Es Weihnachtet! Christmas Markets Fill the City

Winter markets open their stands across the city in the coming weeks, announcing “Es weihnachtet!”, or “Christmas is here”

Kaleb Warnock —
Nov 15, 2012

Rathaus Christmas Market (Photo: )

Nothing says Christmas in Vienna like its quintessential Christmas markets, popping up all over the city this November. Vienna is home to several markets – each of which offers its own assortment of handicrafts, holiday charm, and of course, Glühwein, its famous mulled wine.

Fun meets culture at the Spittelberg Christmas Market as more than 100 exhibitors from Austria and surrounding countries come together to present their handicrafts. Opening on 15 Nov., Spittelberg give visitors the opportunity to wander through the narrow alleys of the old Viennese Biedermeier suburb, offering a glimpse of a winter village of years past.

Christmas descends on Rathauspark on 17 Nov, when the Advent market opens for the season. The City Hall square will also be decorated with Christmas lights and colourful trees, giving market-goers the opportunity to wander through the decorative setting as they enjoy delicacies such as cotton candy, roasted chestnuts, and more Glühwein. Children can ride the "Christkindl Express", one of the live ponies, or the less-smelly merry-go-round.

The courtyard of the former hospital (Altes AKH) becomes a Weihnachtsdorf (Yuletide village) on 17 Nov. featuring 60 exhibitors along the Handicrafts Mile, where attendees make their own beeswax candles, blue print products, and other handicrafts. Also opening the same day, the Prater’s Wintermarkt at Riesenradplatz gives both visitors and Viennese alike the opportunity to enjoy Punsch and Glühwein while touring the historic Prater amusement park with the emblematic Riesenrad, its high-flying carousel, or the winter Liliputbahn train.

Tucked between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museumm, Maria-Theresien-Platz hosts her traditionally-decorated market beginning 21 Nov., with not only Punsch and Glühwein, but homemade delicacies as well.

Two days later, Christmas shoppers will have the opportunity to browse along the unique backdrop of the beautiful Schloss Belvedere at its Christmas Village. Opening 23 Nov., the market offers guests the opportunity to sample treats like Schinkenfleckerln (ham noodles), Kasnocken (cheese dumplings) and Viennese sausages.

Finally, the Christmas village at Schloss Hof, opening 24 Nov., rewards those who drive the extra 40-minutes outside Vienna with an opportunity to loiter in the rustic environs of the Baroque palace. This oft-overlooked market boasts more than 100 exhibitors from Central Europe, and attracts more than 50,000 visitors annually.

A Selection of Vienna’s Christmas Markets

Spittelberg

15 Nov.-23 Dec.

7., Spittelberg

www.spittelberg.at

Rathausplatz

17 Nov.-23 Dec.

1., Rathausplatz

www.christkindlmarkt.at

Prater

17 Nov.-6 Jan. 2013

2., Riesenradplatz