Vienna at Christmas: Christmas Market & Lights Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! At least I think so. Christmas time to me is magic, and even though I live in a Canadian city that pretty much guarantees a white Christmas, it’s no secret that during the holiday season, Europe is my favourite place to be. Christmas markets are my version of Disney World and even though I normally hate crowds, I will suck it up if it means I get to browse stall after stall of Santas, snowmen, and villages with a mug of warm gluhwein in my hands. YUM! 

Over the years I have been to dozens of Christmas markets and while I love them all, I will say there has always been something special about Christmas in Vienna. 

I’ve been to Vienna four times now for the Christmas markets (once as part of a Christmas market river cruise!) and I can honetly say that Vienna at Christmas is truly a fairytale. The lights, the markets, the food and drink; it’s all amazing. But how do you narrow it down? After all, Vienna is a big city. But, don’t worry! Your Christmas angel is here, and I’m sharing the top must-have experiences to make the most of your visit to Vienna at Christmas. 

Vienna Christmas Markets 

 Rathaus Park and Christmas Market

When it comes to the prettiest Christmas market, the one held at the Rathaus (Vienna’s town hall) just might take the proverbial cake. Endless strings of twinkling fairy lights and adorable wooden stalls all done up with garlands makes it the postcard-perfect setting for experiencing Vienna at Christmas. Right in front of the Rathaus (which is a stunning historic building itself) is the market, but off to the side are a couple of trails through the park-like area which is just as decorated and perfect for taking a festive walk or sit on one of the many benches to take in the magic.

Insider tip: This is by far the busiest market in Vienna. Come to visit in the evening for the lights but if you want to look at the stalls, it’s less busy during the daytime. 

Stephansplatz Christmas Market

The next Vienna Christmas Market on our list is the one at Stephansplatz, in front of cathedral. Located in the heart of the city this is a beautiful market to visit with a good mix of food (lots of sweets), drinks, and merchandise for sale from little cabins surrounding the church. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with the giant Christmas tree and church all lit up. 

Schonbrunn Palace Christmas Market

When I first visited Vienna in 2011, this was a small market with lots of local artisan vendors. Today, it’s become one of the most popular and largest markets in the city. Set against the backdrop of the palace, it’s incredibly charming but can get very crowded. On top of the market itself, you’ll get plenty of visitors coming to visit the palace and nearby zoo. 

The Schonbrunn Palace has a good mix of food, drink, and items for sale. Expect plenty of Christmas ornaments and decortions. There is a section of this market dedicated to Lindt chocolate for those who need their chocolate fix, and some family-friendly areas with a hay maze and carousel for children. 

Karlsplatz Art Advent Christmas Market

For those who are looking for the local artisans and vendors rather than typical decorations and ornaments found everywhere, head to Karlsplatz! This is a smaller and more local Christmas market that had a very different array of stalls compared to the larger Christmas markets in Vienna. I saw a leather shoe maker, plenty of paintings and sketches, some very fun ceramic pieces, and more. So if you are looking for something unique and special, this is a great market to hit up. 

Belvedere Christmas Market 

Another beautiful market in front of a palace is the Christmas Market at Belvedere. Like the market at Karlsplatz, this one feels a little more local. It’s also a great place to have a meal; there are tons of Christmas market food options here ranging from typical sausages to spaetzle, raclette, fried potatoes, pretzels the size of your head (literally), and more. I also loved that the stalls here had more variations on gluhwein flavours including berry and (my favourite) cherry. 

 Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in Vienna 

Vienna is a classy, elegant city so it’s really no surprise that the Christmas lights around town look more like sparkling jewels and diamonds rather than the typical kitschy Christmas displays. The best way to see and enjoy them is to walk along the pedestrian paths throughout the city centre. Make sure your route takes you by:

• Kohlmarkt
• Graben
• Karntner Straße.

You can find beautiful lights and displays all around the city, but in my opinion, these are some of the prettiest areas outside of the Christmas markets. 

Make sure to also find the giant red Christmas Bow! This can be found on the Popp & Kretschmer building and is a personal favourite of mine. 

 

Other things to do in Vienna at Christmas

Take in a concert or Opera

No doubt you know that Vienna has a rich musical history and there is no better time to enjoy that music than at Christmas. There are several options when it comes to concerts or operas in Vienna and the venues can be anywhere from a church to a palace to an opera house. Tickets vary in price as well but should be purchased in advance to avoid disappointment.

Try: Vivaldi Four Season Concert  or  A Classical Concert at St Anne’s Church

If you are a risk taker and don’t completely have your heart set on seeing something specific, then you can try your luck at getting a last minute ticket. Normally, these tickets are standing room only but can be as cheap as a couple of euros if you get lucky.

Cozy Up in a Café

Whether you are done for the day and ready to just sit down somewhere warm or need a midday break, Vienna’s cafes make for the perfect cozy places to warm up and, of course, get something delicious to eat and drink.

Coffee houses are a huge part of the culture in Vienna, so there is no shortage of ones to choose from. Classic favourites include Café Central, Balthasar, and Café Sperl. 

The Sacher Café is another favourite. Yes, it’s expensive and yes it’s touristic but there really is nothing better than ending your day in Vienna with a mug of hot chocolate or glass of wine and a slice of their famous sacher torte.

For those who want something a little more homey, check out Vollspension. This is Granny’s Public Living room and your cakes are baked and served by Vienna’s grandmas. This allows the elder generation to have a bit more of a social life to help fight the lonliness that often comes with age, and allows you to enjoy some delicious homemade cakes. 

Final Tips for Christmas in Vienna

Christmas in Vienna is magical, but it can get incredibly busy. My most recent visit coincided with Saint Nicholas Day which fell over the weekend and was followed by a holiday Monday and the city was PACKED. To the point where they actually had to close off the main Christmas market because there were too many people. 

If you can, plan your Vienna Christmas market visit on a weekday instead of the weekend. It will help allow you to avoid the crowds and make the experience much more enjoyable.  

Whether you only have one day in Vienna or one week, your visit here will no doubt leave you wanting to come back. Vienna at Christmas truly is a magical experience.

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Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.

Sim Local: Another easy to use alternative with competitive pricing. Here’s my link with a promo code.

Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.

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