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December 2026

Advent lights, Christmas markets and a waltz into the new year

Key dates

29 Nov · 1st Advent

6 Dec · 2nd Advent

8 Dec · Holiday, shops open

13 Dec · 3rd Advent

20 Dec · 4th Advent

24 Dec · Christmas Eve

25–26 Dec · Holidays

31 Dec · Silvesterpfad

1 Jan · New Year’s Concert

Christmas markets

Innere Stadt

Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz

The big one: lit trees, family attractions and crowds in front of the City Hall. 13 Nov–26 Dec 2026.

Hietzing

Schönbrunn Christmas market

Crafts and concerts in the palace courtyard; runs past New Year. 6 Nov 2026–6 Jan 2027.

Neubau

Spittelberg

Stalls in Biedermeier lanes with good crafts and a younger crowd. 13 Nov–23 Dec 2026.

Innere Stadt

Am Hof

Quality crafts on one of the old town’s oldest squares. 13 Nov–23 Dec 2026.

Wieden

Art Advent, Karlsplatz

An arts-and-crafts market with organic food before the Karlskirche; strong for children. 13 Nov–23 Dec 2026.

Landstraße

Belvedere Christmas market

Stalls before the Upper Belvedere’s Baroque façade and pond. 20 Nov–31 Dec 2026.

Innere Stadt

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt, Freyung

A traditional market with nativity figures and glass ornaments. 14 Nov–23 Dec 2026.

Leopoldstadt

Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz

Lights and food stalls beneath the Ferris wheel. 20 Nov 2026–6 Jan 2027.

Holidays & big nights

8 December · Mariä Empfängnis

A public holiday (Tuesday in 2026). Many shops may open roughly 10:00–18:00, so expect busy streets.

Advent Sundays

29 Nov, 6, 13 and 20 Dec. Shops stay closed, but markets, churches and Advent concerts are in full swing.

24–26 December

Most markets close by early afternoon on the 24th. Schönbrunn, Belvedere and Riesenradplatz carry on afterwards.

31 Dec · Silvesterpfad

A New Year’s Eve trail of stages, waltz lessons and food stalls through the Innere Stadt, usually from mid-afternoon.

Check 2026 dates

31 Dec · Imperial Ball

The Kaiserball in the Hofburg opens the ball season with a formal New Year’s Eve evening. Tickets and dress code apply.

Check 2026 dates

1 Jan 2027 · New Year’s Concert

The Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein, conducted by Tugan Sokhiev. Tickets are by lottery; watch on television.

Good to know

Market hours

Hours vary by market and day; some close early on 24 and 31 December. Check each market’s site.

Go early or late

Weekday afternoons are calmest; Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest.

Ice skating

A rink at the Rathausplatz usually joins the market season.

Check 2026 dates

11 Useful tips

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