Lexi Webster
Austria is a popular destination for Christmas, with its snow-covered landscapes, Christmas markets, and festive activities. The country offers a range of options for those looking to get into the Christmas spirit, from traditional markets in Vienna and Salzburg to Advent celebrations in St. Wolfgang and Großarl Valley. Christmas in Austria is a magical experience, with open fires, handcrafted decorations, regional delicacies, and musical performances. With its mix of activities, enchanting scenery, and festive cheer, Austria is a top choice for a memorable Christmas holiday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Christmas markets | Open until the 23rd or 24th |
| Restaurants | Some may be open on the day after Christmas |
| Shops | Closed on the 25th and 26th |
| Cafes | Many will be closed |
| Museums and tourist attractions | Closed on Christmas Day and possibly New Year's Day |
| Churches | Open |
| Roads | Safe for driving |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Christmas markets
Vienna is famous for its Christmas markets, which usually open in mid-November and close in late December. The largest and most popular market is held on Rathausplatz, in front of the neo-Gothic Wiener Rathaus (Vienna City Hall). Here, you can enjoy food stalls, hot drinks, gifts, and souvenirs, with the beautiful backdrop of the illuminated City Hall.
Another popular market is held in front of the Schönbrunn Palace, where you can find unique handicrafts, Christmas decorations, and culinary delights. The Christmas Village Belvedere Palace is also set in a baroque backdrop, with over 40 decorated market stalls offering handcrafted goods, elaborate Christmas decorations, and special culinary treats.
For those looking for a smaller market, the Spittelberg market is located in a revitalized heritage district with narrow side streets. Here, you can find objets d'art, ceramics, jewellery, and warm clothing. The market at St. Stephans Square is another smaller market, offering a magical, historic ambiance with glittering lights and the scent of Christmas treats.
Outside of Vienna, Austria has many other charming Christmas markets. The Christmas market in the old town of Innsbruck is a traditional market held from mid-November to December. Hellbrunn Advent Magic in Salzburg features a fairy-tale forest of 700 fir trees adorned with 10,000 red baubles and fairy lights. The Salzburg Mountain Advent in the Großarl Valley offers a rustic charm with handcrafted nativity scenes displayed by torchlight and candlelight.
Importing Chocolate to Austria: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Christmas traditions
Christmas in Austria is a time full of customs and traditions, making it one of the most wonderful seasons of the year. Austrians celebrate the season with a series of rituals and customs that have been preserved and passed down through the centuries.
Advent is a special time in Austria, marking the arrival of Jesus and the countdown to Christmas. The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are marked by the lighting of candles on an Advent wreath, with each Sunday featuring a new candle. The wreath is usually made of fir or spruce and decorated with four candles. Families gather to celebrate, with snow covering the roofs and meadows, and the smell of Vanillekipferl cookies baking in the kitchen. Hot Glühwein from the Christmas markets warms cold hands, and roasted almonds are savoured straight from the bag. Children eagerly open new windows on their Advent calendars, and moments of contemplation and silence are embraced.
Christmas markets are a popular feature of the season, with booths selling sweets, treats, and handcrafted items. The markets offer a festive atmosphere with carols, music, and the aroma of pretzels, sausages, roasted chestnuts, and hot spiced wine.
On December 4, Austrians celebrate "Barbaratag," dedicated to Saint Barbara. People cut small twigs from cherry trees or forsythias and place them in a vase at home. If the twig blossoms by Christmas Eve, it is considered a sign of good luck and health for the coming year. On December 5, Krampus Day is celebrated, where people dress up as Krampus, the beast-like helper of Saint Nicholas, and roam the streets creating chaos and scaring spectators.
Christmas Eve is a special time for families, with multiple generations gathering around a decorated Christmas tree adorned with candles and gifts. The traditional Christmas carol, "Silent Night, Holy Night," is often sung, as it was first performed in Oberndorf near Salzburg over 200 years ago.
Austria Border Closure: What's the Status?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Restaurants and shops
Christmas is a time when families in Austria come together to celebrate. The official public holidays are Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26), and these two days see shops, offices, and restaurants closed as people spend time with their families. Transport services are also reduced on these days.
However, as Christmas Eve (December 24) is the day when Austrians traditionally exchange gifts and celebrate with their families, some shops and restaurants may open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. In 2024, shops and shopping centres will have reduced working hours on Christmas Eve and will close at 1 pm.
If you are looking for places to eat on Christmas Day, you may have more luck with hotels that have restaurants, as many cafes and restaurants will be closed. In Vienna, the Vienna Tourist Board usually lists restaurants open on Christmas Eve, so this may be a good place to check for options.
