Lyla Lindsey
Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions, with Austrians celebrating the season in a cosy and reflective way. The country shares many Christmas traditions with its neighbour Germany, but also has many special Christmas customs of its own. So, what is Christmas called in Austria?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | Austrian German |
| Merry Christmas | Frohe Weihnachten or Frohe Weihnochtn |
| Christmas Markets | Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Schönbrunn Palace, Hallstatt |
| Christmas Tree | Decorated with gold and silver ornaments and stars made from straw |
| Christmas Tree Lights | Switched on at 4 pm on Christmas Eve |
| Christmas Day Activities | Skiing |
| Christmas Eve Dinner | Gebackener Karpfen (fried carp), Weihnachtsgans (roast goose), roast turkey, Sachertorte (chocolate and apricot cake) |
| Christmas Cookies | Vanillekipferl, Spitzbuben, Lebkuchen (honey gingerbread), Linzer Eyes |
| Christmas Drinks | Glühwein (sweet, warm mulled wine), berry punch, orange punch |
| Christmas Traditions | Krampus parades, Advent wreaths, Christkind (Christ Child) |
| Christmas Songs | Silent Night |
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What You'll Learn
Christmas in Austria is called Frohe Weihnachten or Frohe Weihnochtn
Christmas in Austria is called "Frohe Weihnachten" or "Frohe Weihnochtn", with the country embracing a multitude of traditions and rituals to celebrate the festive season. The country is adorned with Christmas markets, snow-covered mountains, and twinkling lights, creating a magical atmosphere.
Austria has unique Christmas customs, one of which involves the figure of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, he travels from house to house, rewarding well-behaved children with sweets and small gifts. He is often accompanied by his assistant, Krampus, a beast-like creature clothed in rags, who is believed to punish naughty children with his rod. Krampus parades are a popular tradition, with people dressing up and roaming the towns, striking fear into spectators.
Advent is a special time in Austria, celebrated with wreaths, candles, and Christmas markets. Families gather to make wreaths from evergreen twigs, decorating them with ribbons and four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent. The markets, known as "Christkindlmarkt", sell decorations, gingerbread, and Glühwein (mulled wine), providing a festive experience.
Christmas Eve, known as "Heilige Abend", is when the magic truly begins. Families gather around the tree, which is lit for the first time, and sing carols together. The main Christmas meal is often "Gebackener Karpfen" (fried carp), as many Catholics traditionally fast on Christmas Eve, avoiding meat. However, roast goose and turkey are also becoming popular choices.
On Christmas Day, some Austrians, especially those in the mountains, go skiing. The season is filled with music, including performances of the iconic "Silent Night", which originated in the region in 1818. The song was first performed in a village church in Oberndorf, near Salzburg, and its message of peace and hope has spread worldwide.
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Austrians celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6
Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions. Austrians celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, on December 6. St. Nicholas is an "ancestor" of Santa Claus and a "relative" of Father Christmas. However, in Austria, his feast day is considered a separate holiday from Christmas.
St. Nicholas is celebrated with a procession through town, dressed in 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. St. Nicholas is sometimes accompanied by his devilish assistant, Knecht Ruprecht, or Krampus, a beast-like helper who punishes naughty children with his rod. In a good-cop/bad-cop dynamic, St. Nicholas gives sweets and apples to well-behaved children, while Knecht Ruprecht or Krampus playfully threatens the "little sinners".
In some towns, St. Nicholas visits homes and gives small gifts and chocolates to children. He may also visit kindergartens and primary schools, and some families arrange home visits. Children leave their shoes on the windowsill or outside their bedroom doors, where they find treats in the morning. Austrians also bake cookies, with popular varieties including Vanillekipferl (vanilla crescent cookies), Spitzbuben (rascals), and gingerbread.
The celebration of St. Nicholas is not limited to Austria and is observed in various forms in other countries as well. In the Netherlands, for example, Sinterklaas is believed to arrive by boat from Spain in November, and children put their shoes in front of the chimneys, receiving small presents the next morning. In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht serves as St. Nicholas's servant and gives coal or sticks to children who do not know their prayers.
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Krampus parades are held on December 5
Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions. One such tradition is the Krampus parade, which has become especially popular on the evening of December 5. Krampus is a devil-like creature from Alpine tradition who accompanies Saint Nicholas on 6 December, the feast day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Saint Nicholas gives sweets and apples to the good children, while Krampus, with his chains and switch, is on the lookout for those who haven't been well-behaved.
Krampus parades are held in many places in Austria, including Salzburg, where they have a long tradition. In these parades, people dress up as Krampus, wearing hand-carved wooden masks, shaggy pelts, and heavy bells. They run down the street, growling and half-dancing, half-stamping, scaring spectators as they go. The parades are said to scare away the dark spirits of winter.
