In this guide
💡 The Short Version: The first markets open on Friday 6 November 2026 (Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz). Rathausplatz and most others open on Friday 13 November, and the Belvedere, Maria-Theresien-Platz and the Prater on Friday 20 November. Most markets close on 23 December, not Christmas Eve. Only Rathausplatz, Stephansplatz, Maria-Theresien-Platz and Schwarzenbergplatz run to 26 December, the Belvedere to 31 December and Schönbrunn and the Prater to 6 January 2027. Entry to Schönbrunn’s market is free, and the ice-stock lanes there need a paid online reservation. Or book a guide: the Christmas market food and drinks tourad is from €125 for 3 to 4 hours.
⚠️ Closing dates. Spittelberg, Am Hof, Karlsplatz, the Freyung, the University Campus and Türkenschanzpark close on 23 December.
Dates and hours
Dates and hours are from each market’s organiser and from the Vienna Tourist Board’s market list. The markets are listed by opening day.
| Market | Opens | Closes | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schönbrunn Palace | Fri 6 Nov | 6 Jan 2027 | Daily 10:00 to 21:00 to 23 Dec; 24 Dec 10:00 to 16:00; 25 Dec to 6 Jan 10:00 to 19:00 |
| Stephansplatz | Fri 6 Nov | 26 Dec | Daily 11:00 to 21:00; 24 Dec to 16:00; 25 and 26 Dec to 19:00 |
| Rathausplatz | Fri 13 Nov | 26 Dec | Daily 10:00 to 22:00; 24 Dec to 18:30 |
| Schwarzenbergplatz | Fri 13 Nov | 26 Dec | Mon to Fri 11:00 to 21:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 21:00; 24 to 26 Dec 11:00 to 16:00 |
| Spittelberg | Fri 13 Nov (from 14:00) | 23 Dec | Mon to Fri 14:00 to 21:30; Sat, Sun and holidays 11:00 to 21:30 |
| Am Hof | Fri 13 Nov | 23 Dec | Mon to Thu 11:00 to 21:00; Fri to Sun and holidays 10:00 to 21:00; food to 22:00 |
| Art Advent, Karlsplatz | Fri 13 Nov | 23 Dec | Daily 12:00 to 20:00; food to 21:00 |
| University Campus | Fri 13 Nov | 23 Dec | Mon to Thu 14:00 to 22:00; Fri 14:00 to 23:00; Sat 11:00 to 23:00; Sun 11:00 to 21:00; 23 Dec 14:00 to 20:00 |
| Freyung | Sat 14 Nov | 23 Dec | Daily 10:00 to 21:00 |
| Türkenschanzpark | Sat 14 Nov | 23 Dec | Mon to Fri 15:00 to 22:00; Sat, Sun and holidays 12:00 to 22:00 |
| Belvedere (K&K) | Fri 20 Nov | 31 Dec | Mon to Fri 11:00 to 21:00; Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00 to 21:00; 24 and 31 Dec 11:00 to 17:00 |
| Maria-Theresien-Platz | Fri 20 Nov | 26 Dec | Mon to Fri 11:00 to 21:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 21:00; 24 to 26 Dec 11:00 to 16:00 |
| Prater Winter Market | Fri 20 Nov | 6 Jan 2027 | Mon to Fri 12:00 to 22:00; Sat, Sun and holidays 11:00 to 22:00; 24 Dec 11:00 to 17:00; 31 Dec 12:00 to 02:00 |
The Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens hold a Christmas exhibition with a market from 12 November to 20 December, Thursday to Sunday 10:00 to 22:00. Hours for the Karlsplatz, Campus, Türkenschanzpark and Prater markets are from the Tourist Board.
The markets, by place
Rathausplatz
City Hall, 1010 · U2 Rathaus, trams 1, 71 and D · 13 November to 26 December
The Vienna Christmas Market stands in front of the City Hall, with a 12 m multi-level carousel, a tree of hearts and, in the park, a reindeer train and a nativity trail. The ice rink, the Ice Dream, runs round the park paths from 13 November to 6 January 2027, daily 10:00 to 22:00, and is closed on 31 December. The larger Viennese Ice Dream with four rinks returns on 22 January 2027 (Wiener Eistraum).
