Christmas in Vienna: 8 activities for the Holiday Season

A must for anyone wanting to experience Christmas in Vienna is the Christkindlmarkt. There are many different markets, but the most famous is in front of Vienna’s City Rathaus (city hall). Here you will find everything your heart desires:

• Handmade Gifts: Stalls selling jewelry, wooden toys, candles, and many more gift ideas.
• Traditional Treats: Mulled wine, punch, roasted almonds, chestnuts (Maroni), and gingerbread – a true feast for the senses.
• Atmosphere: Music, lights, and festively decorated stalls create a unique atmosphere.

Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, visit early in the morning or later in the evening. A particularly popular photo stop is the “Herzerlbaum“. With around 200 glowing hearts, the decorated tree is a famous landmark at the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz.

Opening hours: November 15 – December 26, 2024, from 10 AM to 10 PM
Location: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
Website
Free entry

 

Vienna is known as the “City of Music.” Therefore, Christmas concerts are a must during the Holiday season in Vienna. For many, Christmas in Vienna also means attending a traditional Christmas concert.

• Vienna Philharmonic: The famous Philharmonic Orchestra performs a festive concert every year at the Vienna Musikverein.
• State Opera: The Vienna State Opera also hosts Christmas performances – a chance to enjoy the festive atmosphere with classical music.
• Classical Church Concerts: Many Vienna churches, such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral or the Karlskirche, host atmospheric Christmas concerts. Our tip: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons! More information here.
• Mozarthaus: The oldest concert hall in Vienna offers music by Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert. Save 20% on concert tickets with the Vienna City Card! Details here. 
• Schönbrunn Palace Concerts: Enjoy Mozart in an especially impressive setting! A 20% discount is also available with the Vienna City Card.

Tip: For those interested in musicals in December in Vienna, get inspiration here. 

In addition to traditional Christmas markets, Vienna also offers other attractions that are especially enchanting during winter. For example, the Prater is not only known for its amusement parks but also for its winter romance. During the Christmas season, you can ride the famous Vienna Ferris Wheel and enjoy views of the festively illuminated city.

• Ice skating: The Prater has a large ice rink where you can skate in a unique setting.
• Winter amusement rides: Some of the rides are open during the winter and offer a special experience.
• Vienna planetarium: Our tip for the cold December and January days! With the Vienna City Card, you can save 10% on the entrance fee and enjoy the starry sky in peace. Find all the information here.

Opening hours of the winter market: November 16, 2024 – January 6, 2025, from 12 PM to 10 PM (Saturdays/Sundays and public holidays from 11 AM)
Location: Riesenradplatz 2, 1020 Vienna
Website
Free entry

No holiday season in Vienna is complete without a visit to a traditional Viennese coffeehouse. Vienna’s coffeehouse culture is world-renowned and particularly inviting during the Christmas season. Here, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere over a cup of Melange or Sachertorte.

• Café Central: A café with tradition and history. The perfect place for a break during your Christmas stroll.
• Café Landtmann: Another classic Viennese coffeehouse that is especially beautifully decorated for Christmas. For guests with the Vienna City Card, there is a 20% discount on consumption. Details here

Tip: Get more inspiration about Vienna's coffeehouse culture in this blog post

One of the most impressive experiences of Christmas in Vienna is undoubtedly the Christmas lights. The entire city turns into a sea of lights during this time. Particularly beautiful are the light-filled streets:

• Graben and Kärntnerstraße: These two streets are beautifully decorated during Christmas time and form a true sea of lights.
• Maria-Theresien-Platz: Here, the square in front of the Kunsthistorisches Museum shines in festive splendor.

Tip: The famous large red bow at the beginning of Kärntnerstraße is a particularly popular photo opportunity! Location: Kärntner Str. 51, 1010 Vienna

Vienna’s Christmas season is not only known for its markets but also for its festive cuisine. During the Advent season, you can try delicious Christmas specialties all over the city:
 

• Viennese „Apfelstrudel“: A classic served in many cafés and restaurants.
• Maroni: Roasted chestnuts are especially popular in the pre-Christmas season. You’ll find chestnut stands on many corners of the city.
• Gingerbread: These beloved cookies are a must at every Vienna Christmas market.
• Christmas Punch: The typical mulled wine or punch is available in various variations – from classic to exotic.
• Holiday Roasts: Traditional dishes such as goose (Gansl) or carp are served as Christmas dinner in many Viennese homes & restaurants on Christmas Eve.

In addition to the most famous Christmas markets in Vienna's city center, there are also many markets in the surrounding districts. If you prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle, you can experience the festive atmosphere in the following areas:
 

• Schönbrunn Palace: The Christmas market in front of the impressive Baroque palace is less crowded and offers a peaceful atmosphere.
• Spittelberg: A small but very charmingly decorated Christmas market in a historic neighborhood of Vienna.
• Kunsthaus Vienna: The Advent market in front of Kunsthaus offers a mix of handicrafts and Christmas treats. With the Vienna City Card, you can save 30% on the entrance fee and learn more about the famous artist Hundertwasser! Details can be found here! 

Christmas in Vienna is an experience for the whole family. Here are some activities that are especially exciting for children:
 

• Christmas workshops: Many of Vienna's markets organize Christmas craft workshops for children, where they can craft small gifts with their own hands.
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides: A ride in a horse-drawn sleigh through the Prater or Stadtpark is a highlight for both young and old.
• Christmas Express: From early November to early January, the festively decorated yellow sightseeing train runs through Vienna’s city center. As a Vienna City Card guest, you’ll also get a 20% discount on the ticket price. Details on opening hours and departure times can be found under this link.