Graz Christmas Market
4th week Nov - Dec 24
Advent in Graz is renowned for its amazing ice sculptures of the nativity, displayed in the courtyard of the ancient Landhaushof. Another extraordinary Christmas decoration is the huge lit-up advent calendar, projected daily after dark on the front of the city's town hall. There are several old fashioned Christmas Advent markets held throughout the town, with illuminations, arts and crafts, choirs, brass bands and other events.
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Innsbruck Christmas Market
| | 4th week Nov - Dec 24 |
Large Tyrolean market amongst the finest buildings of the Old City, grouped around a giant illuminated Christmas tree. Sample local cheeses, ham and drinks, chocolate dipped fruits. Find local wooden and glass crafts, Tyrolean toys and costumes. Shops in town are open till late, look out for large selections of Christmas decorations and candles, Swarovski Crystal, antiques, clocks, jewellery. Snow-covered mountain views from the Christmas market, daily musical entertainment provided by Tyrolean brass players.
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Klagenfurt Christmas Market
| | On Neuer Platz, 4th week Nov - Dec 24 |
This Christmas market attracts large crowds as shoppers come from all over Carinthia and from nearby countries Italy and Slovenia. The many traditionally decked stalls offer handmade Christmas tree ornaments, candles, toys, etc. Musical entertainment includes gospel songs and Christmas music. For foodies there are are Advent cakes, mulled wine, filling Austrian snacks, freshly baked biscuits and gingerbread. Stroll around beautifully decorated and illuminated shopping streets, if you're lucky there will be some real snow. After Christmas, the town and market carry on celebrating the New Year's Eve Carnival, when locals and holidaymakers celebrate the new year.
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Salzburg Christmas Markets
| | 4th week Nov - Dec 24 |
Cathedral Square - Romantic market of around 85 stalls. Magnificently located next to Salzburg's Gothic Cathedral in the old city. Watch musical performers, choirs and street plays. On sale are hand made wooden toys, jewellery, candles, painted glassware, pewter, sheepskins etc. Food and drink include roast almonds and chestnuts, mulled wine and punch, gingerbread hearts, sweets.
Mirabell Square - Christmas Market in front of Mirabell Castle. This market's speciality is music performed by horn ensembles and male voice choirs.
Hellbrunn - The Christmas Market south of Salzburg at the lovely Hellbrunn Palace holds crafts exhibitions. Products are made of silver, porcelain, ceramics, wool, flowers and much more. Look out for the reindeer and the trick fountains.
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Vienna Christmas Markets
| | Last week Nov - Dec 24 |
Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt - Vienna's classic Christmas Market in front of the City Hall has some 140 stalls amongst stunningly decorated trees and is visited by 3 million shoppers each year. There are wonderful Christmas choral performances are held every weekend in December, in the Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall.
Schönbrunn Castle - Idyllic Christmas village with beautiful backdrop. Mulled wine, ginger bread, roast chestnuts (Maroni), stollen (spiced Christmas bread). Daily festive concerts.
Spittelberg - Authentic Christmas market in lovely historical quarter. Traditional handicrafts a speciality.
New Year's Eve in Vienna - New Year strikes first with the famous Pummerin, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral clock. Open air parties, waltzing and celebrations take place in the many clubs and pubs. Kaiserball dinner and waltzes at the magnificent halls of the Hofburg.
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