Best Christmas Markets in Vienna, Austria in 2026

The best Weihnachtsmärkte (Christkindlmärkte / Christmas markets) in Vienna (Wien) in 2026 are at the Rathaus, Maria Theresien Platz, Freyung in the old town center, and at the Baroque Schloss Schönbrunn. In 2026, many of the large and famous Christmas markets in Vienna are open for the Christmas season from mid-November to early in the New Year 2027.

Christmas markets in Vienna (Wien) are as popular in the festive season as in the rest of the German-speaking world. The Austrian capital has several markets, but the best ones in the old town are within easy walking distance from each other at the Rathausplatz, Maria-Theresien-Platz, and Freyung. It is worth traveling to the market at the Baroque palace Schloss Schönbrunn. Book hotels in Vienna early for the Christmas holiday period, especially when staying on weekends.

• New in 2026: A Christmas market at Schwarzenbergplatz as the grounds of Schloss Belvedere are under construction.

In 2026, many Christmas markets in Vienna will be open on Christmas Day (December 25), but expect hours to be a bit shorter, especially on December 24. Several major Vienna Christmas markets remain open on December 25 and 26. For visitors staying through New Year, the Christmas market at Schloss Schönbrunn and the Wintermarkt at the Riesenradplatz in the Prater continue until January 6, 2027.

For something different, visit the Wien Therme thermal baths and spa — only 15 minutes by U-Bahn from the center and open on Christmas Day.

Visit the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz, Vienna

Vienna’s largest and best-known Christmas market is the Wiener Christkindlmarkt in front of the Neo-Gothic Rathaus (city hall). It is colorful and gets very busy, especially late afternoon and early evening.

This lively Weihnachtsmarkt in front of Vienna’s Rathaus claims to be the most popular Christmas market in Austria. It tends to get very busy despite its size.

The Wiener Christkindlmarkt is child- and family-friendly with special events, rides, a large Ferris wheel, and an ice skating rink in addition to the regular Christmas market activities and a large display of nativity scenes.

Weihnachtsdorf Between the Museums Returns in 2026

After a year’s break due to construction work, the Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas Town) at Maria-Theresien-Platz returns in 2026. Its reopening will take some crowd pressure off the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, which is just a short stroll away.

This Christmas market is beautifully located between Vienna’s magnificent Kunst- (Art) and Naturhistorischen (Natural History) Museums. Across the Ring are the magnificent Imperial Armory and the World Museum, with Moctezuma’s feather headdress from Mexico.

Weihnachtsdorf Stephansplatz at Vienna’s Cathedral

The Weihnachtsdorf Stephansplatz main attraction is its location — right next to the beautiful Gothic Stephansdom (Cathedral). This is also its main disadvantage — no one can miss it, so it tends to get very busy. The surrounding streets are full of further shops and restaurants, while the lights in Graben are the most beautiful in Vienna.

This market is fairly small but good for a quick drink, snack, or browse for gift ideas. It is usually the first Christmas market to open in Vienna and is open on Christmas Day.

Top Tip: When the main market is impossibly crowded, walk around the church. The stalls at the back of the choir are often much quieter.

Visit the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt at Freyung, Vienna

The Altwiener Christkindlmarkt (Old Vienna Christmas market) is probably the best traditional Weihnachtsmarkt in the center of Vienna. It is in the old town center, but just far enough from the main tourist drag to reduce crowding. It is often far more pleasant spending an evening here than at the larger, busier markets.

This Christmas market is beautifully located and has a less commercial feel than many others. Many artists demonstrate their skills and crafts. It has an active entertainment program with puppet performances for children in the morning and further music performances in the late afternoon or early evening.

Weihnachtszauber Schwarzenbergplatz — New Market near Schloss Belvedere in 2026

The Weihnachtszauber Schwarzenbergplatz is a new Christmas market on the large square between the city center and Schloss Belvedere. It is held for the first time in 2026, largely because the regular Schloss Belvedere Christmas market is not being held due to construction work at the Baroque palace. (The art museum in the Belvedere remains open — go see Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss.)