While shops and restaurants are generally closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Christmas markets often stay open over the public holidays. These markets are full of lights and fragrances, with roasted almonds and hot Glühwein on offer. Some museums and palaces also remain open across the Christmas period, although they may close early on Christmas Eve.
Exploring Austria's Welcoming Language and Culture
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tourist attractions
Christmas in Austria is a family affair, so don't expect too much as a tourist. The official public holidays are Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26), and many shops and restaurants will be closed. However, there are still plenty of things to see and do in Austria during the Christmas period. Here are some tourist attractions to consider:
Christmas Markets
Austria is famous for its Christmas markets, which typically open in late November and run until December 23 or early on December 24. You can find Christmas markets in many cities and towns across Austria, including Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich. These markets offer a variety of local foods, pastries, and handicrafts. You can also buy Glühwein (a type of mulled wine) from street vendors while you shop.
Ski Resorts
Austria is known for its ski slopes and resorts, offering a range of options for all budgets. Whether you're into snowboarding, skiing, or just relaxing in the mountains, you'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the snow during the Christmas season.
Museums and Attractions in Vienna
While many museums and attractions in Vienna may have reduced hours or be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there are still some options to consider. Here are a few that have been known to remain open during the Christmas season:
- Schönbrunn Palace: The outdoor paid attractions and the Schönbrunn Zoo, which is open 365 days a year.
- Stephansdom Cathedral: A working cathedral where religious services may restrict access to certain areas.
- Belvedere: The Upper and Lower palaces and art museums, although they closed at 2 pm on December 24 in previous years.
- Kunsthistorisches Museum: Closed at 3 pm on December 24 in previous years.
- Albertina and Albertina Modern: Prestigious art museums open daily, although they closed at 2 pm on Christmas Eve in 2024.
- Madame Tussauds: The Vienna branch of the wax museum closed earlier, at 4 pm, on December 24, 2024.
- Riesenrad: The giant Ferris wheel closed at 4:45 pm on December 24 in previous years.
- Spanish Riding School: While it reduces its activities, you can still watch public training sessions.
Krampus Run
In early December, you can witness the Krampus Run, a unique Christmas tradition in the alpine area of Austria. Krampus is a scary character with a mask and big bells on his back, used to scare bad children who don't get toys from Saint Nicholas. This tradition is sure to be a memorable part of your Christmas experience in Austria.
Tennis Star Thiem: Age and Austrian Achievements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Weather
Austria is known for its cold and snowy Christmas weather. The snow covers the roofs and meadows, and candles light up the evenings. The Christmas period is a time for family, with multiple generations gathering to spend Christmas Eve together.
The Austrian Christmas season is full of customs and traditions. The Advent season, which refers to the arrival or birth of Christ, sees Austrians engaging in various activities, such as baking Christmas cookies, crafting Advent wreaths, enjoying Advent calendars, and spending time with family. The Christmas markets, which are temporary and scattered all over Austria, are a significant part of the Austrian Christmas experience. These markets offer mulled wine, known as Glühwein, and sweet treats like gingerbread and sugar-roasted almonds. Some markets also showcase traditional handicrafts.
The Austrian Christmas markets usually close around December 23 or early on the 24th, so it is advisable to visit a few days before Christmas to fully experience them. The markets in front of Schönbrunn Palace, Stephansdom Cathedral, and Salzburg's Altstadt are particularly notable.
In addition to the markets, Austria has other attractions open during the Christmas period. Some museums, palaces, and zoos remain open, although their opening hours may be reduced. For example, the Belvedere Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Sisi Museum are open during the holidays. The Spanish Riding School also offers a reduced schedule with public training sessions.
Overall, Austria's Christmas weather is characterized by cold temperatures and snowy landscapes, setting the perfect backdrop for its rich Christmas traditions and festive markets.
Austria's Historic September 13th: Events that Shaped the Nation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there will be Christmas markets all over Austria. These include markets in Vienna, Salzburg, and in front of Schönbrunn Palace. However, many Christmas markets tend to close around the 23rd or early on the 24th, so make sure to visit before Christmas Eve.
Shops are generally closed on the 25th and 26th of December. However, some supermarkets in train stations and smaller restaurants may be open.
Yes, some tourist attractions in Vienna are open during Christmas. These include the Belvedere, Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunn Zoo, Stephansdom Cathedral, and various museums. However, some attractions may have reduced hours or close early on Christmas Eve.
Austrians have many Christmas traditions, including Advent wreaths, Krampus parades, Christmas carols, and baking traditional cookies and pastries. On Christmas Eve, families gather to celebrate, and children eagerly wait for the Christkind (Christ Child) to bring presents.
Austria typically experiences cold and snowy weather during Christmas.
