Christmas Traditions: Austria's Unique Festive Celebrations

Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions. Austrians start celebrating early, with Christmas markets opening in late November or early December. The pre-Christmas period is marked by Advent, when families make or buy an Advent wreath, usually made of fir or spruce, and decorated with four candles that are lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve, families gather to sing carols around the tree, feasting on traditional dishes like fried carp, and exchanging gifts brought by the Christkind (Christ Child).

Christmas markets, decorations, and food

Christmas Markets

Austria's Christmas markets are a huge draw for visitors from around the world. They usually start in mid-November and run until just before Christmas, with some lasting into early January. The markets are free to enter and often have free entertainment.

The markets are full of handcrafted ornaments, unique gifts, and tasty treats. Expect to find sausages, pretzels, gingerbread, and warm Glühwein (mulled wine). There are also handcrafted decorations, wooden nativity scenes, jewellery, and clothing.

Vienna has the most Christmas markets, with over 20 across the city. The most popular are in front of the town hall, at Schönbrunn Palace, and in the Spittelberg district. The Schönbrunn Palace market has a royal backdrop, with exquisite crafts, gourmet food, and live classical music. The Spittelberg market is great for artisan goods and has an eco-focus. The market in front of the town hall is a fairytale setting with over 150 stalls, an ice-skating rink, and choir performances.

Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt is one of the oldest and most beautiful markets, with over 100 stalls in the shadow of Salzburg Cathedral. Innsbruck's market is set against the picturesque backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the Golden Roof. Graz, Linz, Hallstatt, and St. Wolfgang also have popular Christmas markets.

Decorations

During Advent, many Austrian families will have an Advent wreath made from evergreen twigs and decorated with ribbons and four candles. On each of the four Sundays in Advent, a candle is lit and carols are sung.

Christmas trees are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and straw stars. Decorations include candles (often electric), sparklers, and sweets such as liqueur-filled chocolate bottles and meringue.

Food

During Advent, Austrians love to bake Christmas cookies and gingerbread and prepare punch and mulled wine. The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve. It is often 'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as it is considered a 'fasting' day by Catholics, but roast goose and turkey are becoming more popular. Dessert can be chocolate and apricot cake 'Sachertorte' and Austrian Christmas cookies 'Weihnachtsbaeckerei' like 'Lebkuchen' (honey gingerbread) and 'Vanillekipferl' (almond cookies).

Advent wreaths and calendars

Advent calendars are also very popular in Austria. From 1 December, a new door is opened every day until 24 December.

Saint Nicholas and Krampus

Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, is celebrated on December 6th in Austria. Saint Nicholas is an "ancestor" of Santa Claus and a "relative" of Father Christmas. He is typically depicted wearing a traditional flowing robe, a tall bishop's miter, and a shepherd's staff. He carries a thick book in which children's good and bad deeds are recorded. Saint Nicholas goes from house to house in search of well-behaved children, rewarding them with small gifts, sweets, and fruits like nuts, mandarins, or chocolate.

In the Middle Ages, Saint Nicholas became linked with Krampus, a beast-like creature thought to have originated in pre-Christian myths involving forest beasts and creatures such as satyrs. Krampus is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on visits to children on the night of December 5th, known as Krampusnacht ("Krampus Night"). While Saint Nicholas rewards the good children, Krampus is responsible for punishing the badly behaved ones. Krampus is often depicted as a horned, anthropomorphic figure, with characteristics of both a goat and a demon. He is believed to be the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld.

The Krampus tradition is unique and fascinating. People dress up as Krampus, wearing animal skins and carved wooden masks. They carry long sticks and chains, and sometimes wear sacks to take away bad children. The chains are thought to symbolize the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church. The Krampus parades, or "Krampuslaufs," have become extremely popular, with participants marching through towns, making noise, and scaring spectators. These parades often involve alcohol and playful interactions between the "Krampuses" and the audience.

The pairing of Saint Nicholas and Krampus serves as a good-cop/bad-cop duo, encouraging children to behave well during the Christmas season. While Saint Nicholas embodies the spirit of giving and generosity, Krampus acts as a sinister reminder of the consequences for misbehavior. Together, they create a memorable and entertaining tradition that has become an integral part of Austrian Christmas celebrations.

Christkind and Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, or 'Heilige Abend', is a very important day in Austria. It is when the Christmas tree is lit for the first time, and people gather around the tree to sing carols. The most famous carol is 'Silent Night' ('Stille Nacht'), which was first performed in Austria over 200 years ago.

On Christmas Eve, children believe that the Christkind (Christ Child) decorates the tree and delivers presents. The Christkind is often pictured as a golden-haired baby with wings and a halo. Some families open a window on the evening of the 24th to let the Christkind enter the home. Children waiting outside listen for a bell, which signals that they can come in and see the tree and their gifts.

The Christkind is also the reason that Austrian children don't believe in Santa Claus. Instead, they believe that the Christkind brings presents to children all over the world.

Christmas Eve is also the day when families come together to enjoy a feast. In Burgenland, people eat goose with red cabbage and potato dumplings, while in Styria, cold dishes are served because the roast is reserved for the 25th. In Vorarlberg, raclette is the traditional meal, and in Carinthia, it's smoked sausages, sauerkraut, and dark bread.

The holy mass on the night of the 24th is called the Christmas mass, or "Christmette" in German. It is one of the two largest nocturnal celebrations in the church year.

Christmas carols and songs

Christmas in Austria is a time of celebration, with many traditions and customs that make it one of the most wonderful seasons of the year. Music, songs, and carols play a big part in the festivities.

On the first Sunday of Advent, which marks the beginning of the Christian year, many Austrian families have an Advent wreath in their homes. The wreath is usually made from fir or spruce and decorated with four candles, which are lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve. Caroling is a popular tradition during Advent, with families singing carols together as they light the candles on their wreaths.

One of the most iconic Christmas songs, "Silent Night" ('Stille Nacht'), originated in Austria over 200 years ago. It was first performed in a village church in 1818 and has since become a beloved Christmas carol worldwide. The song is so popular in Austria that there are even Silent Night museums, memorials, and markers in several towns and villages.

During the pre-Christmas period, which starts in mid-November, Christmas markets, known as "Christkindlmarkt", open their doors. These markets sell a variety of festive goods, including decorations, gingerbread, and mulled wine. The markets are filled with the sounds of Christmas carols and songs, adding to the festive atmosphere.

On Christmas Eve, the tree is lit for the first time, and people gather around it to sing carols. In addition to "Silent Night," other popular carols in Austria include "Oh Tannenbaum," "Alle Jahre Wieder," and "Es wird scho glei dumpa." Caroling is not just limited to Christmas Eve, as many families continue to sing carols together on Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day, extending the festive cheer.

The holy mass on the night of December 24th is called the Christmas mass ("Christmette" in German) and is one of the largest nocturnal celebrations in the church year. Attending the Christmas mass is a tradition for many Austrian families, regardless of their religious beliefs.

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