Hardly any other country arranges as many beautiful Christmas markets each year as Austria does. Austrians clearly understand how to create the perfect pre-Christmas atmosphere throughout their different cities. But Germany and Italy also have enchanting Christmas markets to offer in the Alps. SnowTrex presents the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the Alps.
The most beautiful Christmas markets in the Alps at a glance
| Christmas Market | Country |
|---|---|
| Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck | Austria |
| Heilbrunner Adventszauber in Salzburg | Austria |
| Adventsmarkt in Esterházy Palace | Austria |
| Christkindlmarkt Linz | Austria |
| Christkindlmarkt Klagenfurt | Austria |
| Weihnachtsmarkt Graz | Austria |
| Weihnachtsmarkt Schwarzenberg | Austria |
| Weihnachtsmarkt Vienna | Austria |
| Christkindlmarkt Kitzbühel | Austria |
| Weihnachtsmarkt Kufstein | Austria |
| Lake Wolfgangsee Advent | Austria |
| Christkindlmarkt Bolzano | Italy |
| Merano Advent | Italy |
| Castelrotto Bergweihnacht | Italy |
| Weihnachtsmarkt Kempten | Germany |
Christkindlmarkt in Innsbruck
Amidst the medieval houses of Innsbruck’s historical city, you can find the arguably most traditional Christmas market. Surrounding a large, brightly illuminated Christmas tree, 70 quaint market stalls are set up, selling all kinds of precious objects. Families with children are recommended to pay a visit to the Kiebachgasse street, near the famous “Goldenes Dachl”. The street is transformed into “Fairy Tale Alley”, where well-known fairy tale characters greet you from the houses’ fronts.
Another market is located on Maria-Theresien-Straße, for example, and impresses with unique lighting effects, while an oversized Swarovski Christmas tree can be marvelled at on the market square.
The highest Christmas market with a fantastic view can be reached with the Hungerburg funicular railway (857 m).
Other Christmas markets during the “Bergweihnacht Innsbruck”:
- Christkindlmarkt Wilten – “The Artful Market”
- Christkindlmarkt St. Nikolaus
Nearest ski area: Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck
Hellbrunner Adventszauber in Salzburg
Those visiting “the city of Mozart”, Salzburg, during the Christmas season should not miss out on the Hellbrunn “Adventszauber”. Decorated with over 700 conifers, the market has been held against the backdrop of Hellbrunn Palace for many years. Among other things, visitors can expect stalls with traditional handicrafts, an oversized Advent calendar, a nativity scene exhibition and an extensive children’s programme. There are several other Christmas markets in Salzburg. The historic Christmas market on Salzburg Cathedral Square, for example, is a classic among big city markets.
Further Christmas markets in Salzburg
- Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz
- Adventmarkt at Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Weihnachtsmarkt am Mirabellplatz
- Adventmarkt St. Leonhard
- Sternadvent with Winter Market
Nearest ski area: Dachstein West
Adventsmarkt at Esterházy Palace
In the capital of Burgenland, Eisenstadt, Esterházy Palace hosts a magnificent Advent market. Against the noble backdrop of the baroque inner courtyard, around 50 stalls offer their artful articles and rarities, while the choir sings, brass players play and children are entertained with a programme. In addition to the market, visitors can view the current exhibitions in the castle.
Nearest ski area: Präbichl
Christkindlmarkt in Linz
The baroque main square in Linz is the backdrop for the Christmas market in Upper Austria’s capital city. The market is mainly aimed at artists and artisans. Therefore, a large selection of local handcrafted items can be found here, and you can look forward to hot punch and delicious gingerbread.
Nearest ski area: Hinterstoder/Wurzeralm
Christkindlmarkt Klagenfurt
The Market at Neuer Platz in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is known as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the entire Alps-Adreatic-region. The square is bathed in a sea of lights, the stalls are designed lovingly, and the scene is accentuated by choir performances, artists and music schools – all is set for a festive mood! Alternatively, the Christmas Market at Domplatz also has a nice programme with extras like e.g. a Gospel Mass, brass music and musical arias.
Nearest ski area: Skigebiet Gerlitzen
Christmas market at Schlossberg in Graz
The Christmas market in Graz is called “Aufsteirern”. Actually, the Christmas Market is located above Graz, on Schlossberg Mountain. Visitors go up the local mountain with the Schlossbergbahn mountain railway, when the market opens its doors only on the five Advent weekends. Everything here is home-made and typically Styrian, from craftsmanship to music performances. The programme is full of atmosphere and comprises brass players playing from the bell tower, the Styrian “Christkind”, or torch hikes.
Further Christmas Markets in Graz:
- Altgrazer Christkindlmarkt in Franziskanerviertel quarter
- Christkindlmarkt at Hauptplatz
- Advent-Genuss at Eisernes Tor
Nearest ski area: Kreischberg
Christmas market in Schwarzenberg in the Bregenzerwald
In the small mountain village in the Bregenzerwald, the rustic, rural atmosphere becomes even more rustic in the run-up to Christmas. On the listed village square in Schwarzenberg, there are brightly lit stalls selling handmade decorative items and homemade Advent wreaths, among other things. The wreaths and Christmas biscuits are made by the locals themselves and the proceeds are donated to an orphanage project in Africa.
Nearest ski area: Damüls-Mellau
Vienna Christmas Market in the Museum quarter
A rather extraordinary market can be found in Vienna’s Museumsquartier. The historic buildings from the 18th and 19th century make for a high-contrast backdrop for six artistically designed ice pavilions where visitors can enjoy tasty punch and snacks, elaborate light installations and varying DJ sounds. Curling is also on offer. Apart from the, the surrounding museums offer a broad cultural programme.
Nearest ski area: Präbichl
Christkindlmarkt in Kitzbühel
Of course, there is also a Christmas market in exclusive Kitzbühel. In addition to exquisite gifts and wonderful handicrafts, there are also culinary delicacies on offer. The “Devil’s Night”, a big Krampus show at the Hahnenkamm car park, takes place every year. The traditional show is a great experience for young and old. There is also a walk-through Advent calendar in Reith and a small but idyllic Advent market at the Rasmushof right next to the famous Streif downhill run.
Nearest ski area: Kitzbühel
Christmas Market at Kufstein Stadtpark
Two Christmas markets attract visitors to Kufstein, which is just 3 kilometres from the German border. At the Christmas market in the Stadtparkmerna, you can choose gifts or souvenirs while enjoying live music and Tyrolean specialities and the Bergflunkerer reads contemplative stories. The Christmas magic at Kufstein Fortress is particularly romantic. Traders offer their handmade goods in the casemate corridors.
Nearest ski area: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser
Advent at Lake Wolfgangsee
At Lake Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut region, Advent is celebrated in the three lakeside communities of Strobl, St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang under the motto “Advent as it used to be”. Once a week, for example, the entire market in St. Wolfgang is lit up with candlelight and lanterns. A highlight are the artistic nativity scenes with life-size figures and sometimes live animals, which cast a spell over the viewer.
Boat ferries travel between the villages, which also carry the floating peace light lantern, which creates an atmospheric ambience even on the lake.
Nearest ski area: St. Gilgen/Zwölferhorn
Christkindlmarkt in Bolzano
The largest Christmas market in Italy is located on the beautifully decorated Waltherplatz in Bolzano. Around 80 stalls offer Christmas decorations, handcrafted products made of wood, ceramics and glass as well as gastronomic specialities. At dusk, the wonderfully illuminated market against the backdrop of the Dolomites is an unforgettable experience.
Nearest ski area: Rittner Horn
Merano Advent
At this somewhat different Christmas market, only culinary delicacies from the local area are on offer. The best place for tasting is the oversized, walk-in Christmas tree baubles on the Thermenplatz – booking recommended! Merano attaches great importance to old craftsmanship, which can be experienced live on site. The lights on the large Christmas tree, which only light up when enough electricity is generated by bicycle, are a nice touch. If you want to experience a Christmas market in true Alpine tradition, this is the place to be.
Nearest ski area: Meran 2000
Castelrotto Bergweihnacht
The highest Christmas market in South Tyrol opens its doors in Castelrotto on four weekends during Advent. Here a basket maker, there herbs and teas from Martha Mulser’s herb garden and in the background the old alleyways of Castelrotto as a romantic backdrop – all this promises Christmas spirit par excellence. The Kastelruth farmers and restaurateurs serve up delicious South Tyrolean cuisine, craftsmen and farmers open their secret drawers and show off their old tools, and the small but exquisite Christmas market frames the whole event. Another highlight: the Christmas concert by the famous Kastelruther Spatzen.
Nearest ski area: Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi
Christmas Market in Kempten
The Christmas market on Kempten’s historic and beautiful market square is one of the most beautiful in the whole of Bavaria. In addition to the many stalls, there are Christmas tours, Christmas readings and atmospheric activities. One highlight is the Kempten Christmas fountain, for which the best artists from the Oberammergau carving school have created scenes from the Christmas story. Even if it is a little further to Kempten, it is definitely worth travelling from Oberstdorf, Bad Hindelang, Oberstaufen and Kleinwalsertal.
Nearest ski area: Ski area Nesselwang
