Austria at Christmas
A Complete Planning Hub for Austria Christmas Markets & Christmas Travel
Austria at Christmas is one of Europe’s most magical seasonal experiences. Austria is renowned for its festive Christmas markets, centuries-old traditions, beautiful winter scenery and charming cities transformed for the Advent season.
Austria at Christmas is pure magic — from snow-dusted alpine villages to grand city squares filled with music, mulled wine, and candlelight, the season is celebrated with warmth, beauty, and traditions.
This page is your central planning hub for visiting Austria at Christmas, bringing together all of our in-depth guides to help you plan your trip with confidence — whether you’re visiting Vienna for the first time or planning a multi-city Christmas market itinerary.
Use the links below to explore Christmas markets, itineraries, planning advice, and Austrian Christmas traditions in detail.
Discover how to make your Austrian Christmas truly unforgettable.
Hi, I’m Tammy — founder of Wanderlustria and the Austria Travel Planning Facebook group. Living in Austria and experiencing the magic of its Christmas traditions — from festive markets and Krampus parades to cosy seasonal dishes — has given me a deep appreciation for what makes this time of year so enchanting.
I’m passionate about sharing my insider tips and local knowledge to help travellers experience the true spirit of an Austrian Christmas.
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Why Visit Austria at Christmas
Christmas in Austria is centred around Advent traditions, atmospheric Christmas markets, seasonal food, and festive city celebrations.
From late November through December, cities and alpine towns across Austria host traditional markets that are both family-friendly and deeply rooted in local culture.
This Austria at Christmas hub will help you understand what to expect and guide you to the right resources based on your travel plans.
Austria at Christmas- Quick Overview
♦ Best time to visit: Late November to 23 December
♦ Main highlight: Christmas markets (Christkindlmärkte)
♦ Top cities: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck
Important: Most markets close before Christmas Day on December 23 or 24.
👉 If you’d like help pulling everything together for a stress-free Austria Christmas holiday, you can use my Austria travel consultation service.
Weather, Crowds & What to Expect
♦ Temperatures: Around -2°C to 5°C
♦ Snow: Possible, especially in alpine regions
♦ Crowds: Christmas Markets are busiest in the evenings and at weekends
♦ Best time to visit Christmas Markets: Weekday afternoons or early evenings
Austria Christmas Traditions
Austria at Christmas is about more than Christmas Markets.
Local traditions, festive food, and cultural customs play a major role in the Advent season. The guides below explain what makes Christmas in Austria unique.
Austria Christmas Traditions
Experience the magic of Austria’s Christmas traditions.
Krampus
Learn about the Krampus Parades (Krampusauflauf) held in Austria’s Alpine villages.
Austria New Year's Eve Traditions
Discover Austria’s unique Silvester Traditions.
Where to Celebrate New Year's in Austria
Discover Austria’s unique Silvester Traditions.
Austria Christmas Markets- What to Know Before You Go
Austria’s Christmas markets are the highlight of the season, but first-time visitors often have questions about crowds, timing, and how the markets actually work. The guides below focus on practical, experience-based advice to help you enjoy Austria’s Christmas Markets without stress.
How to plan a Christmas Market Trip
The simple 14-step guide explains how to pan a stress-free Christmas Market Trip to Austria.
Christmas Market Tips
This guide covers essential tips to help you navigate the markets and make the most of your experience.
Common Christmas Market Mistakes
This guide highlights the 16 most common errors and how to avoid them.
Austria Christmas Market Dates & Destinations
Essential guides to dates and the top Austria Christmas Market destinations.
Austria Christmas Market Dates
The 2025 Christmas Market Dates for Vienna, Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Innsbruck.
Top Vienna Christmas Markets
The Top 6 Vienna Christmas Markets that you should visit.
Vienna Christmas Markets Hotel Guide
Where to stay in Vienna while visiting the Christmas Markets
Best Salzburg Christmas Markets
The Top 5 Salzburg Christmas Markets that you should visit.
Austria Christmas Market Tips
Christmas Market Packing List
The guide to what to pack for a European Winter holiday.
Christmas Market Food Guide
The 16 Must-Try Foods at Austrian Christmas Markets.
Christmas Market Souvenir Guide
Our top 22 gifts and souvenirs to buy at Austrian Christmas Markets.
Vienna Christmas Market Mugs
How to buy Vienna Christmas Market Mugs.
Austria Christmas Market Itineraries
A well-planned itinerary makes it much easier to experience multiple Christmas markets without feeling rushed. These guides help you choose the right itinerary based on how long you have in Austria.
Austria Christmas Market Itineraries
Discover our recommended 5-, 7-, and 14-day itineraries.
14-Day Christmas Market Itinerary
The ultimate Austria Christmas Market adventure.
7-Day Christmas Market Itinerary
A perfect week-long journey through Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
Buy our PDF guide- all the information to plan your Trip.
Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
The Ultimate Vienna Christmas Markets Itinerary is a printable PDF guide with all the essential information and three day-to-day itineraries visiting the Best Vienna Christmas Markets.
Our 60+ pages guide has all the information you need to plan your Vienna Christmas Markets Holiday- from where to stay, to what are the best Christmas Market Foods and Souvenirs.
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