The tradition of Krampus is not limited to Austria, however, and Krampus parades have also been held in San Antonio, New Orleans, and other places in America. These parades aim to preserve cultural heritage and often involve people dressing up as the creature. The largest Krampus parade in America is said to be the Krampus NOLAuf Parade in New Orleans, which includes performers from all over the country and abroad, as well as large local crowds.
While the Krampus parades are held on December 5, the day before St. Nicholas's feast day, the Perchten parades, which also take place in Salzburg, are held during Twelvetide, between the winter solstice on December 21 and Epiphany on January 6. Perchten are folk figures that are only found in the Alpine regions of Bavaria and Austria, and their parades are just as memorable as the Krampus parades, if not quite as peaceful.
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Austrians observe Advent with wreaths, candles, and markets
Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions. One of the most charming aspects of the festive season in Austria is the way Austrians observe Advent. From Advent wreaths and candles to bustling markets, there is plenty to see and do in the lead-up to Christmas.
Advent wreaths, known as Adventskranz in German, are a popular tradition in Austria. These wreaths, featuring four candles, serve as a countdown to Christmas. Each Sunday during Advent, a new candle is lit, indicating how many weeks remain until Christmas Eve. The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839 and was created by a Protestant theologian named Johann Hinrich Wichern. Over time, it became a popular symbol of Christmas in Austria as well.
In addition to Advent wreaths, Austrians also enjoy making and displaying other Advent crafts. One such tradition is the Paradeisl or Paradeiserl (little paradise), which can be found in Old Bavaria and alpine Austria. This tradition dates back to the late Middle Ages and involves creating a triangular pyramid with four red apples, candles, and wooden dowels decorated with greenery.
Candles also play a significant role in Austrian Advent traditions. On each of the four Sundays before Christmas, Austrians light candles to mark the passing of time until Christmas Eve. This custom was originally started by Wichern to help children understand how many days were left until Christmas.
During the Advent season, Austria comes alive with festive markets. These markets offer a magical atmosphere, with twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds, and handcrafted gifts. One of the most charming Advent markets is in St. Wolfgang, where visitors can experience regional traditions and authentic handicrafts. The Salzburg Mountain Advent in the Großarl Valley offers a rustic charm with handcrafted nativity scenes displayed by torch and candlelight. In Vienna, the Belvedere Palace transforms into a Christmas village, while the Schönbrunn Palace hosts an Advent market with hundreds of lights.
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Christmas markets in Austria sell handicrafts, sweets, and mulled wine
Christmas, or "Weihnachten" in Austrian German, is a magical time in Austria, full of customs and traditions. One of the most wonderful aspects of the season is the Christmas markets that pop up all over the country. These markets offer a delightful mix of handicrafts, sweets, and mulled wine, creating a festive atmosphere that warms the heart and delights the senses.
The Christmas markets in Austria are a long-standing tradition, with the forerunners of these markets dating back to the Middle Ages. Today, they are a staple of the holiday season, attracting locals and tourists alike with their enchanting displays and tempting offerings. The markets showcase the authenticity of Austrian culture, preserving traditions, rituals, and customs that have been passed down through the centuries.
The range of handicrafts available at these markets is impressive. Visitors can browse stalls featuring local handicrafts, hand-made Christmas decorations, nativity sets, blown glass, wooden toys, ceramics, and even antiques. The markets at Schloss Belvedere, Hellbrunn Castle, and the Festung Hohensalzburg fortress are particularly renowned for their diverse selection of handcrafted goods.
When it comes to sweets and treats, the Austrian Christmas markets truly shine. Visitors can indulge in traditional delicacies such as gingerbread, sugar-roasted almonds, cinnamon stars, and the famous Austrian cookies, Vanillekipferl. For those with a sweet tooth, the markets at Mirabellplatz, Sterngarten, and the Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz are sure to satisfy any craving.
Mulled wine, or Glühwein, is another staple of Austrian Christmas markets. This warm and spiced drink is the perfect way to warm up on cold winter days. Whether it's the Weihnachtsdorf with its punch and mulled wine or the markets at Schloss Belvedere, Hellbrunn Castle, and the Festung Hohensalzburg fortress, visitors can enjoy a variety of flavours while soaking in the festive cheer.
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Frequently asked questions
In Austria, Merry Christmas is 'Frohe Weihnachten' or 'Frohe Weihnochtn' in Austrian German.
Austrians have many Christmas traditions, including Christmas markets, wreaths, and cookies. They also have Krampus parades, where people dress up as Krampus, the beast-like helper of St. Nicholas, and roam the town.
Austrian children believe in the Christkind (Christ Child) who delivers presents to children worldwide. They also celebrate St. Nicholas on December 6th, who is sometimes accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, a regional version of Krampus.
