Recently updated on September 28th, 2025 at 07:01 pm
Christmas in Austria is a time of warmth, annual traditions and wintery charm. From the moment the first candle is lit on the Advent wreath, Austria transforms into a winter wonderland and festive spirit fills the air. The country’s bigger cities put on festive Christmas markets, with twinkling lights, quaint stalls, and street food from mulled wine to freshly baked cookies to sausages. Then, as the big day – Christmas Eve – gets closer, families prepare for an evening feast around the Christmas tree.
What is Christmas called in Austria?
Christmas is called Weinhnachten in Austria and its Christmas markets are called Weihnachtsmarkt, but don’t be surprised if you hear Christkindlmarkt in some parts of Austria as you would in Germany.
How is Christmas celebrated in Austria?
With Advent wreathes, Christmas markets, delicious cookies, and scary Krampus! From the enchanting streets of Vienna to the snowy charm of Salzburg, here’s our guide to Austria’s Christmas traditions, food, and events. You can join an Austria tour and experience the magic for yourself with Trafalgar.
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How do you say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Austria?
You can say Merry Christmas in Austria with the phrase Frohe Weihnachten. Keep in mind that Austrians also celebrate December 6th as the Feast Day of St. Nicholas. You can express tidings of good joy in the native tongue with the phrase Frohen Nikolaustag. You can also use Gruß vom Krampus on December 5th when Krampus creeps into the holiday. Or simply say Schönen Urlaub, which means Happy Holidays, for all occasions!
Advent season – a prelude to Christmas
Austria has a long and relaxed festive season, beginning with Advent. This tradition is centered around an Advent wreath with four candles. On the four Sundays before Christmas, families will light one of the candles, building anticipation for December 24.
Read next: 10 spectacular Christmas light displays around the world
During this time, families will also start opening the doors on their Advent calendars, and there are Advent markets too to celebrate the season. You’ll find plenty of Austrian Christmas markets in quaint towns that look straight out of a fairytale, plus bigger cities decorated with lights. Feel the magic as you wander around with a mug of hot Glühwein while admiring tempting displays of roasted chestnuts and gingerbread.
TAKE A TOUR: Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland
The arrival of Santa Claus… and Krampus
You have to watch your back on December 5 in Austria… Krampus might be arriving for you! This traditional figure from Austrian Alpine folklore is like a darker counterpart to St. Nicholas. He’s often depicted as a fearsome creature with horns, shaggy fur, and a long, flicking tongue. Krampus carries chains and a sack or basket, and would “carry off” naughty children. Apparently he dates back to pre-Christian pagan traditions, where he was believed to symbolize winter spirits or the forces of chaos.
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Krampus traditionally arrives on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas Day. This night, known as Krampusnacht (Krampus Night), is marked by parades and celebrations in many parts of Austria. During these events, costumed performers dressed as Krampus roam the streets, clanging chains and playfully scaring onlookers, especially children. The next day, on December 6, St. Nicholas arrives to reward well-behaved children! Santa Claus and Krampus are at a balance during Austria’s holiday season.
Tour not found.Austrian nativity scenes and decorations
Nativity scenes hold a special place in Austria’s Christmas season. Locally they called Krippen, and often the nativity scenes reflect the rich craftsmanship of the region, with everything from simple wooden carvings to elaborate, life-sized depictions. Austrian towns and churches often have grand displays that draw visitors from afar. At home, besides a Christmas tree, many families will create their own Nativity scenes too.
Austria’s best Christmas markets
Towns squares turn into twinkling hubs of light and laughter as Austria’s Christmas markets roll out across the holiday season. The Vienna Christmas Market, held in front of the Rathaus, is one of the most iconic. The Market stalls are filled with handcrafted gifts, delicious treats, and steaming Glüwein. The best way to explore is with Trafalgar’s Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland where you’ll nibble on mulled wine and gingerbread while soaking it all in.
In Salzburg, the Christkindlmarkt provides a picture-perfect backdrop with its historic charm and views of Hohensalzburg Fortress. Innsbruck’s markets, perfectly framed by the Alps, are undoubtably enchanting, with the Golden Roof adding a touch of magic. No matter where you go, each market offers a mix of traditional crafts, Nativity scenes, and seasonal delicacies.
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Austrian festive foods
Food is the centerpiece of Christmas in many cultures, and an Austrian Christmas celebration is filled with traditional dishes. On Christmas Eve, families often enjoy a feast centered around baked or fried carp, a traditional dish symbolizing good fortune. Desserts are a star of the season, with tables piled high with Christmas cookies like Vanillekipferl (vanilla crescents) and Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread).
