Unwrap the Magic: Must-Have Austria Christmas Market Souvenirs

The most popular European Christmas Market souvenir is the Christmas Market Mugs.

Almost every Christmas Market in Austria features a festive Christmas Market mug, with a new design appearing each year.
Some Christmas Markets may have stalls that sell limited-edition, special Christmas Market Mugs.

Almost every Austrian Christmas Market visit begins with the festive ritual of the warm clink of a mug being handed over for a hot drink—often a steaming cup of Glühwein (mulled wine) or punch.
These mugs have become beloved Christmas Market souvenirs: you pay a deposit (typically around €4-5) when you order your drink, then either return the mug to reclaim your deposit or keep it as a colourful memory of your trip.
Check my guide to the Best Vienna Christmas Market Mugs. 

The snow globe, a beloved Christmas Market souvenir, was actually invented in Vienna. The iconic Original Wiener Schneekugel (also known as the Perzy Workshop) has been handcrafting these magical globes since the early 1900s.

These delicate orbs capture miniature winter scenes, often featuring famous Viennese landmarks like the Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel), Schönbrunn Palace, and Stephansdom. With their enchanting appeal and rich history, snow globes make the perfect keepsake from your Austrian holiday.

You’ll find the original handcrafted Snow Globes at all the major Vienna Christmas Markets, as well as snow globes at stalls at other Christmas Markets.

One of the most iconic sweet souvenirs you’ll find at Austrian Christmas Markets are Lebkuchen hearts—ginger-bread-style biscuits decorated with icing messages (“Frohe Weihnachten”, “Ich liebe dich”, etc.).

These stiff, decorative cookies are usually hung up or given as affectionate gifts rather than eaten right away.

Every Austrian Market will have at least one stall selling them. They capture the festive spirit and make for an inexpensive, cheerful souvenir.

A trip through the decoration stalls reveals a wealth of styles—from classic themes like skiing, tobogganing and winter sport motifs, to uniquely Austrian touches such as wooden violins or alpine house motifs.

Every Christmas Market has multiple stalls with a large selection of hand-carved wooden ornaments, hand-blown glass baubles, lanterns, and jute decorations.

These make elegant souvenirs that tell a story of Austrian craftsmanship.

Nothing captures the spirit of an Austrian Christmas quite like an Advent wreath or the sweet, spicy scent of traditional decorations.

You’ll find beautiful wreaths crafted from fresh or dried greenery, adorned with candles, ribbons, pinecones, and sprigs of holly — each one a masterpiece of festive craftsmanship.

Many stalls also sell duftgebinde — aromatic bundles made from dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and cloves — along with delicate cinnamon heart ornaments that fill your home with the comforting fragrance of the season.

These charming pieces make thoughtful gifts or timeless additions to your own Christmas décor, bringing a touch of Austrian warmth wherever they hang.

Nutcrackers are everywhere this time of year, and Austria’s Christmas Markets are no exception.
These wooden figures—often representing soldiers, kings or hunters—are offered in many sizes- from small Christmas Tree Decorations to large free-standing Nutcrackers.

🌟🌟 My favourite place to buy Nutcrackers is at the Salzburg Dom Christkindlmarkt, where the selection of wooden crafts is especially good. They make hearty, festive souvenirs with character.

Distinctively Austrian/German, these little wooden figurines (often in the form of hunters, miners, craftsmen) have a pipe in their mouths.
You place a small cone of incense inside, the “smoke” comes out of the pipe, and the figure becomes both decoration and scent-maker.

These are charming souvenirs found widely at Austrian Christmas Markets, such as the Salzburg Dom Christkindlmarkt and the Rathaus Christkindlmarkt in Vienna.

These miniature buildings—churches, train stations, bakeries and cottages—often light up, hold tealights or fragrance oil burners, and allow you to build your own festive “Christmas village” at home.

They are reminiscent of European townscapes of wood-roofed houses and snowy scenes.

You will find ceramic houses, trees, and little people to make a thoughtful gift or a memorable souvenir of your Christmas Market trip.

🌟🌟 I add to my collection every year, and my favourites are at the Salzburg Dom Christkindlmarkt, Art Advent in Vienna, and the Altwiener Christmas Market in Vienna, which feature some of the most beautiful ceramic houses.

Nativity scenes are central to Austrian Christmas tradition.

You’ll find finely crafted sets made of wood or ceramic, often sold at specialist craft stalls.

At Christmas Markets such as Freyung, Rathausplatz, Art Advent in Vienna, and in Salzburg and Innsbruck, you can pick up individual figurines or complete sets. These make meaningful souvenirs—not just decorations, but culturally significant souvenirs.

Traditional wooden toys and puzzles reflect Austria’s rich heritage in woodworking.

You will find stalls selling wooden toys at most Christmas Markets – Art Advent and Spittleburg in Vienna and the Salzburg Dom Christkindlmarkt (pictured).  
The Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung, Vienna, is particularly noted for its wooden crafts, ranging from elaborate nativity figures to simpler puzzles.

These make excellent gifts for children or for those who appreciate heritage handicraft.

The artisan Markets in Vienna, such as Art Advent at Karlsplatz and the Spittelberg Christmas Market, as well as Salzburg’s Hellbrunn Palace Market, are excellent for ceramics—both classical styles and modern designs.

Whether you’re looking for mugs, bowls, decorative platters, or vases, you’ll find handmade pieces with an Austrian flair.

Candles and festive candle holders make for a wonderfully cosy souvenir, perfect for bringing the warmth of Austrian Christmas Markets into your home.

You’ll discover a range of beautifully crafted beeswax and artisan scented candles, each with its own charm.

