Austria's Christmas Day Celebrations: When And How?

Christmas is a time for family in Austria, with multiple generations gathering to spend Christmas Eve together. The day is seen as a time for love and reflection. In the lead-up to Christmas, Austrians celebrate Advent with candles, festive treats, Christmas markets, and wreaths. Christmas markets in Austria sell decorations, gingerbread, and Glühwein (sweet, warm mulled wine). On Christmas Eve, families gather around a decorated Christmas tree, adorned with candles and surrounded by gifts. The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve, often consisting of 'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as the main course. Presents are delivered by the Christkind (Christ Child) who is pictured as a child with blonde locks, wings, and a halo. Christmas Day, December 25, is a public holiday in Austria.

Christmas Eve celebrations

Christmas Eve, or 'Heilige Abend', is the true start of Christmas in Austria. It falls on the evening of December 24 and is when close family members gather together. While it is not a public holiday, most shops and offices close at midday.

Christmas Eve is a time for families to gather around a decorated Christmas tree, adorned with candles, sparklers, and sweets. Over the years, each Austrian family has developed its own unique rituals for the evening. However, the traditional Christmas carol "Silent Night, Holy Night" is almost always present. This carol was first performed in Austria over 200 years ago and is now the world's most-loved carol.

On Christmas Eve, children believe that the 'Christkind' decorates the tree and brings presents, leaving them under the tree. The Christkind is a blonde-haired baby with wings, symbolising the newborn Christ. Some families open the window on the evening of December 24, so the Christkind can come in. Children waiting outside listen for a bell to ring—a sign that they can enter the room and discover their gifts.

The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve. It is often 'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as this is considered a fasting day by many Catholics, on which no meat can be eaten. However, 'Weihnachtsgans' (roast goose) and roast turkey are becoming more popular. Dessert is often Austrian Christmas cookies, such as 'Lebkuchen' (honey) gingerbread and 'Vanillekipferl' (vanilla crescent cookies).

Christmas markets

Austria is known for its Christmas markets, which are held from mid-November to the end of December. The markets are filled with lights and seasonal treats, creating a magical experience. Here is a guide to some of the best Christmas markets in Austria:

Vienna

The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is one of the largest markets in Vienna. In addition to the stalls selling crafts and food, there is also an ice-skating rink. The Stephansplatz market, located in the shadow of the Gothic Stephansdom church, is lively and energetic. The Spittelberg market has a younger, hipper vibe. The Am Hof market is smaller and offers unique crafts and ornaments. The Schonbrunn Palace market features elegant crafts, including some pig-themed ones.

Salzburg

The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt is located next to the city's main cathedral and is filled with twinkling lights and carolers, making it the perfect setting for some holiday cheer. The Christmas Market at Salzburg Cathedral is one of the five most romantic Christmas markets in Austria.

Gmunden

The Advent Market in Gmunden is one of the five most romantic Christmas markets in Austria.

Innsbruck

The Christmas Market in Innsbruck's Old Town is one of the five most romantic Christmas markets in Austria. The market is accompanied by the sounds of tower brass players from the Golden Roof and the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Schloss Hof

The Christmas Market at Schloss Hof is one of the five most romantic Christmas markets in Austria.

Advent wreaths

The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839, invented by the Evangelical Lutheran theologian Johann Hinrich Wiechern. The original wreath featured four large candles and 20 smaller candles on a wagon wheel that was hung from the ceiling. It was intended to decrease the waiting time for children from poorer backgrounds in the lead-up to Christmas. The wreaths soon became popular in Catholic churches, too, and by 1930 they were a staple of Austrian Christmas traditions.

In Austria, the Advent wreath is typically found in the kitchen or living room, or as a hanging decoration. Austrians light one candle on each of the four Sundays in Advent, singing carols and enjoying festive treats. When the fourth candle is lit, Christmas is near.

Christmas traditions

Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions, with celebrations starting in late November or early December. The country is known for its Christmas markets, decorations, and festive treats.

Advent

The month before Christmas is called Advent, derived from the Latin "Adventus", meaning ""arrival" in reference to the birth of Jesus Christ. During this period, families make or buy an Advent wreath, typically made of fir or spruce branches and decorated with four candles. Each candle is lit on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve, with carols being sung on each occasion. The wreath is usually hung in the kitchen or living room, filling the home with the warm glow of candlelight.

Saint Nicholas and Krampus

Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, is celebrated on December 6th. He is often accompanied by Krampus, a beast-like creature in a fur suit with a terrifying mask, who punishes naughty children with his rod. Saint Nicholas goes from house to house, rewarding well-behaved children with treats like nuts, mandarins, and chocolates. The previous day, December 5th, is Krampus Day, when people in alpine villages dress up as Krampus, creating chaos and scaring spectators.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve ('Heilige Abend') is when the Christmas tree is brought in and decorated with candles, sparklers, and sweets. The tree is lit for the first time around 4 pm, and people gather around it to sing carols, with "Silent Night" being the most famous. The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve, often consisting of 'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as it is considered a ''fasting' day by Catholics. The following day, December 25th, is a public holiday, with many Austrians celebrating with their extended families.

Christmas Day activities

Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions, with many activities to take part in. Here are some Christmas Day activities to enjoy:

Christmas Markets

Austria is known for its Christmas markets, which spring up in towns and cities across the country. These markets offer a unique and special ambiance, with stalls selling traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts, as well as comforting mugs of spiked punch and mulled wine. The biggest and most famous markets are in Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzburg, but there are also romantic markets in locations such as the Christmas Market at Salzburg Cathedral, the Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace, and the Advent Market in Gmunden.

Ice Skating

In Vienna, the biggest Christkindlmarkt is found in front of the city hall, surrounded by a vast ice skating wonderland that snakes through the surrounding park.

Carol Singing

Christmas in Austria is marked by the famous carol "Silent Night! Holy Night!", which was written in the country in 1818. Carol singing is a popular activity, with people gathering around the Christmas tree in the town square to sing together.

Gift Giving

In Austria, children don't believe in Santa Claus but in the Christkind (Christ Child) who delivers presents all over the world. The Christkind is often pictured as a child with blonde hair, wings, and a halo. On Christmas Eve, families gather around the decorated Christmas tree, adorned with candles and surrounded by gifts.

Traditional Food

The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve and is often 'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp), as this day is considered a 'fasting' day by many Catholics, meaning no meat can be eaten. However, roast goose and turkey are also becoming more popular. Traditional desserts include chocolate and apricot cake 'Sachertorte' and Austrian Christmas cookies 'Weihnachtsbaeckerei' like 'Lebkuchen' (honey gingerbread) and 'Vanillekipferl' (vanilla crescent cookies).

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