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CHRISTMAS

Vienna Christmas markets: The dates and locations for 2023

Although there's no shortage of Christmas offerings in Austria, no one does Christmas quite like the Viennese. Here's a guide to some of the best Christmas markets in the capital - and when you can start enjoying them in 2023.

Published: 14 November 2023 12:38 CET
Updated: 2 December 2023 08:04 CET
Vienna Christmas markets: The dates and locations for 2023
Vienna's City Hall Christmas market is opening this weekend (© stadt wien marketing_Johannes Wiedl)

Christmas is its own season in Vienna, which you can see clearly in the number of Christmas markets that appear already in November – before winter gets into full swing.

There’s also one for most tastes – whether you’re looking for a dazzling spectacle of lights and the widest possible array of food, Glühwein, and holiday wares – or favour a more understated ‘klein, aber fein’ (small but nice) vibe.

Those looking for the top of the line the Austrian capital has to offer at Christmas can check out the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, or the Christmas and New Year’s Market at Schönbrunn Palace. The Weinachstdorf am Maria-Theresien Platz also fits this bill beautifully.

READ ALSO: When do Austria’s famous Christmas markets open this year?

All three are huge and central, with the largest possible range of food and goods – both in variety and in price.

The Schönbrunn Palace market also hosts a number of live music performances, pairing the sounds of Christmas with glowing lights and steaming wine to give you the highest possible sensory stimulation.

Maria-Theresien Platz allows you to drink Glühwein and browse stalls under the watchful eye of the Empress’s statue – and continues as a New Year’s market even after Christmas, something that’s not the case for most markets in Vienna.

For those looking for something a little more intimate and cosy, the Christmas Market at Stephansplatz harks back to a more traditional festive season, with the Stephansdom’s Gothic architecture reflecting the soft hues of Christmas lights against a smaller collection of wooden stalls, selling more traditional products.

Similarly, the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung focuses more on arts and crafts. Every day, you can even catch a demonstration of traditional handicrafts. Meanwhile, all handicrafts sold at the Adventmarkt am Karlsplatz are made locally.

READ ALSO: Nine festive foods and drinks no Austrian Christmas is complete without

Those looking for particularly authentically charming feeling can visit one of the oldest Christmas markets in Austria – the Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg, set amongst the narrow houses and cobblestone streets of the Spittelberg neighbourhood. The focus here is for smaller vendors to get to show off and sell their authentic wares.

For something time-limited and quite different, try out the Medieval Christmas Market hosted by Vienna’s Military Museum at the end of November and beginning of December. The four-day market features everything from metalwork and wood carvings to hearty food and punch made fresh and directly onsite by the stall owners. You’ll also find jugglers and fencing duals onsite to entertain crowds. Entrance is even free for those dressed up in medieval costumes.

IN PICTURES: A guide to the main Christmas markets in Austria

Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz

Rathausplatz, 1010

November 10th – December 26th, 10:00 – 22:00 daily

(Christmas Eve, 10:00 – 18:30)

READ ALSO: How to celebrate Christmas like an Austrian

Weihnachtsdorf am Maria-Theresien Platz

Maria-Theresien Platz

November 15th to December 31st

11:00 to 21:00 Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 22:00 Fridays and Saturdays until December 23rd.

11:00 to 16:00 Christmas Eve

11:00 to 19:00 December 25th to 30th

11:00 to 18:00 New Year’s Eve

Christmas and New Year’s Market at Schönbrunn Palace 

Schloß Schönbrunn, 1130

November 18th to December 23rd, 10:00 – 21:00

Christmas Eve – 10:00 – 16:00

Christmas Day – January 4th, 10:00 -18:00

READ ALSO: Eight unmissable Christmas experiences in Austria

Christmas Market at Stephansplatz 

Stephansplatz, 1010

November 10th – December 26th, 11:00 – 21:00

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung 

Freyung, 1010

November 17th – December 23rd, 10:00 – 21:00

Adventmarkt am Karlsplatz

Karlsplatz

November 24th – December 23rd

12:00 – 20:00 Daily

READ ALSO: 12 things you only get once you’ve celebrated Christmas and New Year in Austria

Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg

Spittelberggasse

November 16th – December 23rd

14:00 – 21:00 Mondays-Thursdays

14:00 – 21:30 Fridays

10:00 – 21:30 Saturdays

10:00 – 21:00 Sundays and public holidays

Mittelalterlicher Adventmarkt

Heeresgeschictliches Museum

November 30th – December 3rd

13:00 – 22:00 Thursday

9:00 – 22:00 Friday to Sunday

READ ALSO: Five Christmas songs to improve your German language skills

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VIENNA

How do I lower my rent if I pay too much in Vienna?

If you live in an older building, a so called "Altbau", the price per square meter is regulated. If you are paying too much rent, there are ways to lower it and claim your money back.

Published: 24 April 2024 12:53 CEST
How do I lower my rent if I pay too much in Vienna?

Vienna is known for offering its residents affordable rents. However, if you live in one of the older apartments in Vienna (Altbau), you should know that there is a limit on how much rent can be charged per square meter.

Some landlords rent out their flats more expensively than they are actually allowed to. The City of Vienna’s rent calculator can help you determine if you are paying too much.

If you believe that your rent is too high, there are three different options on how to bring it down and also get the money back from the time when you paid too much.

Hire a company to take on your case

In Vienna, several companies, known as Prozessfinanzierer in German, will take on your case individually and try to reduce your rent. This could not only result in a lower rent for the future but also in you receiving a refund for the period you overpaid. It is even possible to pursue this after you leave your apartment. 

However, the City of Vienna has warned against using these services. If you are successful, the companies could claim a great portion of the refunded money, ranging from 30 percent to even half. MeinBezirk also reported occasions when employees of these companies have gone door to door, pretending to be city officials to secure contracts with excessively high commission payments.

Tenant protection organisations argue, as cited in Der Standard, that the companies may prioritise their profits over the best interests of tenants, negatively impacting tenant-landlord relationships.

However, these companies typically operate on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis, which means that you do not have to pay anything if the reduction attempt is unsuccessful. 

READ MORE: Gemeindebau: How do you qualify for a social housing flat in Vienna?

Get help from the Mietervereinigung

Another option is to get help from the Mietervereinigung. This is a tenants’ association that supports tenants’ rights and interests. A yearly membership costs around €69 in Vienna (it also operates in Austria’s other federal states).

Once you are a member, you can go to them for help. They will assist you with claiming back your rent if you have been overpaying, and can also help with rental problems such as mould, contracts, painting, disputes with landlords and housing standards. 

The association also offer education and information to help you understand your rights and responsibilities under landlord-tenant laws. This includes workshops and seminars about topics related to housing rights and regulations.

The association is also known for publishing guides, brochures, and online resources with practical tips for dealing with common rental issues.

The Mietervereinigung offers services and guidance for its members over the phone, online or through meetings in person. 

Altbau in Alsegrund, district 9 in Vienna. Photo by Melloo on Unsplash

Do it yourself

The third option you have as a tenant is to go to the arbitration board yourself.

The arbitration board is an independent entity established to help resolve conflicts between tenants and landlords outside of the court system. However, this can sometimes be complicated.

You often need certain legal expertise to be successful and the process can be complex and time consuming.

READ NEXT: How does urban gardening work in Vienna?

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