Santa Claus In Austria: What's In A Name?

In Austria, Santa Claus is called Saint Nikolaus (Heiliger Nikolaus) or just Nikolaus. However, Austrians believe that it is not Santa Claus who brings gifts, but baby Jesus Christkind.

Santa Claus is called Saint Nikolaus (Heiliger Nikolaus) or just Nikolaus in Austria

Saint Nikolaus or Nikolaus is the Austrian equivalent of Santa Claus, and he is said to bring gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The tradition of Saint Nikolaus or Nikolaus bringing gifts is an important part of Austrian Christmas celebrations, and it is a time when families come together to enjoy the festive season.

The Austrian Christmas markets are a popular attraction during the festive season, and they offer a unique and special ambiance. Visitors can enjoy traditional Austrian food and drinks, as well as browse the stalls for unique gifts. The Christkindlmarkt in front of Vienna's city hall is particularly popular, as it offers a magical ice skating experience in addition to the market stalls.

While Saint Nikolaus or Nikolaus is the traditional bringer of gifts in Austria, there has been some cultural debate about whether Santa Claus should also be included in Christmas marketing materials. Vienna's Mayor, Dr Michael Ludwig, introduced the Viennese Christkind in 2018, which sparked a discussion about who should be pitched as the bringer of gifts in Austria. This debate first came to a head in 2004, with both sides arguing their case via the media.

Austrians celebrate Christmas on December 24th, Christmas Eve

The season's celebrations start long before Christmas Eve, with the Christmas markets. The biggest Christkindlmarkt of Austria is the one in front of Vienna's city hall, surrounded by a vast ice skating wonderland that snakes through the surrounding park. Austrian Christmas markets are filled with stalls where you can find a comforting mug of spiked punch, mulled wine, and a mixture of both traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts.

On Christmas Eve, Austrians spend the day decorating the Christmas tree, cooking a feast or attending a Christmas mass. In the evening, one living room window is opened to allow the Christkind to come by and bring the Christmas presents. Presents in Austria are not brought by Santa Claus, but by the Christkind.

The typical Christmas dinner varies from state to state. In the Salzburg region, it is typical to eat sausage soup. Carp, veal sausages with sauerkraut or other dishes are enjoyed on Christmas Eve. The traditional dessert is, of course, Christmas cookies. Austrians are very proud of their wide variety of Christmas cookies.

The holy mass on the night of December 24th to 25th is called Christmas mass – in German “Christmette”. It traditionally starts at midnight, but many Austrian municipalities have postponed their start a little and already start at 10 or 11 pm. From December 1 to December 24, each day another "window" is opened until Christmas Eve finally arrives.

Baby Jesus Christkind brings gifts, not Santa Claus

In Austria, it is not Santa Claus who brings gifts, but baby Jesus Christkind. Santa Claus in Austria is called Saint Nikolaus (Heiliger Nikolaus) or just Nikolaus. The debate about who should be pitched as the bringer of gifts in Austria has been going on for some time, with religious and non-religious groups arguing for either Santa Claus or the Christkind. The biggest Christkindlmarkt of Austria is the one in front of Vienna’s city hall, surrounded by a vast ice skating wonderland that snakes through the surrounding park. Austrian Christmas markets are filled with stalls where you can find a comforting mug of spiked punch, mulled wine, and a mixture of both traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts.

Vienna's Mayor, Dr Michael Ludwig, introduced the Viennese Christkind in 2018

In Austria, Santa Claus is called Saint Nikolaus (Heiliger Nikolaus) or just Nikolaus. However, in 2018, Vienna's Mayor, Dr Michael Ludwig, introduced the Viennese Christkind. This led to a cultural debate about who should be pitched as the bringer of gifts in Austria. Traditionally, Austrians celebrate Christmas on 24 December, Christmas Eve, when Christkind, or baby Jesus, brings gifts. The season's celebrations start long before that, however, with Christmas markets across the country. The biggest of these is the Christkindlmarkt in front of Vienna's city hall, surrounded by a vast ice skating wonderland. Austrian Christmas markets are filled with stalls selling spiked punch, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts.

Austrian Christmas markets are famous for their spiked punch, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts

Santa Claus is called Saint Nikolaus (Heiliger Nikolaus) or just Nikolaus in Austria. Austrian Christmas markets are famous for their spiked punch, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts. The biggest Austrian Christmas market is in front of Vienna's city hall, surrounded by a vast ice skating wonderland that snakes through the surrounding park.

Austrian Christmas markets are filled with stalls where you can find a comforting mug of spiked punch, mulled wine, and a mixture of both traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts. Glühwein (mulled wine) is the most traditional and famous drink at Austrian Christmas markets. It is made from red wine and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and lemon zest. It is often served in Christmas-themed mugs, which make for lovely souvenirs.

There are many other traditional Austrian cookies that you must try during the festive season, including rum balls, gingerbread, and coconut macaroons. Kokosbusserl are made from flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and coconut flakes. They are small, moist, and round cookies. Punsch is the most traditional Christmas drink among the locals. It can be a mix of tea, spices, sugar, and different spirits, such as rum or schnapps.

Glühmost is another drink that is a must at any Christmas market in Vienna. It is made from cider, mixed with apple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice, and spiced with cinnamon, sugar, cloves, and star anise. Sometimes, honey is added to the mix as well. Hot chocolate is another famous hot drink served at Christmas markets. If you want to take it to the next level, order it with eggnog or rum. There are many different variations to that as well, such as white hot chocolate or hot chocolate with cherry schnapps (called Snow-white, after the Disney movie).

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