You’ll also see the classic Candle Arch (Schwibbögen), a Christmas decoration that depicts intricate winter scenes or village silhouettes, often illuminated with LED lights.

Stalls at every Christmas Market offer a variety of candle holders, ranging from delicate glass designs featuring winter scenes or inspired by famous Austrian artists like Klimt—typically for tea lights—to rustic wooden holders with a more traditional feel.

At the Christmas Markets of Salzburg and the Wolfgangsee region, you’ll find the beautiful red and gold St. Gilgen Advent candle decorations — a traditional Advent symbol of the Wolfgangsee villages. These festive candles reflect the warm, glowing spirit of the season and memories of the impressive 11-metre-high red and gold candle that shines over Lake Wolfgang, welcoming visitors to the markets.

At Christmas markets across Austria, you’ll find a sparkling array of handcrafted jewellery —everything from classic Austrian designs to contemporary creations.
You’ll find delicate silver and gold pieces to unique designs made with glass, enamel, wood, or crystal. Local artisans showcase their creativity with earrings, pendants, and bracelets that make perfect festive keepsakes or thoughtful gifts.  

In Vienna, the  Stephansplatz Christmas Market, Art Advent on Karlsplatz, and the Alt Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung feature talented jewellers offering elegant handmade pieces that reflect both traditional craftsmanship and modern style.

In Salzburg, the Domplatz (Cathedral Square) and Hellbrunn Palace markets also glimmer with artisanal jewellery stands. 

Stylish winter wear is a hallmark of Austria’s Christmas Markets, where you’ll find hand-knitted scarves, gloves, and hats alongside beautifully crafted Austrian-themed textiles such as blankets, tablecloths, pillowcases, napkins, and placemats.

Every Christmas Market features stalls with cosy knitwear and high-quality woollen goods. These make perfect souvenirs—something you can wrap up in, during your travels or buy as thoughful gifts.

You’ll also come across traditional trachten—Austrian national costumes that embody the country’s rich cultural heritage. From stylish hats and tailored jackets to iconic lederhosen and dirndls, these garments make a unique and memorable souvenir. Perfect for anyone wanting to take home a piece of Austria’s traditional style, trachten offer a glimpse into the heart of Austrian folklore and customs.

For art lovers, some Christmas Markets offer small prints, sculptures, and paintings from local artists.

The Art Advent Market in Vienna is noted for its range of contemporary art and crafts.

These souvenirs last beyond the season, bringing a piece of Austrian creativity home with you.

Leather goods make a durable, practical souvenir.

Within Austria’s Christmas Market scene, you’ll encounter stalls offering high-quality leather items—wallets, purses, belts, bags, even leather-bound journals.

These are perfect for someone looking for a lasting gift rather than a seasonal ornament.

If you enjoy cooking or baking, these make terrific souvenirs.

You will find souvenirs and gifts, such as wooden spoons, wooden embossed rolling pins and cutting boards with Austrian motifs, or handmade items with finishes that can become cherished souvenir pieces and also practical kitchen aids back home.

One highlight is at Salzburg’s Dom Christkindlmarkt, where a stall is devoted entirely to cookie cutters – from typical Christmas motifs to animals, cars, and more, everything imaginable is available.

Regional spirits or speciality liqueurs are often available at Austrian Christmas Markets.

A popular gift to take home is a small bottle of locally produced schnapps — a traditional liqueur often infused with festive Christmas spices — or perhaps a bottle of Austrian wine or craft gin.

You’ll also come across beautifully made tulip-shaped schnapps glasses, perfect for enjoying these spirited flavours, as well as Austrian schnapps boards — charming wooden trays with carved slots designed to hold multiple glasses for serving and sharing.

Additionally, syrup versions of mulled wine or special punches make a lovely take-away gift. Perfect for a small bottle that travels well.

You will find these gifts at most Christmas Markets- my favourite stalls are at the Am Hof Christmas Market in Vienna.

From sweet treats to savoury delights, Austrian Christmas Markets are packed with edible souvenirs.

You’ll find sausages, roasted almonds, marzipan figures (often shaped like pigs, four-leaf-clovers, chimney-sweeps for good luck on New Year’s), regional cheeses, honey from alpine bees, biscuits and jams.

These make excellent gifts or personal treats. Visiting artisan-led Markets (for example, the Art Advent, Spittelberg, Am Hof or Alt Wiener in Vienna) to find organic or boutique items.v

Beeswax candles are popular, but you’ll also find spreads of items derived from beeswax: lip balms, hair or beard pomades, even polish for wood furniture scented with beeswax.

These are distinctive souvenirs with a natural twist.

At Christmas markets across Austria, you’ll find a sparkling array of handcrafted jewellery —everything from classic Austrian designs to contemporary creations.
You’ll find delicate silver and gold pieces to unique designs made with glass, enamel, wood, or crystal. Local artisans showcase their creativity with earrings, pendants, and bracelets that make perfect festive keepsakes or thoughtful gifts.  

In Vienna, the  Stephansplatz Christmas Market, Art Advent on Karlsplatz, and the Alt Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung feature talented jewellers offering elegant handmade pieces that reflect both traditional craftsmanship and modern style.

In Salzburg, the Domplatz (Cathedral Square) and Hellbrunn Palace markets also glimmer with artisanal jewellery stands. 

Homemade chocolates, chocolate-covered marshmallows, caramel confections, nougat—you’ll find stalls offering these sweet souvenirs.

They’re perfect for small gifts or personal indulgence and typically travel well if packed carefully.

In Salzburg, you’ll find a stall dedicated to the iconic Mozartkugeln—an irresistible Austrian delicacy. These indulgent treats feature a centre of pistachio-marzipan, enveloped in a layer of creamy nougat and coated with rich dark chocolate.