Vienna Christmas Markets 2026

Explore 10 of the best Vienna Christmas markets 2026 from 6 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, all free to enter.

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Vienna is proud that it can date its Christmas market all the way back into the 13th century.

According to local historians, that was when the rights were granted for a ‘December Market’, which was originally a general market for the benefit of the Viennese inhabitants.

Three centuries later, the typical Christmas market elements had already become popular – the sweets and biscuits, especially – and later the concept of giving seasonal gifts (and thus needing to buy them) helped to cement its popularity.

The market has only been held in its present location in the gardens in front of the City Hall since 1975 – previously it was held in squares in the city centre. There are plenty of other markets in different locations in the city and, this being Vienna, they almost all have a particularly scenic backdrop. Here we have listed a selection of the events that have their own Christmas market websites.

Map of Vienna Christmas markets & hotels

Below you find an interactive Map where Vienna’s Christmas Markets from this page are marked in GREEN. You can search for available accommodation by choosing a your traveldate. It’s also possible to see this map in a new window full size.

Advent Magic at the Vienna Christkindlmarkt

This is the best-known of all the Vienna Christmas markets, with the image of the illuminated city hall and the market in front of it being a popular one to illustrate seasonal news stories.

Christmas Market at Stephansplatz

Another Christmas market in an iconic location in the Austrian capital, this time in the open spaces of the pedestrian area around the city cathedral and main shopping area.

Vienna Ferris Wheel Winter Market

The Riesenrad is the giant Ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park made famous by the film ‘The Third Man’. The market offers live music in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday.

Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market

Offers traditional crafts, handmade Christmas decorations, an ice skating rink, curling rinks, and a wide range of activities for children in front of one of Vienna’s most iconic imperial palaces.

Karlsplatz Christmas Market

Combines arts and crafts for sale with art installations, show workshops, and live bands, alongside organic food options.

Altwiener Christmas Market

Although the Altwiener market is indeed held in one of the most historic parts of the inner city, the name (‘Old Viennese’) doesn’t mean that it goes back a long way – it dates from the 1980s – but that it tries to stand out against commercialisation and for a traditional market.

Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz

A welcome return for the Christmas Village in the Museum Quarter on the open area between the Natural History Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Christmas Magic at Schwarzenbergplatz

A new location with the Weihnachtszauber Schwarzenbergplatz (not far from the entrance to Schloss Belvedere – it replaces the former market in that location because of building work at the palace).

Spittelberg Christmas Market

This Christmasmarket is fairly different compared to the others, its not at one of Viennas famous sights but an idyllic tiny alleways, where vendors offer handicrafts.

Christmas Village at the University of Vienna Campus

This is another of the Christmas villages around the city – this one located in the buildings which are now part of the University of Vienna but which are still known as ‘the old general hospital’

Visiting several markets & museums? Get around with the Vienna City Card

Unlimited public transport to every market listed above, plus discounts on sights and museums.

Other Things To Do in Vienna

Follow your own track through the city history. As the former Imperial capital of much of Europe, Vienna is steeped in culture and history. You can follow the traces of the battles against the Turkish invaders which left the legacy of coffee house culture; the scientific and cultural legacy of the Austro-Hungarian emperors; or track the important locations and persons in the development of psychotherapy!

Sample the Blue Danube. Well, not literally – for a start it’s probably too cold at this time of year. But there are a number of interesting sites along Vienna’s main river, from the Donauinsel (the island between the two channels of the river) to the river traffic connections to Bratislava over the border in neighbouring Slovakia, to the evocative Cemetery of the Nameless (for those unknown who are found drowned in the river).

Experience Vienna’s contribution to food and drink. We mentioned the coffee houses above (and they should certainly be experienced) but visitors should also try the sausage stands (an Austrian institution but especially in Vienna), the Wiener Schnitzel (a breaded veal escalope) or the local pastries and cakes (possibly in one of the above-mentioned coffee houses).

Explore more things to do in Vienna.

Tours & tickets in Vienna

Advent concerts, palace entry, guided walking tours

Where to Stay in Vienna for good Christmas Markets access

The Vienna Christmas Markets presented on this page are mainly located in Innere Stadt or close to the Ringstraße in neighbouring districts. Only three Christmas Markets are outside of the centre – by the Ferris Wheel at Praterstern, by the Schönbrunn Palace in Schönbrunn and by the old AKH in Alsergrund. The best accommodations are therefore located close to the Ringstraße. Some Hotel picks for differnet kind of budgets:

Near Vienna Ferris Wheel Winter Market ($$): Motel One Praterstern

Near Advent Magic at the Vienna Christkindlmarkt ($$$): Hotel Josefshof

Near Christmas Market at Stephansplatz ($$$$): Hotel Sacher

Plan Your Christmas Market Break in Vienna

Vienna International Airport is located to the south-east of the city and has a wide range of flight options. There are two types of rail service into the city centre, the City Airport Transfer (CAT) trains or the local S-Bahn regional train service. Frequent bus services are also available.

Bratislava Airport, just over the border in Slovakia, is sometimes termed Vienna (Bratislava) Airport by the more ingenious of cheaper airlines – it is in fact an hour’s drive over the border around 90km away.

Vienna’s main railway station has been completely redeveloped with almost all long-distance services running through it. Some more regional services operate from other hub railway stations. All the local services, as well as buses and trams, are integrated into a common ticket service by the Wiener Linien.

Read more about how to get from the Airport to Vienna centre.

Travel Information

Vienna Airport:

www.viennaairport.com

Vienna Railway Station:

www.hauptbahnhof-wien.at

Tourist Office:
www.wien.info

National Railways:
www.oebb.at

Local Public Transport:
www.wienerlinien.at

Vienna Information:
www.viennadirect.com

Vienna Christmas Markets: FAQ

When do the Vienna Christmas markets open in 2026?

The first markets open on 6 November 2026 (Stephansplatz & Schönbrunn Palace). The Christkindlmarkt at the City Hall and many others open 13 November.

Are the Vienna Christmas markets free to enter?

Yes. All markets listed on this page are free to enter – you only pay for food, drinks and gifts.

Are the markets open on 24 and 25 December?

Most markets open on 24 December with shorter hours. Several, including Stephansplatz, stay open until 26 December. The Ferris Wheel Winter Market runs until 6 January. Some smaller Christmas markets close one day before Christmas.

Which is the most famous Christmas market in Vienna?

The Advent Magic at the Vienna Christkindlmarkt in front of the City Hall is the most famous Christmas market in Vienna.