Damon Mcknight
Christmas in Austria is a magical time, full of enchanting traditions, festive foods, and celebrations. The country is transformed into a fairytale wonderland, with Christmas markets, decorations, and lights brightening up the dark winter season. Austrians celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th of December, with families gathering to decorate the tree, share a meal, and exchange gifts. The Christmas season in Austria is also marked by the Feast of Saint Nicholas on the 6th of December, Krampus parades, and the lighting of Advent wreaths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Christmas markets | Christmas markets in Austria are full of light and fragrance. Cities like Vienna, Innsbruck, and Salzburg have huge markets, and people from all over the world visit them. |
| Christmas decorations | Christmas trees are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and stars made from straw. |
| Christmas food | Austrians eat "Gebackener Karpfen" (fried carp), "Weihnachtsgans" (roast goose), roast turkey, chocolate and apricot cake "Sachertorte", and Austrian Christmas cookies "Weihnachtsbaeckerei" like "Lebkuchen" (honey gingerbread). |
| Christmas drinks | Austrians drink mulled wine, hot chocolate, and spiced wine. |
| Christmas songs | Austrians sing traditional carols like "Silent Night, Holy Night", which was written in Austria. |
| Christmas traditions | Austrians have an Advent wreath with four candles, one of which is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. They also open the doors on their Advent calendars during this time. |
| Christmas celebrations | Austrians celebrate Christmas Eve on 24 December with close family members. The day often begins with decorating the Christmas tree and preparing dinner. As evening falls, families come together to share a special dinner and exchange gifts. |
| Christmas figures | Austrians recognize figures like St. Nicholas, Krampus, and Perchta. St. Nicholas is accompanied by Krampus, a big horned monster clothed in rags and carrying chains, who punishes children who have been bad. Perchta is an Alpine goddess who punishes bad children and rewards good ones. |
| Christmas customs | Austrians dress up their children as the Three Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) and go door-to-door collecting money for charitable causes. They also have the Anklöpfler custom, where locals re-enact Mary and Joseph's journey by going door-to-door and singing carols. |
| Christmas in Vienna | Vienna, the capital of Austria, is considered the most Christmassy place in the country during the holiday season. It has Christmas markets, grand holiday concerts, and imperial architecture. |
| Christmas skiing | Some Austrians go skiing on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. |
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What You'll Learn
Christmas Eve traditions
Christmas Eve, or the 24th of December, is a significant day in Austria, with shops typically closing early as people prepare for the festivities. Austrians consider Christmas a family celebration, with multiple generations gathering to spend Christmas Eve together. Over the years, each family has developed its unique rituals for the evening, but some traditions are widely observed across the country.
One such tradition is the presence of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, and his companion, Krampus. St. Nicholas, dressed in a flowing robe and a tall bishop's miter, parades through towns carrying a book that records children's good and bad deeds. Krampus, on the other hand, is a frightening figure with bulging eyes, a long red tongue, and horns. He runs through the streets, banging cowbells and rattling chains to scare children into behaving well. Despite the intimidating appearance, the Krampus tradition is done in good fun, with children and adults teasing and laughing, and even pelting the Krampus with snowballs.
Another Christmas Eve tradition in Austria is the Feast of Saint Barbara, celebrated on December 4. Cherry branches, known as "Barbara branches," are brought into homes, and it is believed that if they blossom before Christmas Eve, good fortune and fertility will follow in the coming year. This tradition is especially prominent in Tirol, where the Austrian flag is also proudly displayed during the festive season.
The Christmas markets in Austrian cities and rural areas are also a significant part of the Christmas Eve celebrations. These markets offer a variety of sweets, treats, crafts, and traditional items. The aroma of pretzels, sausages, roasted chestnuts, and hot spiced wine fills the air, creating a festive atmosphere.
On Christmas Eve itself, Austrian families typically gather around a decorated Christmas tree, adorned with candles and surrounded by gifts. They sing traditional carols like "Silent Night, Holy Night" and exchange presents, as Christmas is considered a time for love and reflection.
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Christmas markets
Christmas in Austria is a magical experience, with snow-covered landscapes, enchanting lights, and the aroma of traditional delicacies. The Christmas markets, also known as "Christkindlmarkt", are a beloved tradition, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, buy unique crafts and gifts, and sample Austrian treats. From mid-November until the end of the year, cities and towns across Austria host these markets, each with its unique charm and picturesque setting. Here is a guide to some of the most popular and enchanting Christmas markets in Austria:
Vienna
The Vienna Christmas Market, held in front of the grand City Hall (Rathaus), is widely considered the most famous in Austria. The stunning backdrop of the Rathaus building, with its enchanting lights and mesmerizing decorations, sets the tone for this magical market. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of Christmas carols, the aroma of roasted chestnuts, and the beautifully decorated stalls selling traditional handicrafts and delicacies. The Belvedere Palace, also in Vienna, offers a different experience with a Christmas village set in a baroque setting, full of creative gift ideas and culinary delights.
Salzburg
The Christkindlmarkt in Salzburg is a charming winter wonderland nestled in the heart of the city's historic centre. With the breathtaking backdrop of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, this market captivates visitors with its festive atmosphere. The aromas of pretzels, sausages, roasted chestnuts, and hot spiced wine fill the air, while booths sell Christmas candies, cookies, and other treats. The castle ramparts above town add to the magic, with the traditional firing of cannons to announce the Christmas season.
Linz
Linz's Christkindlmarkt, located in the baroque main square, is a festive wonderland with enchanting lights and traditional delicacies. The market's most famous treat is the world-renowned Linzer Torte, a delicious pastry that has been savoured by locals and visitors for generations. The twinkling lights, joyful carolers, and cheerful ambiance make the Linz Christmas market an unforgettable experience.
St. Wolfgang
The Advent market in St. Wolfgang is one of the most charming in Austria, offering regional traditions and authentic handicrafts. With the floating red Advent candle on Lake Wolfgang in view, visitors can warm themselves by open fires and admire the craftsmanship of glassblowers and blacksmiths. Regional delicacies, gingerbread, and punch complete the magical experience.
Hallstatt
The charming market town of Hallstatt, set in the Salzkammergut Region of the Austrian Alps, boasts a unique and picturesque setting. The market square, surrounded by towering alpine peaks and a serene lake, creates a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
These Christmas markets, with their blend of tradition, originality, and festive cheer, are a testament to Austria's cherished customs and rituals, creating special experiences that capture the spirit of the holiday season.
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St. Nicholas and Krampus
St. Nicholas is a saint who visits children to reward them with gifts if they have been well-behaved. In the 17th century, St. Nicholas was paired with Krampus, a beast-like creature who accompanies St. Nicholas and punishes the wicked. Krampus is said to be a half-man, half-goat devil who beats naughty children with branches and sticks, and in some cases, eats them or takes them to hell.
Krampus appears in the folklore of Austria, Bavaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Northern Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia. In Styria, the Rute (twigs painted gold) are displayed in houses as a reminder to children who have forgotten Krampus. In smaller, more isolated villages, Krampus has beastly companions like the antlered "wild man" figures, and St. Nicholas is not present. In many parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, Krampus is described as a devil wearing a cloth sack around his waist and chains around his neck, ankles, and wrists.
In certain parts of Austria, people dress up as Krampus during the first week of December. The costumes typically consist of fur, large horns, a demonic mask, and a bundle of sticks. They prowl the streets, frightening, chasing, and flogging passersby. The Krampus procession, known as Krampuslauf or ""Krampus run", consists of hundreds of people in costume parading down a street decorated with Christmas trees hanging upside down. The Krampuses ring their cowbells, wave switches, and brandish flaming objects.
In the aftermath of the 1932 election in Austria, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime under the clerical fascist Fatherland Front and the Christian Social Party. In the 1950s, the Austrian government distributed pamphlets titled "Krampus Is an Evil Man" due to fears that encounters with Krampus might damage children's mental health. However, towards the end of the century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations occurred and continues today.
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Christmas Day activities
Christmas in Austria is a time for family, with multiple generations gathering to spend Christmas Eve together. The celebration is steeped in tradition, with Austrians cherishing customs and rituals that have been passed down for centuries.
Christmas Markets
Christmas markets are a popular attraction in Austria during the festive season. These markets can be found in both cities and rural areas, offering a variety of sights, sounds, and treats. The markets are filled with the aroma of pretzels, sausages, roasted chestnuts, and hot spiced wine. Booths sell Christmas candies, cookies, and ornaments, while cafés provide a cosy atmosphere to enjoy hot chocolate and strudel. Some notable Christmas markets include:
- Innsbruck: With six different markets and over 200 stalls, Innsbruck's Christmas markets offer a vibrant shopping experience. A 14-metre high Christmas tree adorned with Swarovski crystals and the sparkling fairy lights of the Old Town add to the magical atmosphere.