The Christmas market on Rathausplatz, with the City Hall behind. Photo: Palickap, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Schönbrunn Palace
Ehrenhof, 1130 · U4 Schönbrunn or Hietzing, about 600 m on foot · bus 10A · 6 November to 6 January 2027
The stalls fill the courtyard in front of the palace. The organiser’s 2026 additions are a panorama terrace with a photo point and a bar, open to the public unless a private event is on. There are a skating rink with skate hire in sizes 27 to 46, a carousel, a Ferris wheel and a children’s train. Ice-stock shooting, Eisstockschießen, is played on lanes you reserve and pay for online, and a reservation cannot be cancelled. No dogs, bicycles or scooters are allowed on the palace grounds. To go inside the palace as well, see Schönbrunn Palace tickets.
The market in the Schönbrunn courtyard at dusk. Photo: traveljunction, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Stephansplatz
Stephansplatz, 1010 · U1 and U3 Stephansplatz · 6 November to 26 December
About 40 booths at the foot of St Stephen’s Cathedral, selling Austrian products, according to the Tourist Board. The cathedral and its towers are in the St Stephen’s Cathedral guide, and hotels near St Stephen’s lists the hotels round the square.
The Belvedere (K&K)
Prinz-Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 · tram D Schloss Belvedere · 20 November to 31 December
A market of at most 35 huts in front of the Upper Belvedere, designed round the imperial-and-royal era in its decorations, music and food. By day it is traditional; from 18:00 the organiser puts on lounge, jazz and electro swing. It runs to New Year’s Eve, closing at 17:00 on 31 December. Klimt’s The Kiss hangs in the Upper Belvedere: see Belvedere tickets.
Market huts on the forecourt of the Belvedere. Photo: Michal Louč, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Spittelberg
Spittelberggasse, Stiftgasse, Schrankgasse and Gutenberggasse, 1070 · U2 and U3 Volkstheater · 13 November to 23 December
A craft market in the Biedermeier lanes of Neubau, with sustainable, fair-trade and organic products according to the Tourist Board. It opens at 14:00 on weekdays, so a morning visit finds it shut. It is a short walk from the MuseumsQuartier: see Vienna’s museums.
A market lane on Spittelberg. Photo: Geolina163, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Maria-Theresien-Platz
Between the Kunsthistorisches and Natural History Museums, 1010 · U2 and U3 Volkstheater · 20 November to 26 December
About 70 stalls of crafts and gifts between the two museums. The organiser says the village returns in 2026 after a year’s pause with a new concept. It is a few minutes from the Hofburg and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Am Hof and the Freyung
Am Hof and Freyung, 1010 · U3 Herrengasse · 13 and 14 November to 23 December
Two small markets of crafts within a few minutes of each other in the old centre. Am Hof has more than 70 exhibitors and serves food until 22:00. The Freyung market, the Old Viennese Christmas Market, sells handicrafts, glass decorations and traditional cribs; the Tourist Board says a market stood there as early as 1772, and Advent music plays on the square from 16:00.
Schwarzenbergplatz
Hochstrahlbrunnen, 1010 · tram D and 71 · 13 November to 26 December
New in 2026. The market is set round the Hochstrahlbrunnen fountain, with light installations over the fountain and the park, and a stage programme.
Art Advent, Karlsplatz
In front of the Karlskirche, 1040 · U1, U2 and U4 Karlsplatz · 13 November to 23 December
A craft market with live bands and children’s workshops. The Tourist Board says all the food on offer is organically certified.
The University Campus
Alserstraße and Spitalgasse, courtyard 1, 1090 · U6 Alser Straße · 13 November to 23 December
A courtyard market that is popular with students, with a children’s railway, an old-fashioned carousel and two curling lanes. It is the market with the latest weekend hours, to 23:00 on Friday and Saturday.
The Prater Winter Market
Riesenradplatz, 1020 · U1 Praterstern · 20 November to 6 January 2027
Fairground rides, live acts from gospel to soul and pop, and food and gift stalls, under the slogan “The Prater rocks”. It is the one market open late on 31 December, to 02:00. The Giant Ferris Wheel is next door: see the Prater and the Riesenrad.
What to eat and drink
Punch and mulled wine come in mugs with a deposit. At the four markets run by weihnachtsmarkt.at, the red-boot punch mug is glass for the first time in 2026: you can return it for the deposit or keep it (weihnachtsmarkt.at). Food runs late at Am Hof (to 22:00) and Art Advent (to 21:00). For a sit-down meal after the market, see where to eat in Vienna, and for coffee and cake in the warm, Viennese coffee houses.
Tours and concerts
Christmas market food and drinks tour
From €125 · 3 to 4 hours · up to 8 people
Vienna: Christmas Market Food and Drinks Tourad samples Austrian winter food and warm drinks at the markets, in groups of up to 8. The minimum age is 17.
