🎄 13 Vienna Christmas markets: where to drink mulled wine and buy gifts

Planning a Christmas trip to Vienna is tricky: the markets open on different dates. The fair at Schönbrunn runs until January, while the market on Freyung wraps up the day before Christmas Eve.

If you're coming for a few days, your choice depends on your travel dates. We checked the season schedule on the organizers' websites and put together a single list of all the city's venues. Some fairs close before Christmas.

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When Vienna's Christmas markets open

💡 In short:

The Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz markets open earliest.
Schönbrunn and the winter market in the Prater close latest.
In the first district, the markets are close together, and you can walk between them.
Dates, opening hours, and addresses: 09/2026, verified on the official Vienna tourist office page

The dates vary more than you might think: Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz start in the first days of November. Freyung and Am Hof close the day before Christmas Eve. You'll have the widest selection in the first half of December, when all venues are open at once.

After Christmas, few markets remain, and the ice rink at City Hall runs until January 6. Check the hours for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve separately. On those days, schedules are shortened, and some venues are closed.

Evening lights at the Christmas market in Vienna

1. Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz

The city's main fair is located at Rathausplatz, and the entrance is marked by a tall arch with candles. Inside, vendors sell Christmas tree ornaments, ceramics, sweets, and hot punch. Behind City Hall, the Vienna Ice World rink is set up, and for children there's a 12-meter carousel, a reindeer train, and a nativity scene (as of 09/2026, fair program).

Winter ice rink in front of Vienna City Hall

In the evening, the square is bathed in warm light, and you can see the arch even from the Ring.

Carousel and City Hall illumination at the Christmas market in Vienna

Dates and hours: November 13 through December 26, 2026, daily 10:00-22:00, December 24 until 18:30 (as of 09/2026, Christkindlmarkt page).
Ice rink: November 13 through January 6, daily 10:00-22:00, closed December 31 (according to the organizer's website).
Getting there: metro U2 and U3, trams 1, 71, and D, Rathausplatz/Burgtheater stop (directions).
Who it's for: families with children, couples, and first-time visitors to Vienna.

The separate Wiener Eistraum ice rink will open here later, from January 22 through March 7, 2027 (rink schedule).

2. Weihnachtsmarkt am Maria-Theresien-Platz

The second major venue in the center sits between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum. There are about 70 stalls with artisan gifts and ceramics here (as of 09/2026, official market website). If you're visiting a museum, the market will be right next to you: Stephansplatz is about a kilometer away on the map.

Christmas market at Maria Theresa Square

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Dates and hours: November 20 through December 26, 2026, Mon-Fri 11:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-21:00 (hours and dates at the square).
Location: between the two museum buildings, entrance from the Ring (see map).
Who it's for: those heading to the museums who want a market right next door.

3. Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Schönbrunn

A market in the inner courtyard of Schönbrunn, with the longest season in the city. More than 90 decorated stalls are set up in the courtyard (as of 09/2026, official Schönbrunn market website). Under the arcades they sell crafts and regional food, and it's convenient with kids: there are carousels and craft workshops.

Christmas market in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace

Dates and hours: November 6, 2026 through January 6, 2027; until December 23, 10:00-21:00, December 24 until 16:00, from December 25 until 19:00 (Schönbrunn opening hours).
Ice rink and curling: Eisstockschießen lanes should be booked in advance (according to the Schönbrunn organizer's page).
Location: in the palace's inner courtyard, metro at the park entrance (see map).
Who it's for: families and those coming to Vienna after Christmas.

4. Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung

The city's oldest venue: the market on Freyung has been known since 1772 (as of 09/2026, Altwiener Markt website). Here you can pick up ceramics, glass ornaments, and nativity scenes, and Stephansplatz is within walking distance.

Christmas market at the Austria Fountain on Freyung

Dates and hours: November 14 through December 23, 2026, daily 10:00-21:00 (Freyung history and hours).
The catch: it closes on December 23, so there's no market here over the Christmas days.
Who it's for: those who came for handmade gifts rather than entertainment.

5. Weihnachtsmarkt on Am Hof square

The second market is next to Freyung, and many people stop by on their way. It focuses on crafts and choral singing (as of 09/2026, Weihnachtsmarkt Hof page). In the evening you'll hear a choir here.

Am Hof square with the Marian Column in Vienna

Dates and hours: November 13 through December 23, 2026, Mon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sun and holidays 10:00-21:00 (Am Hof market program).
Who it's for: those strolling through the center who want a short stop.

6. Weihnachtsdorf at Stephansplatz

The market at the foot of St. Stephen's Cathedral: there aren't many stalls, around 40, but almost everything is local (as of 09/2026, Weihnachtsdorf website). It opens on November 6, the same day as Schönbrunn. It's a convenient starting point for a walk through the center.

Stephansplatz at night with Christmas lights and arches

Dates and hours: November 6 through December 26, 2026, daily 11:00-21:00, December 24 until 16:00, December 25-26 until 19:00 (Stephansplatz hours).
Location: at Stephansplatz, right by the cathedral (see map).
Who it's for: those visiting Vienna for a day who want to see the cathedral and the market together.

7. Art Advent at Karlsplatz

The market by St. Charles Church, and it's not about mulled wine. Art workshops operate here, there are installations, and live bands play (as of 09/2026, Art Advent program according to the tourist office).

Christmas market at Karlsplatz at night with string lights

During the day people come for ceramics and textiles, and in the evening you'll stay for a concert. All food on site is organically certified.

Dates and hours: November 13 through December 23, 2026, daily 12:00-20:00, food until 21:00 (Art Advent hours on the tourist office website).
Who it's for: those who want live music instead of another carousel.