- Vienna: Vienna's Christmas markets are known for their picturesque location near the Alps. The markets are filled with the sounds of seasonal music and the sights of hand-blown glass ornaments and other crafts.
- Zell am See: The Christmas market in Zell am See features a lake decorated with floating stars. Visitors can also take a steam train to meet Santa Claus and enjoy treats and live music along the way.
- Salzburg: The Christkindlmarkt in Salzburg offers a variety of culinary delights and cosy cafés. The castle ramparts announce the Christmas season with the roar of cannons, a tradition dating back to when people believed the shots would scare away evil.
Winter Activities
Austria's snowy landscapes provide the perfect setting for winter activities. Popular pastimes include skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and wellness escapes. A guided torchlight walk through the romantic streets of Zell am See or a starlight cruise on the MS Schmittenhöhe offer a unique way to experience the winter wonderland.
Traditional Customs
Austria has a rich tradition of customs and rituals during the Christmas season. Here are some unique Austrian traditions:
- Krampus Runs: Krampus parades are a common sight during the Christmas season, with individuals dressed as Krampus, a horned devil, marching through towns to remind children to behave well. The Krampus runs are often accompanied by St. Nicholas, who is celebrated as the patron saint of children.
- Feast of Saint Barbara: On December 4, cherry branches are brought into homes in Tirol. If the branches blossom before Christmas Eve, it is believed to bring good fortune and fertility.
- Anklöpfler Custom: In Tirol, locals re-enact Mary and Joseph's journey by going door-to-door and singing carols.
- Three Magi Collections: Children dress up as the Three Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) and go door-to-door collecting money for charitable causes, embodying the spirit of generosity and compassion during the holiday season.
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Christmas food and drink
Christmas in Austria is a time for families to gather and share special meals, and the country's Christmas markets are filled with traditional foods and drinks.
Drinks
Austria's Christmas markets are known for their hot drinks, including the famous Christmas punch, or "Weihnachtspunsch". This hot alcoholic beverage typically consists of tea, sugar, red wine, cinnamon, and a strong liquor, and is often served with apples, oranges, or berries. Another popular drink at the markets is hot mulled wine, or "Glühwein", which is made with red wine, mulling spices, oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, there is "Glühmost" (hot mulled cider) and "Kinderpunsch" (non-alcoholic punch).
Main dishes
Traditional Christmas Eve dinner in Austria often features fried carp, a custom that dates back to when Christmas was a day of fasting for Catholics, so meat was not eaten. In Vorarlberg, Christmas dinner is not complete without "Bratwurst" made from veal and mayonnaise salad, while in Upper Austria, potato salad is served as a side dish. In Lower Austria, Vienna, and Burgenland, the traditional Christmas dish is carp or goose. The Christmas goose is typically filled with apples, baked chestnuts, and cloves, and seasoned with salt, pepper, marjoram, and shallots. It is served with potatoes, red cabbage, or dumplings.
Desserts and sweets
Austrian Christmas markets offer a variety of sweet treats, including gingerbread, or "Lebkuchen", which are biscuits flavoured with spices and cut into festive shapes. Another popular option is the "Vanillekipferl", a vanilla crescent-shaped biscuit with a warming kick of vanilla essence. For those with a sweet tooth, there is also hot chocolate, sometimes laced with eggnog or rum, and "Schaumrollen", crumbly puff pastries filled with sweet, foamy cream. Baked apples, filled with cinnamon, hazelnuts, chocolate, and other spices, are another simple yet delicious Austrian Christmas dessert. Traditional Austrian fruit bread, or "Kletzenbrot", is also a popular Christmas treat, filled with dried fruit, figs, raisins, and spiced with lemon, aniseed, fennel, and cinnamon. Lastly, the rich chocolate "Sacher cake", originating from Vienna, is a classic Christmas dessert, filled with apricot jam and served with whipped cream.
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Frequently asked questions
Christmas Eve, or the evening of December 24, is the main event in Austria, when families gather to reflect and exchange gifts.
The main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve and is often 'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as many Catholics consider Christmas Eve a 'fasting' day and so no meat is eaten. However, roast goose and turkey are becoming more popular.
In the period leading up to Christmas, Christmas markets are full of light and fragrance. The cities of Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg have huge markets, but you can find smaller markets in quaint towns, too. In Tirol, lucky charms and customs play an essential role in bringing good fortune during the Christmas season.
On December 4, cherry branches are brought into homes and, if they blossom before Christmas Eve, it is believed that good fortune and fertility will follow.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays in Austria. Many people spend Christmas Day with extended family. Some people go skiing.
