There’s no denying that Europe’s Christmas markets are one of the great Christmas cultural traditions.

One of my favorite cities to experience them? The Austrian capital city of Vienna.

Why? you may ask. Lots of reasons.

First, Christmas markets originated in Germany. Visiting Christmas markets in a Germanic country like Austria always makes me feel that little bit closer to the original.

Second, Vienna has several Christmas markets you can explore, each with its own flavor. (More on that below.)

Third, Vienna is an amazing city to visit. With its grand imperial buildings, centuries’ worth of history, and seemingly endless culture events, you won’t run out of things to see and do in between your Christmas market shopping.

Finally, Christmas markets in Vienna tend to open earlier than elsewhere in Europe. This is particular good news for American visitors, if you want to travel during Thanksgiving break, when Vienna’s Christmas markets are open for business while those in other cities may not open until December.

Vienna has more Christmas markets than you’re likely be able to see in one visit (but more power to you if you manage it!). Keep reading to find out more about some of the city’s biggest and best Christmas markets!

1. Vienna Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)

The Vienna Chrstikindlmarkt is the city’s mother of all Christmas markets. The iconic candle-and-bow-topped archway is a favorite for photos.

It’s the biggest of Vienna’s Christmas market, where you’ll find all kinds of goods, from ornaments to toys to sweets.

There’s also an ice-skating rink and a large kids’ area.

For food, there’s the mandatory glühwein. Schnitzel & Punch serves up some of my favorite schnitzel – it’s become the go-to place for me to grab a quick bite whenever I’m in town.

Travel tip: The Christkindlmarkt has become something of a victim of its own success, being practically overrun with tourists in the evening.

For a slower-paced, more local feel, try visiting during the daytime (though you should see it at night as well since that is when the market – quite literally – shines).

2025 info:

Dates: November 14 – December 26, 2025
Time: Daily 10:00am – 10:00pm (10:00am – 6:30pm on Dec. 24)
Address: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna

2. Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace

With the stunning Schönbrunn Palace serving as a backdrop, this was one of my favorite Christmas markets. I loved the circular layout, with all the stores visible in one area rather than in different sections.

Apart from the gorgeous setting, this Christmas market hosts some concerts. While I was there, a small brass quartet graced us with some cheery Christmas music. (Special props to the guy playing the trumpet in the cold – his bare fingers must have been freezing.)

Maybe because it was a little farther out (but still an easy subway ride away), I found it had a more local feel than some of the markets in the city center.

Travel tip: Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer palace of the powerful Hapsburg rulers, is one of the best things to see in Vienna. Combine a visit to the palace and its extensive grounds with a visit to the Christmas market. (Just don’t get lost in the grounds after dark like I did – but that’s a story for another day.)

2025 info:

Dates: November 6, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Time: Daily from 10:00am – 9:00pm

Time changes: 10:00am – 4:00pm on Dec. 24, 10:00am – 7:00pm on Dec. 25 – Jan. 6
Address: Schönbrunn Palace, 1130 Vienna

3. Christmas Village at Belvedere

Another market set against one of Vienna’s most beautiful palaces – which also happens to house one of its most important art collections.

The items for sale and the food are much the same as you’d find at other markets.

Unlike in some of the other Christmas markets, there is a small merry-go-round, which is always fun for the kiddos.

Travel tip: A visit to the palace itself is obvious, but for those who enjoy military history and don’t mind a 20-minute walk in the cold, there’s the nearby Museum of Military History to check out.

2025 info:

Dates: November 14 – December 31, 2025
Times: Mon – Fri: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sat – Sun: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Time changes: 11:00am – 4:00pm on Dec. 24; 11:00am – 7:00pm on Dec. 25 – Dec. 30; 11:00am – 6:00pm on Dec. 31

Address: Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Vienna

4. Christmas market on Stephansplatz

This market holds a special place for me, as someone from a medieval history background. Christmas markets evolved from medieval markets that were held on church feast days (like Advent and Christmas). Since the church was the center of public life in ye olde days, this market, which wraps around St. Stephen’s Cathedral, evokes that original medieval-market feel.

Be aware, due to its central location, this is another market that can get very crowded.

2025 info:

Dates: November 8 – December 26, 2025
Times: Daily from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Time changes: 11:00am – 4:00pm on Dec. 24; 11:00am – 7:00pm on Dec. 25 & 26
Address: Stephansplatz, 1010 Vienna

5. Christmas Market Am Hof

This small Christmas market is surprisingly less busy despite being in the city center. There’s a good mix of food and crafts to be found.

2025 info:

Dates: November 14 – December 23, 2025
Times: Mo-Th 11:00am – 9:00pm; Fr-Su & holy days 10:00am – 9:00pm, food until 10:00pm
Address: Am Hof, 1010 Vienna

6. Altwiener Christkindlmarkt (Old Viennese Christmas Market) at Freyung

Another of my favorite Christmas markets in Vienna, this is probably the smallest of the ones I visited. It’s one of the most historic (the name might give that away), being held since 1722!

It also seems to be somewhat overlooked by tourists. Between that and its size, there’s a small, intimate, almost cozy feel to this market.

I found there were more handcrafted goods here and even a stall selling old kids’ books.

Travel tip: It’s almost right next door to the Christmas Market Am Hof, so it’s convenient to visit both.

2025 info:

Dates: November 14 – December 23, 2025
Times: Daily from 10:0am – 9:00pm
Address: Freyung, 1010 Vienna

7. Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz

Nestled between two of Vienna’s best museums, the Natural History Museum and the Kuntshistroriches Museum, this Christmas market will make you feel like you’re in Imperial Vienna.

Travel tip: Have a museum day by spending the morning at one of the two museums mentioned above. Head to the Christmas market for some lunch and shopping before visiting the second museum in the afternoon.

