Christmas Markets Vienna

No sooner has November drawn a thick curtain of drizzle and fog across the heavens, and the days become steadily shorter - then some places sink into a deep melancholy. But not Vienna. Here the weeks leading up to Christmas are romantic and idyllic. The city shimmers in a mild glow of candles while the sweet aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine and Christmas baking pervades the air. The streets and shops are festively decorated and Christmas markets enchant young and old alike. Year in, year out.

The Magic of Advent
Vienna Town Hall ("Rathaus")
This Christmas Market transforms the park around the festively lit building into a fairy tale world for children, where golden leaves, luminous hearts, giant sweets and glittering stars hang from the trees. The little ones ride the old Viennese carousel, the mini railway and the cuddly ponies, or explore the model Biedermeiertown, which opens its gates to soft music. And the adults needn’t be bored either; they can find beautiful gifts and taste mouth-watering delicacies at dozens of stalls in Vienna’s biggest Christmas market.

When: 15 November - 24 December 2008
Where: In front of Vienna's Town Hall ("Rathaus")
Hours: 9am - 9pm, Daily, except 24 December: 9am - 5pm
For children To shorten the long wait until Christmas, children can give their imagination free reign in the Christmas workshop in the Great Hall (Volkshalle) of Vienna's City Hall. More.

Culture & Christmas Market
Schönbrunn Palace
As the first snowflakes fall gently from the sky dancing in the soft glow of the lanterns, there is nothing the Christkind likes better than visiting the Christmas and Art Market in the Ehrenhof in front of Schönbrunn Palace. There, he’ll stop for a while to look at the delightful backdrop of the imperial residence before finishing the remaining shopping: traditionally crafted items, handmade jewellery, rural specialities like self-distilled schnapps, smoked meat or sweet or spicy bread and cakes and rustic Christmas tree decorations are all on offer.

When: 22 November - 26 December 2008
Where: In front of Schönbrunn Palace
Hours: 10am - 8.30pm, Daily, except 24 December: 10am - 4pm; 25 & 26 December: 10am - 6pm
More.

Spittelberg Christmas Market
At the Spittelberg Christmas Market, stall after stall forms long rows in the narrow lanes of the Biedermeier district near the MuseumsQuarter. This is where the Christkind himself often comes to shop. He can choose between fine arts and crafts, ceramics, hand-blown glass, rugs, batik and silk paintings, or even find a piece of silver, enamel or brass jewellery. And if he still can’t make up his mind he can then go to the art market in Heiligenkreuzerhof, to the arts and crafts market in front of the Karlskirche, visit the christmas village on the Uni-Campus or the traditional Christmas market on the Freyung square. Here, the Christkind feels particularly at home in the ambience of almost celestial beauty. The stalls in their traditional decoration line up in front of the magnificent palace façades surrounding the famous Austria fountain. Bathed in flickering candlelight and cloaked by the scent of gingerbread, baked apples, the aromas of honey and punch, the Christkind is spoilt for choice as he hesitates between hand-painted candles for the Christmas tree, wooden toys and woven wickerwork.

When: 15 November - 23 December 2008
Where: In the laneways of the "Spittelberg", directly behind the MuseumsQuarter
Hours: Mon - Fri 2pm - 9pm, Sat, Sun & Holidays 10am - 9pm
More. (German only)

Christmas Village Belvedere Palace
Lose yourself in the magic of the Christmas Village in front of Vienna’s renowned Belvedere Palace and enjoy its fascinating scenery. Visit one of Europe’s most beautiful Baroque palaces with the famous art nouveau painting “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt and complete your tour with a visit to the stunning Christmas market which is newly open.
When: 21 November - 24 December 2008
Where: Belvedere Palace, Prinzeugenstr. 27
Hours: 11am - 9m, Daily except 24 December: 11am - 3pm
More. (German only)