Vienna · Austria
Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 Official
Official websiteDates and hours may change. Check them on the market's official site.
| City | Vienna |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Location | Rathausplatz, Wien |
| Dates | 13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 Official |
| Opening hours | Daily 10:00–22:00; 24 Dec 10:00–18:30 |
| Official website | Official website |
| Map pin | 48.21070, 16.35900. Approximate location from the sources used for this page. |
The Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz is a traditional Christmas market in front of Vienna's Rathaus (City Hall). Its own website says it is regarded as one of the most beautiful and largest Christmas markets in Europe. It is described as a standout among the many shopping streets and Advent markets that light up Vienna before Christmas. One of its best-known traditions is the Christkind. A well-known Christmas song says Santa Claus is coming to town, but the site says that in Vienna it is the Christkind who comes to the city. The Wiener Christkindl is presented as just one of the market's many highlights. Beside the market is a skating attraction called Eistraum am Christkindlmarkt. Skaters have the Burgtheater on one side and the illuminated Rathaus rising in front of the Christmas-decorated park and the market on the other. The site says this view can feel like a dream. For the 2026 season, the market is open from 13 November to 26 December 2026, daily from 10:00 to 22:00, with shorter hours of 10:00 to 18:30 on 24 December. The Eistraum runs from 13 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 with the same daily hours. It closes on 31 December and has shorter hours on 24 December. The sources give no founding date, history or stall counts for the market.
Sources: christkindlmarkt.at.
Traditions and specialities
In Vienna it is the Christkind (Christ Child), not Santa, who brings the presents, as the market itself points out. The Christkind is the traditional gift-bringer across Austria and southern Germany.
Source: Official site: christkindlmarkt.at · Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
A rink of about 3,000 m² with icy paths winding through the Rathaus park, set between City Hall and the Burgtheater.
Source: Wikipedia · Official site: christkindlmarkt.at. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Choirs perform Advent music at the market. It is a highlight of the official programme.
Source: Official site: christkindlmarkt.at.
Vienna is Austria's capital, with just over two million people, on the Danube at the eastern edge of the Vienna Woods, the last foothills of the Alps. It began as the Roman fort of Vindobona, became the seat of the Babenberg dukes in 1155 and later the capital of the Habsburgs. Today it is Austria's cultural, economic and political centre and the EU's fifth-largest city. With around 20 Christmas markets, a winter visit can easily become a market-hopping weekend.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
AIA Labs publishes this page as an independent guide. It is not the market's own website.