23 December 2011
daily from 10.00 am - 9.00 pm
Freyung, 1010 Vienna
www.altwiener-markt.at

Am Hof Advent Market

11 November - 23 December 2011
Mo-Th 11.00 am - 8.00 pm, Fr-Su 10.00 am - 8.00 pm
Am Hof, 1010 Vienna
www.kunsthandwerksmarkt.at

Cultural and Christmas Market & New Year's Market, Schönbrunn Palace

19 November - 26 December 2011
daily from 10.00 am - 9.00 pm
24 December from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, 25-26 December from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm
New Year's Market from 28 December - 1 January 2012
daily from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm
Schönbrunn Palace, 1130 Vienna
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Advent Market on Karlsplatz

18 November - 23 December 2011
daily from 12.00 noon - 8.00 pm, food until 9.00 pm
Karlsplatz, 1010 Vienna
www.divinaart.at

Christmas Market on Spittelberg

17 November - 23 December 2011
Mo-Th 2.00 pm - 9.00 pm, Fr 2.00 pm - 9.30 pm
Sa 10.00 am - 9.30 pm, Su & hols. 10.00 am - 9.00 pm
Spittelberggasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, 1070 Vienna
www.spittelberg.at

Winter Market on Riesenradplatz

19 November 2011 - 8 January 2012
Mo-Fr 12.00 noon - 9.00 pm
Sa & Su 11.00 am - 9.00 pm
24 December 10.00 am - 3.00 pm, 31 December 10.00 am - 2.00 am (food), 10.00 am - 6.00 pm (trade)
Riesenradplatz, 1020 Vienna
www.wintermarkt.at