Christmas is widely celebrated in Austria and the celebration in the country can be a different experience for you. Christmas markets are famous in a number of nations in Europe and Austria has its own to boast for. Whether towns are big or small, they have their own Christmas markets to offer. The most famous Christmas markets that every tourist enjoy is located in Salzburg while the other one is in Vienna, the capital of the country. But do not just focus on one Christmas market alone. Explore each town and see the kind of Christmas market they have. You might find a really rare item that may not be found in the most popular Christmas markets in the country.
Not all Christmas markets open at the same day. Some open as early as the twelfth day of the month of November while others follow up to the end of the month. Christmas lights sparkle the main squares of major cities while various Christmas decorations adorn the streets of the villages and cities of Austria. Each Christmas market offer handmade toys, numerous Christmas displays, and various delicacies that can only be enjoyed during Christmas such as pastries and cookies.
- Over 140 stalls are lined up in front of the City Hall of Vienna which composes the Christmas Market of the city. This particular market can still be traced back as far as 1298. The stalls offer a variety of food and drinks, including handmade decorations and handicrafts. A Christmas workshop can be found there too for the children which they can bake cookies and make their own trinkets. The Christmas Market in this place starts on November 16 up to December 24.
- Another Christmas Market in the same city is the Schonbrunn Christmas Market which starts on the 23rd of November up to the 26th of December which you can find right at the front of the Schonbrunn Palace. Not only will you be able to see the market, you will also witness daily concerts, the scent of gingerbread and mulled wine filling the air and admire the Christmas tree which helps elevate the festive mood of Christmas.
- Spittelberg Christmas Market starts on November 15 and ends on December 23. The stalls form a line along the narrow lanes of Biedermeier district near MuseumsQuarter.
Take note that there are over ten Christmas Markets around Austria and probably more if you try to visit every town and cities during Christmas season.