We don’t even know where to start with this one since there is so much to do! Okay, so basically, it’s an advent market in the Ottakringer Brauerei. And there is A LOT on the programme. There’s everything from typical Christmas market activities like drinking Punsch to super exciting things like curling (reservations needed)! And they also have not one, but multiple markets on different dates. We highly recommend you check out the programme on their website so you don’t miss anything!
Lots to do at this Christmas market!
Ottakringer Weihnachtszauber
Thu. 23rd Nov — Sat. 23rd Dec
Recommended if you like:
Punsch, Christmas time in the city, the idea of saving yourself from the Christmas shopping gauntlet, the smell of roasted almonds, intimate events, discovering local designer talent
Get ready for a blooming good time!
Christmas Exhibition and Market in the Hirschstetten Flower Gardens
Thu. 23rd Nov — Sat. 23rd Dec
10am — 8pm
Recommended if you like:
romanticising winter, pretending to be in a Disney movie, playing ‘guess the fairy tale’ with floral arrangements, navigating a Christmas market like a pro gift detective, pretty flowers
This year’s Hirschstetten Flower Gardens exhibition, which is themed ‘Christmas Fairy Tales’, brings to life nine stories, including classics like Dickens’ ‘Christmas Story’ and the Brothers Grimm’s ‘Frau Holle’.
While you’re there, check out the Advent market with over 50 stalls of traditional goodies, from gingerbread to handmade toys and ceramics. Kids can have a bit of fun, too, making Christmas decorations with the city gardeners.
Heads up! The exhibition is open Thursday to Sunday. Also, construction work limits car access to the South entrance (1220 Vienna, Quadenstraße 15), so opt for public transport or use the North (Oberfeldgasse) or West (Spargelfeldstraße 22) entrances.
Travel back in time!
Mittelalterlicher Adventmarkt 2023
Thu. 30th Nov — Sun. 03rd Dec
Recommended if you like:
events when you get to take your sword to, wearing a Knights costume or a lot of leather, Punsch and Glühwein, very unique experiences
The Heeresgeschichtliches Museum Wien (Military Museum) is playing host to one of the coolest Christmas markets happening in Vienna. A 4-day medieval-themed Christmas market stands far apart from the other markets in this list. There are little stalls selling metalwork and woodwork creations made by the stand owners (who tend to really take the Medieval thing seriously, dressing up like they’ve just landed in 2023 from that era), while there are all kinds of live music, jugglers and jesters, market criers, fencing duals and other shows to entertain the crowds. Then there’s the food inspired from Medieval times being prepared and served up. Another distinguishing factor is the delicious winter Punsch, Glühwein (mulled wine) and other hot drinks to warm you up, that are made fresh by the stand owners, as opposed to being mass produced like the Punsch at many of the other markets.
Get edel stuff at Edelstoff!
Edelstoff – Markt für junges Design: X-mas Edition
Sat. 02nd Dec — Sun. 03rd Dec
Recommended if you like:
designer fairs, Christmas gifts, young designers, finding something different for someone else or for yourself, new ways to celebrate Christmas, buying presents for yourself, saying ‘peace on earth and good will to men’ a lot
You’re sure to win the award for giving the coolest gifts for Christmas if you shop at this Christmas version of the designer market, Edelstoff. And we all know Christmas is about winning the award for giving the coolest gifts. It’s also a known fact that Santa rewards those who support young designers. So if you also want to get yourself a bunch of Christmas presents – from fashion to jewellery and graphic design masterpieces – spend some time at this funky market.
Get in the Christmas mood and get scared at the same time!
Witness an ancient tradition @ the Perchten Parade
Sun. 03rd Dec
5pm
Free!
Recommended if you like:
wearing fur and horns, being devilish, runs where you don’t actually have to run, scaring the kids, harking back to your childhood to get in the Christmas mood, doing something a little different on a Sunday, dressing up in costumes, ancient traditions still being practiced
Marching in ghoulish fashion at the beginning of December are the Perchten. They wear hand-carved scary masks, shaggy fur, and heavy bells to scare away winter.
These creatures are usually a pretty frightful sight, but this Sunday, you can brave a ‘family-friendly’ Perchten parade at Prater.
Roam the Wien Museum's hall till midnight!
Wien Museum Opening
Wed. 06th Dec
8pm
Recommended if you like:
whispering ‘that’s so Vienna’ at every exhibit, imagining yourself in a period drama, free museum entries, seeing what’s new in town
After being closed for a while, the Wien Museum reopens on December 6. Following an official opening (with the Mayor and all), everyone is free to enter and roam the halls from 8pm till midnight. Check out the revamped space and the free ‘Vienna. My History’ exhibit.
Get the blues for the Blues
Blues Fever Festival 2023
varies, check out website!
Thu. 07th Dec — Sun. 10th Dec
Recommended if you like:
dancing, singing, blues, learning something new, watching seriously talented dancers do their thing, partying in a different way
With 10 amazing teachers, 5 parties and 7 live bands the name ‘Blues Fever’ is more than justified. A weekend full of social dancing, high-level classes, panel talks about the Blues, master classes AND competitions. So if you get the blues for the Blues, then this one is for you!
A film festival with a unique focus: Human Rights
This Human World Film Festival 2023
multiple locations, check out website!
Thu. 30th Nov — Sat. 10th Dec
9€
Recommended if you like:
trying to understand issues bigger than you, being an active and responsible world citizen, being a film fanatic, watching documentaries
This is Vienna’s 2nd largest film festival that comes with plenty of powerful messages in powerful films that will have you thinking about the big wide world.
In 11 days, This Human World plays various documentaries and fictional feature films, short films, animations, and experimental films, all revolving around the theme of human rights issues.
This festival puts into the spotlight the films that aim to encourage people to scrutinize and re-examine their views and raise awareness about the situations where human rights are being violated. Don’t keep going on about how the world’s turning to shit on your IG feed – get educated at this fascinating festival. And check out our film recommendations here.
Tis' the season of Glühwein and kissing when your nose is dripping
Go to a Christmas market!
Fri. 08th Nov — Mon. 06th Jan
free!
Recommended if you like:
the smell of gingerbread cookies, waking up with gifts waiting for you, being jolly, celebrating christmukkah, overcoming the cold by drinking hard spirits hidden in tea, Glühwein, meeting friends at Christmas markets
Tis’ the season, and in Vienna this many people’s favourite season simply thanks to those charming Christmas markets! A wonderful vibe spreads around town as markets bloom all over Vienna, and the smell of cinnamon, mulled wine, and sweet desserts fill the air. Be sure to get some Beeren Punsch in, get in the spirit, and enjoy every chance this season to get drunk at the market. If you need a cheat-sheet check the list of our favourite Christmas markets.
And just in case, here’s a reminder of this year’s Christmas market dates in Vienna:
Schönbrunn Christmas Market: November 8, 2024 – January 6, 2025.
Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt: November 15 – December 26, 2024.
Spittelberg Christmas Market: November 16 – December 23, 2024.
Winter Market at the Prater: November 16, 2024 – January 6, 2025.
Am Hof Christmas Market: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Weihnachtsdorf Schloss Belvedere: November 15 – December 26, 2024.
Adventmarkt am Karlsplatz: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Winter im MuseumsQuartier: November 7 – December 23, 2024.
Haas & Haas Winter in the City: November 8 – December 31, 2024.
What's greater than a good old skate?
Go Ice Skating!
various locations in Vienna
Thu. 01st Feb — Thu. 29th Feb
varies
Recommended if you like:
working on the ice skating tricks you’ve always wanted to be able to do, the feeling of sliding around, doing sports and fresh air, outside activities during winter, activities where you can hold hands with someone
We definitely think it’s time for you to get back out there even though it is winter and cold. Fresh air and movement will have your endorphins flowing and put you in a happy glow-y mood. Who doesn’t want that? Go get your friends, family, maybe even a date or take yourself and put those fancy skates on your desperate feet. You will thank us later. Oh… and not to forget there are multiple ice rinks here in Vienna such as Wiener Eislauf-Verein, Kunsteisbahn Engelmann, Steffl Arena or Eisring Süd.
Pack some Glühwein and take a tour of the city's festive lights!
Go on a tour of the city’s Christmas lights
Fri. 01st Dec — Sun. 31st Dec
Recommended if you like:
Getting all excited for the Christmas period, warming your hands up with some hot Maroni, kissing somebody underneath every single Christmas light, skipping up the Graben boulevard singing ‘All I want for Christmas…’
The city has dressed itself up in the spirit of Christmas with a shit ton of glittering lights. Woohoo!
Especially in the city centre, Christmas lights have been draped overhead across streets. Plus, the stores and restaurants have gone to the effort to bring a smile to our faces by decorating their facades.
So, one night this month – heat up and pack yourself some Glühwein, or homemade Punsch, dress up warm and go through an enchanting walk throughout the first district, enjoying all the glitter and bling that Christmas in Vienna brings.
Sounds of music under the dome
Go to a concert in one of the beautiful churches
Various churches in Vienna
Fri. 01st Dec — Sun. 31st Dec
Recommended if you like:
choral music that gives you goosebumps, finding hidden gems in your district, knowing the lyrics by heart and (almost!) singing along
If you’re less of a ‘let’s go clubbing’ kinda person and more of a ‘that choir sounds heavenly’ sort of person, then you’re in for a treat with the concerts and performances happening in Vienna’s stunning churches. Both professional and amateur groups have been busy practicing all autumn to bring you their Christmas concerts.
Here are you can check out the dates for free concerts and masses in Peterskirche.
But really, just choose any church in your district, and you’re likely to stumble upon some sort of a Christmas performance.
Dress up warm and get out there into nature!
Escape into the silence of nature and go for a winter hike
Fri. 01st Dec — Sun. 31st Dec
Recommended if you like:
any opportunity to wear all of that expensive hiking gear you bought, breathing in some good ol’ fresh air talking to trees, the sound of a running stream, doing a squat pee in the woods
‘It’s good for your soul, it’ll broaden your horizon, and you’ll connect with nature…’- sound like your super enthusiastic outdoorsy friend? Well, we’re about to sound a lot like them, as well. Yes, climbing up and down hills during crazy cold temperatures is somehow pleasurable for many, and when they tell you it’s the perfect escape from your worries and woes – they ain’t lying.
Hiking and Austria go together like hot chocolate and winter, which you can reward yourself with once you’ve completed your trail! Check out our list of nature walks to find out where you can start your new weekend activity all by your lonesome. Oh! And make sure to get yourself a Wanderpass! This way you can gamify your hikes.
No Christmas is complete without cookies
Put on your cute lil’ bakers hat and get those Christmas cookies baking
Fri. 01st Dec — Sun. 31st Dec
Recommended if you like:
making things yourself, having a sweet tooth, getting baked while baking, not buying any Christmas presents this year because you just gift everyone your homemade cookies, thinking that the dough is actually more delicious than the finished cookie so you just eat it raw without putting it in the oven
What would Christmas time be without some delicious cookies, right?
Sure, you could simply buy them from the nearest supermarket, but let’s be honest, where’s the fun in that?
So we’re suggesting you go ahead and make some of your own Christmas cookie classics!
It just so happens we have put together a collection of seven fantastic Austrian Christmas cookie recipes coming from a real Oma. And everyone knows, Oma’s recipes are the best!
Let it snow! (please!)
Have fun in the snow, if there is any…
Fri. 01st Dec — Sun. 31st Dec
free!
Recommended if you like:
going numb in your bum, ice skating, skiing, any kind of sport in the snow, how you look in a ski suit, days in the mountains
Let’s all say it together: Dear weather gods, be good to us and let it snow!
Even though this ancient spell has worked for years, in this city, we can never be sure how long the white fluffy wonder will last when it comes down from the sky (approximately three hours).
So, our advice – If you see snow, drop everything and run outside for some of that fantastic winter wonderland fun.
Get out there and behave like a kid.
Bring out that woolly jumper!
Rearrange your wardrobe to winter mode, and bring out that wooly jumper!
Fri. 01st Nov — Tue. 31st Dec
when it's cold enough!
Recommended if you like:
Winter, jumpers, ugly jumpers, feeling all warm and cosy, not being cold because your favourite jumper is keeping you warm
We might not necessarily be fond of the cold, but we do love our reindeer-motifed, wooly jumpers, our comfy thick socks and hats and our knitted underwear (yes, we knitted them ourselves ;-).
While rearranging your closet sounds boring, it can actually be quite fun and meditative. Put on one of your best playlists and dive into your wardrobe.
Slip and slide into 2024!
Celebrate the end of the year!
Sun. 31st Dec — Mon. 01st Jan
Recommended if you like:
making New Year’s resolutions you’ll never keep, fireworks, feeling inspired until you wake up with the biggest hang over since last year, making ‘last year’ jokes
Wow, 2023 flew by. Just like last year. And the year before… Well! Whatever. Time isn’t real anyways. But what definitely is real is the pressure of doing something spectacular for New Year’s! But don’t worry, we got your back! Check out our guide to cool New Year’s Eve parties or our list of things to do on if you’re not a party person.
Be sure to get your daily dose of culture!
All the best culture and art events happening in Vienna right NOW
Various locations in Vienna, check out our guide!
Recommended if you like:
tilting your head slightly in front of a painting and putting your pensive face on, wearing odd socks, strolling through galleries and museums on rainy days, getting inspired by the great and the up-coming greats, being a creative, seeing how people interpret our crazy world through art.
With so many culture events taking place – be it exhibitions in museums, powerful plays on theatre stages, art shows that scratch that inspiration itch – getting your daily dose of culture in Vienna is easy-peasy. That is, if you have our awesome art and culture guide, which tells you all about the best events happening in Vienna right NOW (or soon-ish). If you think we’re missing any important ongoing culture events, drop us a message Instagram, or the good old, oldschool way, via mail.