Christmas markets walking tour
From €76 · 2 hours
Vienna: Christmas Markets Tourad is a 2-hour walk round some of the traditional markets, with hot punch and food at the stands. The listing allows ages 7 and over.
Schönbrunn Christmas market and concert
From €84
Vienna: Schönbrunn Christmas Market and Classical Concertad gives you a voucher for the food stands of the Schönbrunn market and a classical concert, for up to 20 people.
Advent and Christmas concerts
From €25 to €49 · 1 to 1 hour 10 minutes
Two church concerts sell in volume. Vienna: Advent, Christmas and New Year’s Concertsad is from €25 for 70 minutes in the Minorite Church. Vienna: Christmas & New Year’s Concert in St. Peter’s Churchad is from €49 for an hour, with the Classic Ensemble Vienna. For the difference between these and the concert halls’ own programmes, see Vienna classical concerts.
Planning the day
- Shops. Shops are shut on Sundays. On Tuesday 8 December, a holiday, they may open from 10:00 to 18:00. On 24 December most close by 13:00 or 14:00, and on 31 December by 17:00, food shops by 18:00 (WKO Wien). Markets and restaurants are not shops.
- Daylight. The sun sets at 16:01 on 15 December. December averages a high of 4.0°C and a low of -0.4°C (GeoSphere Austria). Dress for it: see the best time to visit Vienna.
- Crowds. Weekend evenings are the busiest. Go on a weekday afternoon.
- Getting there. Rathausplatz, Maria-Theresien-Platz and Spittelberg are on the U2 and U3. The S-Bahn through the centre is closed from 7 September 2026 to the end of October 2027, so use the U-Bahn: see Vienna public transport.
- Where to sleep. Stephansplatz holds a market from 6 November to 26 December, and rooms facing the square overlook it. Hotels near St Stephen’s lists the hotels within 850 m, and where to stay in Vienna compares the districts.
Next
For the evening of 31 December, see Vienna on New Year’s Eve. The ball season opens on 11 November: Vienna ball season. A day for the Habsburg sights is in 3 days in Vienna, and what to book before you go to Vienna lists the tickets that need a slot. To combine Vienna with another city, Vienna to Budapest covers the train, and the Budapest, Prague and Kraków Christmas market guides have their dates.
Common questions
When do the Vienna Christmas markets open in 2026?
Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz open on Friday 6 November. Rathausplatz, Schwarzenbergplatz, Spittelberg, Am Hof, Karlsplatz and the University Campus open on Friday 13 November, and the Freyung and Türkenschanzpark on Saturday 14 November. The Belvedere, Maria-Theresien-Platz and the Prater open on Friday 20 November.
Are the Vienna Christmas markets open on 24 and 25 December?
Some are. On 24 December Rathausplatz is open to 18:30, Schönbrunn to 16:00, Stephansplatz to 16:00, Maria-Theresien-Platz and Schwarzenbergplatz to 16:00, the Belvedere and the Prater to 17:00. On 25 December Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn, Stephansplatz, the Belvedere and the Prater are open. Spittelberg, Am Hof, Karlsplatz, the Freyung, the Campus and Türkenschanzpark closed on 23 December.
How long do the Vienna Christmas markets run?
Rathausplatz, Stephansplatz, Maria-Theresien-Platz and Schwarzenbergplatz close on 26 December, the Belvedere on 31 December, and Schönbrunn and the Prater on 6 January 2027. The rest close on 23 December.
Is there an entry fee for the Vienna Christmas markets?
Schönbrunn's organiser says entry to its market is free, and you need no palace ticket. Skating, ice-stock lanes and rides are paid. The Schönbrunn ice-stock lanes should be reserved and paid for online in advance, and a reservation cannot be cancelled.
What is the red boot mug at Vienna Christmas markets?
The organiser of the Stephansplatz, Campus, Maria-Theresien-Platz and Schwarzenbergplatz markets sells punch in a red-boot mug. In 2026 the mugs are glass for the first time. You can pay a deposit and return the mug, or keep it.
Which Vienna Christmas market is closest to the sights?
Stephansplatz is at the foot of St Stephen's Cathedral, Am Hof and the Freyung are a few minutes away, and Rathausplatz, Maria-Theresien-Platz and Schwarzenbergplatz are on the Ringstrasse. Schönbrunn and the Belvedere are in front of the palaces.
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