{"id":219,"date":"2015-08-19T22:46:47","date_gmt":"2015-08-19T21:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=219"},"modified":"2026-03-10T08:45:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T07:45:26","slug":"karlsplatz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/karlsplatz\/","title":{"rendered":"Karlsplatz Christmas market"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/karlsplatz_small.jpg\" alt=\"Karlsplatz Xmas market, Vienna\" class=\"wp-image-8509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/karlsplatz_small.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/karlsplatz_small-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Lots of Christmas markets in Vienna have great settings. The Karlsplatz version, for example, nestles in front of the baroque Karlskirche church. The market&#8217;s formal title is <em>Art Advent<\/em>, which tells you where the emphasis lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Small-scale arts and crafts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Excellent for unique, high-quality gifts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organic food and drink<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good for kids, too<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expect around 80 booths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2026 dates: Nov 13 &#8211; Dec 23<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/concerts-opera-vienna-tickets-l206741\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_Xmas\" rel=\"sponsored\">classical concert experience<\/a>* for your Vienna trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nearby:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/vivaldi-concert-karlskirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74311\">Evening Vivaldi concerts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/christmas-markets\/\">Christmas markets<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/december\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18508\">December events<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The market<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karlsplatzchristmasmarket2024.jpg\" alt=\"View across a Christmas market with a church behind\" class=\"wp-image-77728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karlsplatzchristmasmarket2024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karlsplatzchristmasmarket2024-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(View over the market at a previous edition)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>divina art<\/em> arts and crafts association organises the advent market. Among the requirements for those wishing to run a stand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Products conceived, created and produced by the applicant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No traded goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The approval of a qualified jury<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This selection process ensures quality, but also far more originality and diversity than at any other Christmas market in Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The range of items available typically covers fine art, clothing, jewellery &amp; accessories, a few decorations, lots of ceramics, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of which sounds a little like most markets, but the booths on Karlsplatz tend to have a particular flair, quality and\/or uniqueness to them.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/karlsplatzxmasmarket2.jpg\" alt=\"Market stalls with church\" class=\"wp-image-53734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/karlsplatzxmasmarket2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/karlsplatzxmasmarket2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Dozens of stalls sell a greater range of arts and crafts than you find in other places)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You often find the artist or craftsperson at the stand, for example, perhaps even making new items as you watch and happy to discuss their craft and processes with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A generous sprinkling of food and drink booths also means you won&#8217;t miss your mug of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/weihnachtspunsch-christmas-punch\/\">Christmas punch<\/a> or mulled wine. And several covered areas with bar tables usually offer shelter should the weather turn nasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with the arts and crafts, the fare on sale also differs a little from the normal seasonal market offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"pro1119393,pro1029872\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_ChristmasNew\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything is organic (except where no organic alternatives are available for a particular foodstuff), and you won&#8217;t find all of the populist Christmas snacks here: I spotted no pretzels, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/langos\/\">langos<\/a> or chocolate-coated fruit on my 2025 visit, though I did unearth, for example, organic sausages, waffles, and roast chestnuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, instead of the usual, expect a more adventurous gastronomic selection drawn from Austrian and European tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last time out, booths offered such delights as Kiachl (a kind of flat doughnut), potato goulash, Blunzengr\u00f6stl (a dish involving blood sausage), buckwheat crepes, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/karlsplatzxmasmarket3.jpg\" alt=\"Raclette at a market\" class=\"wp-image-53735\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/karlsplatzxmasmarket3.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/karlsplatzxmasmarket3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Raclette makes a tasty snack. Smells delicious too)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I always enjoy, for example, a raclette: melted cheese on bread, which also leaves a glorious scent hanging in the air around the booth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The market follows a more open plan design than most others, with an area directly in front of the church typically reserved for children&#8217;s activities: piles of straw to muck about in, animals, craft workshops, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of this happens under an umbrella of sustainability, recycling, and a shared responsibility for this world. For example, one children&#8217;s carousel used discarded goods for seating on my visit and ran on pedal power.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/karlsplatzchristmas1.jpg\" alt=\"Sheep in straw\" class=\"wp-image-65834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/karlsplatzchristmas1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/karlsplatzchristmas1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Expect a few farm animals among the visitors)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider Art Advent a greener, more diverse variation on the traditional Christmas market experience. As such, you might best appreciate it in combination with a more conventional alternative, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/rathausplatz\/\">Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/schoenbrunn\/\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In summary, the Karlsplatz market is the Montmartre of the Viennese Christmas landscape and an excellent location if you&#8217;re seeking something high quality and unique gift-wise (we buy a lot of presents here).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The local area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The surrounds also have much to offer visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/karlsplatzxmasmarket.jpg\" alt=\"Karlsplatz Christmas market at night\" class=\"wp-image-44421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/karlsplatzxmasmarket.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/karlsplatzxmasmarket-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Karlskirche church makes a great backdrop)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider nipping into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/karlskirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"22144\">Karlskirche church<\/a> for a dose of baroque finery and perhaps an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/christmas-concert-listings\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6330\">Advent concert<\/a> after an early-evening browse of the market (the regular Vivaldi concerts receive high ratings: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/vivaldi-concert-karlskirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74311\">also from me<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, go up the church&#8217;s spiral staircase to get a lovely aerial view over the market from the panorama terrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The neighbouring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/wien-museum-karlsplatz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"66174\">Wien Museum<\/a> also offers a view of the market from its own terrace. Inside, you have a permanent exhibition (free) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/wien-museum-karlsplatz\/#special\">special exhibitions<\/a> (the big ones need a ticket).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For contemporary art, pop over the road for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina-modern\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"21859\">Albertina Modern<\/a> art museum in the gorgeous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/kuenstlerhaus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73350\">K\u00fcnstlerhaus<\/a> (which has its own exhibitions by the same-named artist association).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/karlsplatzpavillion2.jpg\" alt=\"Karlsplatz Pavilion full view\" class=\"wp-image-47431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/karlsplatzpavillion2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/karlsplatzpavillion2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(One of two Wagner pavilions close to the market)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep an eye out for the Otto Wagner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/otto-wagner-pavilion\/\">station pavilions<\/a>, as well, with their Jugendstil white, gold, and green designs. They offer a good view for nice photos across the market too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This area is also music territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brahms, for example, lived one street away and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/brahms-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32160\">his statue<\/a> guards the market. Vivaldi is buried on one side of the park (under the Technical University). The world&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/musikverein\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5593\">greatest (possibly) concert venue<\/a> is close by, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/strauss-museum\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"22944\">Johann Strauss Museum<\/a> a short walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 dates &amp; times<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2026 market lasts from November 13th to December 23rd with opening times of midday to 8pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to Art Advent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The market adjoins the Karlsplatz subway station, one of Vienna&#8217;s main transport hubs. Take the U1, U2 or U4 subway lines (look for the Resselpark exit and just follow the crowds).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Resselpark, Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna | <a href=\"https:\/\/divinaart.at\/\">Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1IV8M9-mH8kPwIX-r4le-2hv35XE\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lots of Christmas markets in Vienna have great settings. The Karlsplatz version, for example, nestles in front of the baroque Karlskirche church. The market&#8217;s formal title is Art Advent, which tells you where the emphasis lies. The market (View over the market at a previous edition) The divina art arts and crafts association organises the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-219","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-christmasmarkets","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89210,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219\/revisions\/89210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}