Where can you find the best Christmas markets outside of Vienna? I'll tell you in this Christmas blog post. Here are my 3 favourite Christmas markets around the city. Take a look and get ready for Christmas!
This weekend it's time again: the first Advent candle is lit! All of the Christmas markets in Vienna are open and, as every year, there is a lot of crowding and chatter around the punch huts and ornament stalls. The city is full of lights and it's hard to escape their magic (and the hustle and bustle).
Do you still want to try it? Do you prefer something a little more tranquil? Then I recommend a little trip to the area surrounding Vienna. There are numerous Christmas markets to discover, some of them with breathtaking scenery. Absolutely recommended at the end of a short hike, a museum visit or just to enjoy mulled wine. Three of these Christmas markets will be described in more detail here and at the very bottom of the blog there is a link to many, many more. Perhaps you will find your very own favorite market. Let's go!
The Knightly One
A towering, rugged rock. A castle with battlements, bay windows and towers, like in the fairy tale books of your childhood. The Vienna Woods all around. This is the magical backdrop of one of the most beautiful small Advent markets in Vienna's immediate vicinity: for the second time this year, the "Advent Hochburg" is taking place directly in front of Liechtenstein Castle near Maria Enzersdorf. You can feel the enthusiasm of the organizers at every turn. The lovingly crafted wooden stalls offer high-quality items, because this special market also sees itself as a stage for young Austrian designers, artisans and winemakers.
Scented candles from "Flaschenduft", beautiful tableware from "Sara-Keramikstudio", delicious chutneys from "Senfsation" and the fantastic wines from "Kellerkünstler" really make you want to buy a little gift. There is also brass music, a Christmas tree forest, a Christmas tree ornament and cookie exchange market and of course plenty of space for children to romp around. And when the charcoal grill is lit and the smell of mulled wine reaches you, when the stalls and Liechtenstein Castle are illuminated in the evening - yes, then you don't want to leave!
Adventhochburg, Am Hausberg, 2344 Maria Enzersdorf
Opening Times: Friday to Sunday, 14:00 - 20:00
You can find further information including the exact event program here:
The Monastic One
The Augustinian Canons' Monastery in Klosterneuburg, just a stone's throw from Vienna, also has a lot to offer during Advent. Where, according to legend, Margravine Agnes's wedding veil was once found blown away from Leopoldsberg, the monastery with its imposing double-tower façade now stands as a guardian over the town of Klosterneuburg. The backdrop for the small, but very fine "Advent of Lights" in the monastery's convent garden is really quite impressive! On three Advent weekends, the square in front of the orangery is transformed into a Christmas village with everything that goes with it: mulled wine and punch, culinary delights and stalls selling Christmas tree decorations and gifts.
The special thing about this market this year is the "Path of Lights" through the convent garden, which is normally only accessible to the monks. On a circular route through this hidden garden, Kellerstrasse and the Kuchl and Leopoldihof, you'll be enchanted by all kinds of light and sound installations. In addition, a very varied program is offered: There is a nativity scene exhibition in the Marble Hall, a blacksmith's workshop, baking workshops for children, a stage program in the Christmas village and a whole series of Christmas concerts in the Augustinus Hall and in the Abbey Church. The Abbey's treasury can also be visited! A great opportunity to take a little trip outside the gates of Vienna and get to know the Abbey better. The market begins on the weekend of December 6th to 8th.
Would you like to visit Klosterneuburg beforehand? Then you can do so this weekend, because on November 30th and December 1st the traditional Christmas market of the Abbey Parish will take place in the Abbey's Binderstadl. Also with an interesting and varied program such as tower tours and the guided tour "Behind the scenes of the Abbey Church".
So why not go to Klosterneuburg twice?
Adventmarkt Stift Klosterneuburg, Stiftspl. 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg
Entry at the Orangerie at the Niedermarkt
Opening Times:
6. bis 8. December
13. bis 15. December
20. bis 22. December
Friday and Saturday: 15:00 - 21:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 20:00 Uhr
You can find all information including the exact event program here:
For the Advent market in the Binderstadel: www.stift-klosterneuburg.at/event/adventmarkt-im-binderstadl/
Opening hours: November 30th and December 1st from 10:00 - 20:00.
The Biedermeier One
The beautiful Biedermeier town of Baden near Vienna is the elegant backdrop for “Advent in Baden’s city center,” which takes place in Baden’s most beautiful squares until December 24th. At Theaterplatz, for example, there are chestnuts and punch, and on December 24th, potato soup is traditionally served here in exchange for a charitable donation. On the main square in front of the plague column, you can listen to Christmas brass music on Sundays during Advent. At Josefsplatz, children can enjoy the carousel while the adults listen to the live music program on the stage there.
And the extensive spa park with its wonderful old music pavilion will also be part of Baden’s Advent magic at “Advent in the Park” with countless lights, a Christmas forest, and a diverse supporting program. Charity and sustainability are very important here.
Adventmarkt in Baden
From 22.11., event throughout the city, with different opening times
You can find all information including exact opening hours and event program here:
If you want to browse and discover more, here is the link to over a hundred other markets, which you can mark down and use as inspiration for next year. After all, you don't want to overwhelm yourself ;-)
And don't forget to visit my website. A voucher for an AlpineFoxes guided tour in Vienna (and beyond!) is always a wonderful and very personal Christmas present. Grab one for your loved ones right away at www.alpinefoxes.com
And then: Merry Christmas!
Your Claudia from the AlpineFoxes
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