8. Weihnachtsmarkt at Spittelberg

The market hides in the lanes of the Biedermeier quarter behind the MuseumsQuartier. It's known for local and organic products (as of 09/2026, Spittelberg page). The streets here are narrow, and the walk takes less time than at Rathausplatz: you can do a full loop in under an hour.

Christmas market in the lanes of Spittelberg

Dates and hours: November 13 to December 23, 2026, Mon-Fri 2:00 PM-9:30 PM, Sat-Sun and holidays 11:00 AM-9:30 PM (hours at Spittelberg).
Who it's for: those shopping for handmade gifts who want to avoid the crowds at the city hall.

9. Weihnachtsdorf at the university campus

The romantic market in the inner courtyard of the University of Vienna campus is especially popular with students (as of 09/2026, campus page). For families, there's a children's railway, a vintage carousel, and two curling lanes. You can stay here until late in the evening.

Red glowing Christmas tree at the Christmas market at night

© János Korom Dr. >17 Million views from Wien, Austria · CC BY-SAPhoto: János Korom Dr. >17 Million views from Wien, Austria, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Dates and hours: November 13 to December 23, 2026, Mon-Thu 2:00 PM-10:00 PM, Fri 2:00 PM-11:00 PM, Sat 11:00 AM-11:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM-9:00 PM (campus program).
Location: inner courtyard on Alserstraße, near Schottentor (see map).
Who it's for: families with children and students.

10. Christmas market at Schwarzenbergplatz

The youngest venue on the list, held around the Hochstrahlbrunnen fountain. The focus is on light: installations illuminate the fountain and the entire park (as of 09/2026, organizer's page). There's also a large stage and a children's program, and you'll see the lights even from the Ring.

Hochstrahlbrunnen Fountain at Schwarzenbergplatz in Vienna

Dates and hours: November 13 to December 26, 2026, Mon-Fri 11:00 AM-9:00 PM, Sat-Sun 10:00 AM-9:00 PM (Schwarzenbergplatz calendar).
Location: on the Ring, near Karlsplatz (see map).
Who it's for: those who come to the market for the lights and concerts.

11. Wintermarkt at Riesenradplatz

The winter market in the Prater by the Ferris wheel is the most musical one: the stage features gospel, soul, and pop (as of 09/2026, Wintermarkt website). Kids can enjoy rides, and the Winterburg courtyard has a play area and a bouncy castle. If you're visiting between the holidays, the market will be open.

Performance on the Wintermarkt stage at Riesenradplatz

Dates and hours: November 20, 2026 to January 6, 2027, Mon-Fri 12:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-22:00, December 24 until 17:00, December 31 12:00-02:00 (Prater schedule).
Location: Riesenradplatz, by the Ferris wheel (see map).
Who it's for: families and those visiting Vienna between Christmas and New Year's.

12. Christmas market at Türkenschanzpark

A park market in the Währing district, far from the tourist routes. You can catch glassblowers and jewelers here (as of 09/2026, park market website), and on weekends there's a craft workshop for kids. You'll like it here if you're tired of the central venues.

Türkenschanzpark lawn with people relaxing under the trees

Dates and hours: November 14 to December 23, 2026, Mon-Fri 15:00-22:00, Sat-Sun and holidays 12:00-22:00 (hours at Türkenschanzpark).
Who it's for: those who want a market in a park rather than on a square.

13. Christmas exhibition at Hirschstetten

Not a market in the city center, but a Christmas exhibition at the botanical garden in Donaustadt. They sell food, drinks, regional delicacies, and Christmas tree ornaments (official city website). The season is short, and with kids you can combine the exhibition with a walk through the garden.

Quiet street with yellow houses in Hirschstetten

Dates and hours: November 12 to December 20, 2026, open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00-22:00 (exhibition hours).
Who it's for: those visiting with kids who want a relaxed day.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When do the Christmas markets open in Vienna?

The markets at Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz start the earliest: they open on November 6 (as of 09/2026, Vienna tourist office data). The main wave comes in mid-November: that's when Rathausplatz, Am Hof, Karlsplatz, Spittelberg, and the university campus get going. By the end of the month, all thirteen locations are open.

How much does it cost to enter the Christmas markets?

Organizers don't sell separate entry tickets: you only pay for food, drinks, and souvenirs (as of 09/2026, market page). Ice rinks and Eisstockschießen lanes are booked separately. Mulled wine and punch are bought right at the stall, usually by card.

Which market stays open the longest and what's open after Christmas?

Schönbrunn and the winter market in the Prater stay open the longest. Both locations close on January 6, 2027 (as of 09/2026, organizer data). The market at Rathausplatz wraps up on December 26. Most markets in the center close even earlier, on December 23. After Christmas, go with the first two. The ice rink at the Rathaus runs until January 6, but it's closed on December 31.

Which markets are closest to the center?

In the first district you'll find Rathausplatz, Freyung, Am Hof, and Stephansplatz. You can walk between Freyung, Am Hof, and Stephansplatz: the distances there are measured in hundreds of meters (per the map). In one evening you can cover three or four markets.

In short: what's worth booking

Start your first trip with Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn. These are the two biggest locations, with ice rinks and a full range of food. For handmade gifts, head to Spittelberg, Freyung, and Karlsplatz. For a quiet evening in the park, go to Türkenschanzpark.

If you have one evening, go for the ice rink at the Rathaus and dinner at a stall. Then walk through Freyung and Am Hof. With kids, Schönbrunn or the university campus will be easier.

Vienna tours and evening tour tickets should be booked in advance during high season: Vienna tours on GetYourGuide.

Vienna Christmas markets: 13 addresses, dates and opening hours 2026