Program changes possible – please check the applicable Covid measures and the website of the respective organizer. 

In the run-up to Christmas, a family visit to the Vienna Christmas Dream at City Hall Square is a tradition. Children will be wide-eyed at the sight of the wares and treats offered by the 150 or so market booths, the Tree of Hearts, and the crib path. In the fairytale Christmas World in the park, the very youngest guests can look forward to rides on the ferris wheel and the historic carousel.

Other Advent markets with attractions for children

A visit to an Advent market is sure to enchant families – here are some tips for where you can find special attractions for children:

The Prater organizes a winter market on Riesenradplatz. The kids explore the Prater together with the adults – such as on adventure rides on board the winter train, high-flying rides on the chair-o-plane, and at the autodrome. A round on the Giant Ferris Wheel is unforgettable for everyone. Open until January 9!

The Almadvent on Messeplatz opens the Wichtel Bastel Stubn (Secret Santa Craft Rooms) daily, where children from 3 years of age can design their own wooden workpiece, and the "wooden driver's license" is awarded at the end.

In the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace, the very youngest can climb aboard the nostalgic children's carousel and go for a ride on the reindeer railway.

At the new Advent market around Liechtenstein Garden Palace, there's a huge playground and a historic carousel with little horses.

Christmas in and around Schönbrunn Palace

At the Christmas Market Schloss Schönbrunn, there's something for young guests to discover: the adventure starry cottage, the Christmas hidden object image, and giant versions of the games Connect Four and Memory. Shepherds on stilts help the children solve tricky puzzles in the join-in rally. St. Nicholas drops by on December 5 and 6.

Next door in the Schloss Schönbrunn Children's Museum, palace ghost Poldi has come up with a few activities: the themed tour "Christmas in the Children's Museum", the Secret Santa search with reward, and Poldi's craft workshop. St. Nicholas drops by on December 6, and on December 24 there's a special program with puzzle rally and glove puppet tour. On this tour, Poldi recounts how Maria Theresa celebrated Christmas and the fabulous task he had on the imperial family's sleigh rides.

Character play

At the Lilarum, Vienna's biggest children's theater, Christmas character theater fascinates the very youngest from 3 years of age with the story Hase Hoppla und der Weihnachtsbaum (Hoppla Hare and the Christmas Tree). Famous theater people lend the hare and the other characters their voices, such as Anne Bennent and Andy Hallwaxx (November 27 to December 20).

The fairytale theater Apfelbaum presents the story The Holy Night based on a story by Selma Lagerlöf (December 18, 19, 22, 23, 24).

Nativity play, shepherds’ songs, children’s opera

From December 7 to 11, the Vienna Boys' Choir puts on its Christmas rendezvous "Good Shepherds 2021" at its concert hall – the MuTh.

The New Vienna Nativity Play 2021 recounts the Christmas story here in a very modern style, as a multimedia theater experience for the whole family. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and baby Jesus interact with an actor and two musicians (December 12, 19 & 22).

Opera specially for families: at the Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter), downstairs in the bright, comfortably heated crypt. Over the Christmas holidays (December 24, 26 & 30, 2021;January 2 & 6, 2022), The Christmas Witch flies to the music of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. In the Italian Christmas story, Befana the witch arrives too late for the birth of baby Jesus. She comes across the Three Wise Men, who are just setting off on their journey home ...

Advent concerts, theater, musicals

Family highlights at the Stadtsaal are the concert Wenn es Winter wird (When winter comes) with Mai Cocopelli on December 4 (for everyone aged 4 years and up) and an afternoon with Marko Simsa. He and the Kokosbusserl Band invite everyone to rummage deep in the treasure chest of Christmas songs (December 12).

The popular children's songwriter Bernhard Fibich thrills with participatory Christmas concerts at the House of Music (December 19-23) and at Kabarett Niedermair (December 16).

There – at Kabarett Niedermair – even more is on: a pre-Christmas theater experience full of surprises for the whole family and packed with songs is delivered by Schneck & Co.: Herr Holle hört Weihnachten(Mr. Holle hears Christmas) (December 8, 22 & 23). And the WiKiMu – Wiener Kinder Musical puts on Weihnachtshasi und Ostermann (Christmas Hare and Easter Man) for everyone from four years age on December 18. Unusual instruments are used in the Christmas concert of Schneck & Co: from the singing saw to angklungs (December 23).

Theater Heuschreck brings a cheerful Christmas musical for young (from 3 years) and old to the stage at the Porgy & Bess: Von Engerln und Bengerln (Of Angels and Rascals) tells of a curious dormouse family that breaks its long hibernation for the big Christmas concert (December 4, 5, 18 & 19).

Overview: Advent program for families