Before the big family gather is the many Christmas or Advent markets, where visitors can warm up with steaming cups of mulled wine and indulge in roasted chestnuts, apple strudel, and marzipan sweets. No Austrian celebration is complete without Stollen, a rich fruitcake dusted with powdered sugar, or Krapfen, pillowy doughnuts filled with jam.
December 24: Christmas Eve traditions
Christmas Eve or December 24 is the main event in Austria, and families gather to reflect and spend time together. The day often begins with decorating the Christmas tree—often kept hidden until this moment—and then preparations for dinner begin.
As evening falls, families come together to share a special dinner, typically featuring dishes like baked carp and Christmas cookies. The highlight of the night is the exchange of gifts, often accompanied by the singing of traditional carols. The songbook always includes the world-famous “Silent Night”, famously written in Austria. After, many families also attend midnight Mass.
Tour not found.Where is the most Christmassy place in Austria?
The capital, Vienna, is often considering the most Christmassy place in Austria during the holiday season. The city’s festive charm is unmatched, with its Christmas markets creating a magical atmosphere. If you spend Christmas in Austria’s capital you’ll find the streets are beautifully decorated, with twinkling lights and holiday displays, and the smell of freshly baked gingerbread fills the air!
Grand holiday concerts, like the Vienna Boys’ Choir and performances of The Nutcracker, also take place in Vienna. So, between Vienna’s imperial architecture, cozy Christmas markets, and endless events, it’s the perfect place to go for holiday cheer.
Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Austria?
The best place to spend Christmas in Austria depends on how you wish to enjoy the holiday. Small towns like Rattenberg keep the vibes imitate and cozy while larger cities such as Graz and Innsbruck get a little more festive (and crowded) during the holiday season. Tyrol is a perfect place to learn about traditional Austrian Christmas customs like the burning of incense for twelve nights, the Anklöpfler carollers going door-to-door, and sampling the fresh-baked Zelten Christmas biscuits.
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Is Christmas a good time to visit Austria?
Christmas is an exceptional time to visit Austria no matter where you visit. The county celebrates Christmas in diverse ways from the traditional Christmas customs of Tyrol to the effervescent activities throughout major cities like Vienna. Innsbruck, Austria, has seven Christmas markets selling roasted chestnuts and Tyrolean Kiachl. For fans of the Christmas carol Silent Night, visit Oberndorf where Joseph Mohr penned its lyrics.
Is it better to go to Vienna or Salzburg for Christmas?
Choosing to spend Christmas time in Vienna or Salzburg is a difficult decision but you won’t regret either. If the number one item on your wish list is spending all day and night sipping gluhwein and eating cookies at Christmas markets, Vienna has the most. Salzburg leans more traditional and romantic thanks to its Baroque architecture and backdrop of snowy mountain ranges. For Christmas Day, you’ll have an intimate family-friendly experience in Salzburg while Vienna allows you to share the holiday with a more cosmopolitan crowd.
Austria Christmas Markets 2025
So many magical Christmas markets, so little time. Use this list of 2025 Austria Christmas markets to help you plan an unforgettable visit to one of Europe’s most enchanting winter escapes.
Vienna Christmas markets opening as early as November 6, 2025
Christkindlmarkt: November 14th
Karlsplatz: November 21st
Schönbrunn: November 6th
Belvedere: November 14th
Spittelberg: November 14th
Maria-Theresien-Platz: Not opening on the square in 2025
Freyung: November 14th
Am Hof: November 14th
Altes AKH: November 14th
Stephansplatz: November 8th
Wintermarkt: November 21st
Hirschstetten: November 13th
Salzburg Christmas markets opening as early as November 20th, 2025
St. Leonhard Advent Market: November 29th
Charitable Advent Market at the Alter Markt: November 21st
Hellbrunner Adventzauber: November 20th
Stern Advent and Winter Market: November 20th
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Dom- and Residenzplatz Square: Not opening in 2025
Advent market at Salzachsee: November 22nd
Christmas Market on Mirabellplatz: November 20th
Christmas Wonder World: Mid-November
Advent at Salzburg Fortress: November 21nd
Innsbruck Christmas markets opening as early as November 14th, 2025
Old Town: November 15th
Maria Theresien Street: November 25th
Advent at the Market Square: November 15th
Hungerburg: November 21st
St. Nikolaus: November 21st
Wilten: November 21st
The Kaiserweihnacht am Bergisel: November 14th
Ready to join an Austria tour and experience the magic for yourself? Check out our Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland