The main Vienna Christmas market on Rathausplatz opens on 13 November 2026 and runs until 26 December, and by then a dozen more markets will have set up across the city, from the palace courtyards at Schönbrunn and Belvedere to the narrow lanes of Spittelberg. Most are free to enter, open every day and easy to reach by U-Bahn or tram.
Here are the 2026 dates and hours published by the Vienna Tourist Board, which markets suit which kind of visit, what to eat and drink, and where to leave your luggage on arrival or departure day.
Vienna Christmas market 2026 dates and hours
| Market | 2026 dates | Hours | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz | 13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 | Daily 10:00–22:00, 24 Dec 10:00–18:30 | Free |
| Schönbrunn Palace | 6 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 | Daily 10:00–21:00, 24 Dec 10:00–16:00, 25 Dec–6 Jan 10:00–19:00 | Free |
| Belvedere Palace | 20 Nov – 31 Dec 2026 | Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00–21:00 | Free |
| Spittelberg | 13 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 | Mon–Fri 14:00–21:30, Sat, Sun and holidays 11:00–21:30 | Free |
| Art Advent, Karlsplatz | 13 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 | Daily 12:00–20:00 (food until 21:00) | Free |
| Altwiener Christkindlmarkt, Freyung | 14 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 | Daily 10:00–21:00 | Free |
| Am Hof | 13 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 | Mon–Thu 11:00–21:00, Fri–Sun and holidays 10:00–21:00 | Free |
| Stephansplatz | 6 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 | Daily 11:00–21:00, 24 Dec 11:00–16:00 | Free |
| Maria-Theresien-Platz | 20 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 | Mon–Fri 11:00–16:00, Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00–21:00 | Free |
| Wintermarkt, Riesenradplatz (Prater) | 20 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027 | Mon–Fri 12:00–22:00, Sat, Sun and holidays 11:00–22:00 | Free |
Rathausplatz, the main Vienna Christmas market
The Wiener Christkindlmarkt in front of the neo-Gothic City Hall is the one most people picture. Rows of stalls sell ornaments, candles, sweets and punch in collectable mugs, and the park beside the square is strung with lights. From 13 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 the Eistraum ice rink runs alongside the market (closed on 31 December), so you can skate between two cups of punch.
It gets very busy on weekend evenings. Come on a weekday before 17:00 if you want to walk around without queuing at every stall. The nearest stops are Rathaus (U2) and the Rathausplatz/Burgtheater tram stop on the Ring.
Other markets worth your time
Schönbrunn Palace
The market in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace opens first, on 6 November 2026, and stays until 6 January 2027. It’s a good pick if you’re visiting the palace anyway, and it stays open after Christmas when Rathausplatz has closed. Take the U4 to Schönbrunn.
Belvedere Palace
The K&K Christmas market sits in front of the Upper Belvedere, with the palace reflected in the pond behind the stalls. It’s smaller than Rathausplatz and runs from 20 November to 31 December 2026.
Spittelberg
Locals tend to prefer Spittelberg, a few cobbled lanes behind the MuseumsQuartier filled with craft stalls and small bars. On weekdays it only opens at 14:00, so plan an afternoon or evening visit.
Karlsplatz, Freyung and Am Hof
Art Advent at Karlsplatz, in front of the Karlskirche, focuses on handmade crafts and organic food. The Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung and the market Am Hof are both a short walk from each other in the 1st District, and both close on 23 December.
Food and drink at a Vienna Christmas market
Punsch is the local favourite. It’s a hot fruit punch, often with rum, and each market serves it in its own mug. You pay a deposit for the mug and get it back when you return it, or you keep the mug as a souvenir. Glühwein is everywhere too. For food, look for Maroni (roasted chestnuts), Bratkartoffeln, Langos, Kaiserschmarrn and Kiachl, a fried dough filled with sauerkraut or jam. Many stalls take cards now, but smaller ones may still be cash only, so carry some euros.
Getting there and getting around
Vienna’s public transport is the easiest way to hop between markets. Rathausplatz, Freyung, Am Hof, Stephansplatz and Maria-Theresien-Platz are all within a 20 minute walk of each other inside the Ring. Spittelberg is just outside it, Karlsplatz and Belvedere are a few stops south, and Schönbrunn is on the U4 line. Trains from the airport and from other cities arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof, which is on the U1 to Stephansplatz.
For the latest updates, the Vienna Tourist Board’s market list is the official source.
Luggage storage near the Vienna Christmas market
If you arrive in the morning and can’t check in until the afternoon, or you have a few hours before your train, Radical Storage lets you drop your bags at a local shop or hotel close to the markets. Bookings include protection up to €10,000 per bag and free cancellation, and travellers rate the service 4.8/5.
- Luggage storage near Rathausplatz
- Luggage storage near Stephansplatz
- Luggage storage near Schönbrunn Palace
Frequently asked questions
The main market on Rathausplatz runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026. Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz open earlier, on 6 November.
Schönbrunn Palace and the Wintermarkt at Riesenradplatz stay open until 6 January 2027, and Belvedere until 31 December 2026.
Yes. All the main markets are free to enter. You only pay for food, drinks, gifts and activities like the ice rink.
Punch and mulled wine are served in reusable mugs. You get the deposit back when you return the mug, or you can keep it.
Spittelberg on a weekday afternoon and Belvedere are usually calmer than Rathausplatz.
Radical Storage has partner locations near Rathausplatz, Stephansplatz and Schönbrunn. Book online, bags are protected up to €10,000 each and cancellation is free.