2025 info:

Unfortunately, this market is closed for 2025 due to renovations taking place at the plaza.

8. Art Advent at Karlsplatz

Probably the most artsy of all of Vienna’s Christmas markets, here you’ll find the greatest collection of handcrafted goods that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.

One downside is that, despite the large size of this market, I found the food options were more limited than at other markets. Great for shopping, less great for a meal.

Travel tip: St. Charles Church, which serves as backdrop for Art Advent, holds regular evening concerts. Why not combine some classical music (one of Vienna’s specialties) with a visit to the market?

2025 info:

Dates: November 21 – December 23, 2025
Times: Daily from 12:00pm – 8:00pm, food until 9:00pm
Address: Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna

9. Christmas Village at the University Campus

As you might guess from the name, this market is located not too far from the University of Vienna. That, combined with the fact that it’s a little outside the city center, means that the crowd here is younger and more local, and is particularly popular with the university students.

This sprawling market has the usual crafts and food (although it felt like a slightly higher ratio of food to crafts – probably thanks to its proximity to the university).

My favorite part of this market was the fairy tale light display. Scattered throughout are scenes from classic Germanic fairy tales. Can you name them all?

2025 info:

Dates: November 14 – December 23, 2025
Times: Mon-Thu: 2:00pm – 10:00pm, Fri: 2:00pm – 11:00pm, Sat: 11:00am – 10:00pm, Sun: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Address: Alserstrasse/Spitalgasse, Hof 1, 1090 Vienna

10. Christmas Market at Spittleberg

I’ve yet to visit this Christmas market, but it’s top of my list for next time. What makes this one more unique is that it’s nestled along narrow alleyways instead of being in a large plaza or other open space.

2025 info:

Dates: November 14 – December 23, 2025
Times: Mon-Fri: 2:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Sat, Sun & holidays: 11:00am – 9:30pm
Address: Spittelberggasse, Stiftgasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, 1070 Vienna

11. Wintermarkt at Riesenradplatz

Part amusement park, part Christmas market, this market perhaps has the most fair-like atmosphere. With all the rides available, this is a fun one for the kids.

2025 info:

Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Times: Mon – Fri 12:00pm – 10:00pm, Sat, Sun & holidays 11:00am – 10:00pm
Time changes: Dec. 24: 10:00am – 5:00pm, Dec. 31: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Address: Riesenradplatz, 1020 Wien

What to eat and drink

You’ll find traditional food and drink at nearly every market. Here are some of the best:

Glühwein: Mulled wine is the quintessential Christmas market drink. Warm, comforting, and tasty, you’ll find this at literally every market. And the mugs make for great souvenirs (more on that below).

Lebkuchen: Gingerbread. There’s nothing that screams Germanic Christmas food more than gingerbread. You’ll see them in all kinds of shapes, but the most popular is the heart.

Kaiserschmarrn: One of my favorite German foods and not just for its historical connection (it was named after Kaiser (Emperor) Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary). These bits of shredded pancake are sweetened with sugar and are typically eaten as a dessert or light lunch. The original version is great, but the Nutella version is next-level deliciousness.

Pretzels: There’s the original pretzel with salt, of course, but there are so many more options available as well, both savory and sweet. I’ve had a pizza pretzel for lunch. I’ve had donut pretzel for dessert. And I still have a ton more types of pretzels to try.

Leberkäse: I won’t tell you what this is exactly, but I will tell you it’s a meat dish that, in sandwich form, makes one of my must-have lunches when I’m in Austria or Germany.

Hot chocolate: Ok, maybe not traditional, but one of my personal favorite things to drink around the holidays. A good warm drink option for children and those seeking something non-alcoholic.

Travel tip: It’s usually cheaper and quicker to eat at the markets than at a restaurant – but bear in mind there will be limited places to sit; you’ll be lucky to even find a table to stand at to eat. And if you’re very lucky, you’ll find a spot next to a heater. Still, it’s a great option for a meal, especially if you’re on a budget.

Where to stay

Vienna has a lot of hotel options. The best area to stay in is the central 1^st district, known as the Innere Stadt.

I like to stay just outside of the Innere Stadt, as these hotels are a little cheaper, but still within walking distance of most of the major sights and markets. I’ve stayed at both Hotel Josefhof am Rathaus and The Levant Parliament A Design Hotel and found them to be comfortable and conveniently located.

Other tips

Souvenir mugs

Most markets have their own mugs that are designed for that market. When you order some glühwein or any hot drink, you’ll typically receive it in the market’s specifically branded mug.

In Austria (and Germany), recycling is a big thing. To encourage this, you’ll find that you’re charged an extra few euros when you order a hot drink, on top of the posted price. This is called the pfand – or deposit – and you can get your extra euros back by returning the mug to the vendor (or any vendor that will accept them).

If you want to keep the mug as a souvenir, by all means, do so! Just think of the pfand as the price of your new souvenir.

If you prefer a clean souvenir mug, some markets, like the one at the Rathaus, will sell them separately.

Dress for the (cold) weather

The weather may vary while you’re there, so be sure to dress in layers. Being outside of hours can make you even more chilly, so I find it helpful to dress in more layers than I think I’ll need. You can always take layers off if you’re too hot, but it’s near torture to be outside in the cold for long periods without the proper clothing.

Shopping tip

Don’t feel you need to buy something right away. Take a look around. You might find some vendors, particularly at the bigger markets, that sell the same, mass-produced items.

If you’re looking to buy more unique, handcrafted goods, Art Advent, the Old Viennese Christmas Market at Freyung, and the Christmas Market Am Hof are your best bets and the ones I go to when I want to get a truly special souvenir.