During Advent, many tourists from all over Europe head to the Christmas markets in Vienna, as they are considered to be among the best and most diverse. When do the Vienna Christmas markets take place, and what prices can you expect? You can find out in this article.

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Get into the Christmas spirit with the magical atmosphere of the markets, where the scents of traditional “Glühwein” (mulled wine), Christmas biscuits, strudels and grilled sausages mingle in the air.

All this against a backdrop of lavishly decorated Christmas scenes and illuminated Christmas trees.

When and where do the Christmas markets in Vienna take place?

Every year, Vienna hosts up to ten different Christmas markets, each with slightly different dates and opening hours.

Generally speaking, the marketsstart in mid-November and end either on 23 December or after Christmas (usually on 26 December).

Most markets are opendailybetween 11:00 and 21:00, but times vary depending on the specific market.

Opening hours of Christmas markets in 2026

The exact opening times are usually published around the end of October each year, at which point we always update this article.

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• Vienna’s main Christmas market in front of City Hall– here you’ll find 125 stalls selling gifts, handicrafts, Christmas decorations, toys, food and drink. All the trees in the adjacent City Hall Park are festively illuminated, and nearby you can go ice-skating on a 3,000^m² ice rink. The local ‘heart-shaped tree’, a favourite with couples in love, has also become very popular.
  • 13 November 2026 – 6 January 2027
  • Daily from 10:00 to 22:00; on Christmas Eve 10:00–18:30
  • Official website: christkindlmarkt.at
  • Location on the map

• Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz – situated right between the Museum of Art History and the Natural History Museum, this village opens during Advent with 70 stalls offering original gifts, and transforms into a New Year’s Eve village full of food and drink stalls towards the end of the year.
  • 20 November – 26 December 2026
  • Daily 11:00–21:00, Fridays and Saturdays until 22:00, on Christmas Eve only until 16:00, and between 25 December and 31 December only until 18:00.
  • Official website: weihnachtsmarkt.at
  • Location on the map

• Christmas market at Stephansplatz – in the centre of Vienna, beneath the cathedral, you’ll find around 40 stalls showcasing Austrian traditions and traditional products from both the city and the mountains. This market tends to be the most crowded of all, and personally we liked it the least because of the long queues and limited selection of treats.
  • 6 November – 26 December 2026
  • Daily 11:00–21:00, on Christmas Eve only until 16:00 and on 25 and 26 December until 19:00
  • Official website: weihnachtsmarkt.at
  • Location on the map

• The Christmas market at Schwarzenbergplatz– this is a new addition for 2026 and we haven’t visited it in person yet. Has anyone been there? What’s it like?
  • 13 November – 26 December 2026
  • Daily 11:00–21:00, on Christmas Eve only until 16:00 and on 25 and 26 December until 19:00
  • Official website: weihnachtsmarkt.at
  • Location on the map
• ​​​​​​​K&KChristmas Market at Belveder Castle– several dozen stalls are spread out across the castle grounds against the Baroque backdrop of OberesBelveder Castle.
  • 20 November – 31 December 2026
  • Daily 11:00–21:00, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00, on Christmas Eve only until 16:00, and between 25 December and 31 December only until 18:00.
  • Official website: kkweihnachtsmarkt.at
  • Location on the map

• Schönbrunn Christmas Market– set against the magnificent backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, this Christmas and New Year’s market features around 80 stalls offering Christmas treats, handcrafted goods, decorations and various workshops for children. There is also an ice rink with synthetic ice.
  • 6 November 2026 – 6 January 2027
  • Daily 10:00–21:00, on Christmas Eve 10:00–16:00 and from 25 December to 6 January until 19:00 only
  • Official website: schoenbrunn.at/christmas-market
  • Location on the map

• Prater Winter Market– the Prater amusement park is not to be outdone, offering Christmas markets with food, drink and attractions for children and adults alike.
  • 20 November 2026 – 6 January 2027
  • Daily 12:00–22:00, weekends from 11:00, on Christmas Eve 10:00–17:00
  • Official website: wintermarkt.at
  • Location on the map

