Innsbruck Christmas markets: seven locations, dates and prices 2026

Innsbruck in winter smells like mulled wine and burnt sugar. In the center of this Alpine city, seven Christmas markets are open at once, and you can visit all of them in a single evening. They open in mid-November and run through December 23, while two of them, on Maria-Theresien-Straße and at Hungerburg, stay open until January 6 (as of 09/2026, christkindlmarkt.cc). Below you'll find what makes each market different, when it's open, and how to get to the highest one. We checked prices and hours against the official websites in September 2026.

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The essentials on Innsbruck's markets

💡 In short:

• There are seven markets, and entry to each is free: you only pay for food, drinks, and gifts.
• The season runs from November 13 to December 23, while the spots on Maria-Theresien-Straße and Hungerburg stay open until January 6.
• The central markets are within walking distance of each other. Exceptions: Hungerburg above the city and Bergisel by the ski jump.
• To reach Hungerburg, take the cable car Hungerburgbahn; the ride is paid (as of 09/2026, nordkette.com).
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official market website.

When the markets are open: 2026 dates and hours

The dates vary by market, and that's worth keeping in mind when planning. Some spots open as early as November 13, while others only open at the end of the month. The evening markets in Wilten and St. Nikolaus are open for just a few hours, so it's easier to plan your route in advance using the table below.

Dates and hours: 2026/27 season, based on the combined schedule at christkindlmarkt.cc and the event page at tirol.at. Double-check them again before your trip, because evening market schedules change most often.

Seven markets: what makes each one different

Each market has its own character: one is about crafts, another about children, a third about the view. Below you'll see how they differ and where to go for your kind of evening.

© Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

1. Altstadt under the Goldenes Dachl

Innsbruck's oldest market spreads out beneath the Goldenes Dachl, the golden roof in the heart of the Old Town. There are several dozen stalls here, where you'll find handmade ceramics, candles, warm hats, and wooden toys. In the Christkindlwerkstatt workshop, children shape and craft things under supervision, and a large live spruce stands over the square. The aroma of local Kiachln and mulled wine drifts through all the lanes. If you want to take everything in at a relaxed pace, come on a weekday before noon.

© Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden · CC BY-SAPhoto: Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Who it's for: anyone who wants a traditional market with crafts and a children's workshop.

2. Marktplatz

The market on Marktplatz by the river is designed for families. While you browse the stalls with Christmas ornaments and mulled wine, the kids can watch a Kasperltheater puppet show or ride the carousel. This market has the most stalls in the city, and the widest selection of gifts and food. It's more spacious than in the Old Town, and noticeably easier to navigate with a stroller.

© Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Who it's for: families with kids: the puppet theater and carousel are right next to the stalls.

3. Maria-Theresien-Straße

The city's main street, named after Empress Maria Theresa, sparkles with lights in winter. The market on Maria-Theresien-Straße leans into light, glass, and crystals, and a new theme is added every year. Recently the street was styled as a "market of five continents" with cuisine and gifts from around the world. Along with Hungerburg, this is the only location that stays open after Christmas, until January 6. Stop by in the evening: you'll appreciate the shop window lighting and garlands best after dark.

© Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: it works during the New Year period, when other markets are already closed.

4. Hungerburg

Innsbruck's highest market sits on the Hungerburg plateau, above the city's rooftops. The best way up is the Hungerburgbahn cable car right from the center, and the ride takes about eight minutes (as of 09/2026, nordkette.com). At the top there are about a dozen stalls with sweets and gifts, surrounded by a panorama of the illuminated city. Come around sunset, when the lights below are just starting to come on and the line for the cable car is still short.

© Luftschiffhafen · CC BY-SAPhoto: Luftschiffhafen, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: the cable car ride is not free, it's a separate expense.

5. Wiltener Weihnachtszauber

The small Wiltener Weihnachtszauber operates on Wiltener Platzl in the Wilten district. A dozen stalls offer handmade decorations, local and international delicacies, and there's a separate program for children. It's a quiet alternative to the center, mostly visited by neighborhood residents. If the busy main street isn't your thing, start your evening here.

© Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: it's only open for a few hours in the evening, so plan your visit in advance.

6. Bergweihnacht in St. Nikolaus

On the left bank of the Inn River, in the St. Nikolaus quarter, a few stalls turn Hans-Brenner-Platz into a warm meeting spot. Here you'll find the scent of spices, calm music, and mulled wine, but none of the crowds of the main street. It's a place for a slow evening away from the bustle. You can walk here from the Old Town across the bridge over the Inn in just a few minutes.

• Who it's for: anyone who wants a quiet evening without the crowds.

7. Kaiserweihnacht at Bergisel

At the famous Bergiselschanze ski jump, next to the TIROL PANORAMA museum and the Kaiserjägermuseum, the Kaiserweihnacht market unfolds. The market doesn't operate every day, only on weekends, with a program of food, crafts, and music (as of 09/2026, tirol.at). It's easy to combine a visit with the museum, and you should set aside separate time for it. TIROL PANORAMA is open Wednesday through Monday, from 9:00 to 17:00, and an adult ticket costs 9 € (as of 09/2026, tiroler-landesmuseen.at).

© Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden · CC BY-SAPhoto: Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: it's only open on weekends, so check the schedule.

How to get to Innsbruck and up to Hungerburg

Innsbruck sits on the main Alpine railway line, with trains arriving from Munich, Vienna, and Zurich. From Innsbruck Hbf station to Maria-Theresien-Straße it's about a 10-minute walk (as of 09/2026, innsbruck.info), so the city center markets are easily reachable right from the train. It's convenient to compare train schedules and prices in advance. To get up to Hungerburg, take the Hungerburgbahn from Congress station, and you can buy tickets on site or online.

Where to stay near the markets

Innsbruck is compact, and almost everything in the center will be within walking distance. To avoid rushing back from the market in the evening, book a hotel in the Old Town or near Maria-Theresien-Straße, then it's a five-minute walk to mulled wine and back. It's convenient to browse options and prices on Trip.com. Demand is high in December, so it's worth booking a central room well in advance.

© osmplus_org · CC BY-SAPhoto: osmplus_org, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many Christmas markets are there in Innsbruck?

Seven. They are located in the center and nearby: under the Goldenes Dachl, on Marktplatz, on Maria-Theresien-Straße, on Hungerburg, in Wilten, in St. Nikolaus, and at the Bergisel ski jump.

When are the markets open in 2026?

Most run from mid-November through December 23. The markets on Maria-Theresien-Straße and Hungerburg stay open longer, until January 6. Kaiserweihnacht at Bergisel is open only on weekends, for six weekends. Exact hours for each market are listed in the table above.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, admission to all seven markets is free. You only pay for food, drinks, mulled wine, and gifts. A separate expense is possible for the ride up: the Hungerburgbahn cable car to Hungerburg is paid.

How do I get to the highest market on Hungerburg?

Take the Hungerburgbahn cable car from the Congress station in the center. At the top, you'll find panoramic city views and about a dozen stalls. An adult round-trip ticket costs 14 €, and a one-way ticket costs 8.40 € (as of 09/2026, nordkette.com).

Which market should I choose with kids?

The market on Marktplatz: it has the Kasperltheater puppet theater and a carousel, plus the most gift and food stalls. In the Old Town under the Goldenes Dachl, the Christkindlwerkstatt workshop lets kids make their own toys. Both markets are in the center, and you can walk between them in five minutes.

In short: what's worth booking

Innsbruck's seven markets cover every taste: classic vibes under the Goldenes Dachl, family-friendly Marktplatz, panoramic Hungerburg, and a quiet evening in St. Nikolaus. Admission is free everywhere, and you only pay for mulled wine and the cable car ride.

• If you're going for a couple of days: book a hotel in the center and walk between the markets, Innsbruck hotel prices on Trip.com.
• If the markets alone aren't enough: add a city tour or a trip to Swarovski, things to do in Innsbruck on GetYourGuide.

Check dates and hours on official websites before you leave, since some markets are open only in the evening or on weekends.