The market is within easy walking distance from the center of Vienna. The large square is a traffic hub but also home to the French Embassy, a large fountain, and the memorial to the Red Army.

Weihnachtsmarkt at Schloss Schönbrunn in Wien

It is worth taking the short tram or U-Bahn train ride from central Vienna to Schloss Schönbrunn Palace to visit the Christmas market in the magnificent setting of the Ehrenhof in front of the imperial palace and the favorite residence of Maria Theresa and many other Habsburg rulers.

• Reserve Schönbrunn Palace tickets and tours in advance. Admission is free to the Christmas market and most of the gardens.

The Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schönbrunn sells mostly Austrian products and has an extensive cultural program as part of the market. Wednesday is especially for families, with many performances and activities for children staged throughout the day. On all other days, special activities and workshops are also available for children.

Note: The Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schönbrunn has been under new management since 2024. Some old websites and links only state that the Kultur- & Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schönbrunn closed after 30 years without indicating that a new Advent market is functioning at the palace.

More Christmas Market Fun in Vienna in 2026

The large Christmas markets in Vienna are very popular and can get very crowded, especially in the final days before Christmas. Often, it is possible to find quieter markets just a few blocks away or in neighborhoods outside the main tourist areas. These markets will be less crowded, have a more local clientele, but also have shorter hours and are very unlikely to operate on Christmas Day.

Two markets frequently missed by foreign tourists are both well-known in Vienna and easy to reach:

The Christmas market at the Karlskirche is famous for its large selection of handicraft stands. This is the best market in Vienna to buy special arts or handmade crafts. It is also very popular among families with entertainment, especially for younger children. Although any Christmas market aims to earn money, this market has a much less heavy-handed commercial feel compared to many others in Vienna.

In complete contrast is the Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz-Prater. The Prater with the large Ferris Wheel is a well-known fun park in Vienna. During the Christmas Season from mid-November to 6 January, a Christmas market operates next to some of the rides. It is open mostly daily from noon to 10 pm, closing at 5 pm on the 24th. Many days this market is very quiet compared to the center, especially if visiting during the day (when it’s a bit dull to be honest).

More Christmas Season Fun in Vienna

Vienna is a hugely popular tourist destination over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Foreign tourists arrive from all parts of the world. Some streets in the center can get uncomfortably busy, but often it is possible to go about completely normally just a block or two away on a parallel road. The same goes for shops, restaurants, and cafés. There is no need to queue for a famous name if a very good alternative is just a block away.

Vienna’s top cafés are popular year-round and always worth visiting. However, don’t queue for two or three hours to enter the top names. Vienna is full of perfectly good cafés without queues or attitude.

Sightseeing day cruises on the Danube from Vienna are possible during winter, with many special dinner and event cruises scheduled during the Advent and Christmas market holiday season.

Christmas and Classical Music Concerts in Vienna

Classical and Christmas music remain very popular in Vienna. Book early, as tickets for the top orchestras and Advent concerts sell out fast in the Christmas period. Many churches have cheap concerts or even free concerts with donations requested. Times are posted on the doors.

It is usually possible to get tickets for concerts in the Kursalon, where many a Strauss waltz was first performed, and a New Year’s Eve concert on the 31st — expect a lot of Strauss and Mozart. Further popular concerts around Christmas and New Year’s include performances at Schloss Schönbrunn and at St Peter’s Church.

The only way to buy tickets for the famous Vienna New Year’s Day classical music concert (Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker im Musikverein) is to enter the annual official lottery. See How to Buy Tickets for the Vienna New Year’s Day Concert — the process starts in the preceding February!

All cities in Austria have Christmas markets during the Advent period and Christmas holidays. Many smaller towns have markets only during certain weekends or days prior to Christmas. A White Christmas is fairly rare in Vienna but common in ski resorts in the Austrian Alps.