• Christmas village on the university campus– an authentic and very popular market with no tourists, where mainly students from the local university and families with children gather, thanks to several children’s attractions, including a small train and a few curling-style lanes. There is also a wide selection of food and drink in the park.
  • 13 November – 26 December 2026
  • Monday to Wednesday 14:00–22:00, Thursday and Friday 14:00–23:00, Saturday 11:00–23:00, Sunday until 20:00 only
  • Official website: weihnachtsmarkt.at
  • Location on the map

• The Freyung Old Vienna Christmas Market– the oldest market, with a tradition dating back to 1772, offers mainly traditional handcrafted goods, glass ornaments and a programme featuring carols and Christmas songs. It tends to get very crowded in a relatively small space.
  • 14 November – 23 December 2026
  • Daily 10:00–21:00
  • Official website: altwiener-markt.at
  • Location on the map

• Am Hof Christmas Market– a smaller market with a very peaceful atmosphere right in the city centre, featuring around 40 stalls selling high-quality handcrafted gifts and several stalls offering essential refreshments.
  • 13 November – 23 December 2026
  • Daily 11:00–21:00, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00
  • Official website: weihnachtsmarkt-hof.at
  • Location on the map

• Karlsplatz Artistic Advent Market– offers a highly varied cultural programme, with exhibitions and concerts frequently taking place amongst dozens of stalls selling a range of handcrafted goods and delicacies.
  • 13 November – 23 December 2026
  • Daily 12:00–20:00
  • Official website: divinaart.at
  • Location on the map

• Spittelberg Christmas Market– a wide range of delicacies and Christmas treats is complemented by traditional stalls selling gifts and souvenirs, set against the backdrop of the narrow streets of the Spittelberg district. It was the atmosphere of these romantic streets that captivated us so much that we rate this Advent market as the best.
  • 13 November – 23 December 2026
  • Daily 14:00–21:30, at weekends from 11:00
  • Official website: spittelberg.at
  • Location on the map

• Türkenschanzpark Christmas Market– away from the main tourist crowds, you’ll find a large and beautiful Christmas market offering food, drink and original gifts in Türkenschanz Park in the north of Vienna. The market is mainly visited by locals and families with children.
  • 13 November – 23 December 2026
  • Weekdays 15:00–22:00, weekends 12:00–22:00
  • Official website: weihnachtimpark.at
  • Location on the map

You’ll come across other smaller Christmas markets with just a few stalls all over Vienna, particularly near churches and in larger squares. Some of them are only open at weekends, whilst others are open all week.

Prices at Vienna’s Christmas markets

There is no admission charge for any of the Christmas markets listed; they are open to the public, even if you don’t buy anything.

To give you an idea, here are the average prices of goods at the Viennese markets. Prices vary slightly from market to market, with differences usually amounting to no more than 50 cents.

• Mulled wine 0.25 l – 5 eur
• Punch 0.25 l – 6 eur
• Roasted chestnuts (usually 6 at a time) – 5 eur
• Hot chocolate 0.25 l – 5 eur
• Tea 0.25 l – 5 eur
• Roasted potatoes – 7,50 eur
• Roasted almonds 100 g – 5 eur
• Sausage – 7,50 eur
• Beer 0.3 l – 7 eur
• Kaiserschmarn – 8 eur
• Decorations, gifts and handicrafts: mostly up to a maximum of 15 eur

Can I pay by card?

At the larger stalls in the main markets, particularly in front of the Town Hall, in Schönbrunn or on Stephansplatz, you can usually pay by card.

However, it’s always worth carrying some cash with you, as most smaller stalls do not accept card payments.

Euronet cash machines are located at almost all markets, but they charge very high withdrawal fees. It is better to withdraw money outside the markets from one of the cash machines belonging to regular Austrian banks.

What to watch out for – our tips

Pickpockets may be present at Christmas markets, so it’s worth keeping your wallet securely tucked away at all times, or not taking it with you at all and carrying only cash or a card.

Please note that on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the Christmas markets are very crowded, so if you can, do try to visit Vienna during Advent on a Monday to Thursday.

At weekends throughout December, accommodation in Vienna is up to three times more expensive than on weekdays.

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