{"id":222,"date":"2015-08-19T23:02:23","date_gmt":"2015-08-19T22:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=222"},"modified":"2026-03-10T08:48:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T07:48:04","slug":"rathausplatz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/rathausplatz\/","title":{"rendered":"Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022small.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022small.jpg\" alt=\"Market view at night\" class=\"wp-image-53868\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022small.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022small-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Austria has plenty of Christmas markets. But the most famous is on Vienna&#8217;s Rathausplatz: the square in front of the town hall. This Christkindlmarkt is the centrepiece of the Viennese Christmas experience&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vienna&#8217;s main Christmas market<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expect around 96 booths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adjacent park has advent displays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8230;including the <em>Tree of Hearts<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasis on sustainability &amp; kids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2026 dates: Nov 13 &#8211; Dec 26<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ice skating typically continues longer<\/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\/sights\/rathaus-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"267\">City Hall<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/theaters\/burgtheater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"85\">Burgtheater<\/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\/accommodation\/hotels-christmas-markets\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3962\">Tips for nearby hotels<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/christmas-markets\/\">Christmas markets in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/december\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18508\">What to do in December<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Christmas Tradition<\/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\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance arch to the Christkindlmarkt\" class=\"wp-image-53864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022-300x225.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 giant entrance arch and carousel with the Rathaus tower on the left and a sneaky glimpse of the tree of hearts on the right)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Christmas market that garners the most attention in Vienna (and around the world) is the version on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/rathaus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"79\">Rathausplatz square<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the home of the <em>Wiener Christkindlmarkt<\/em>: the one people mean when they talk about the Christmas market in Vienna, even if we have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/christmas-markets\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1680\">lots of others<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The roots of this yuletide event go back to the late 18th century, though it only moved to its present location in 1975. Who knows how many visitors the market normally attracts, but I&#8217;ve seen past estimates as high as 2.8 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Christkindlmarkt<\/h3>\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\/2015\/08\/christkindlmarkt2022a.jpg\" alt=\"View of the Christkindlmarkt with the Rathaus behind\" class=\"wp-image-53866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/christkindlmarkt2022a.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/christkindlmarkt2022a-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 market, Rathaus, and giant tree)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All lit up with the partly-illuminated Rathaus city hall behind it, the market makes quite a sight: a kind of fairytale vista that looks exactly as it should. The Christkindlmarkt has blossomed afresh in recent years, largely thanks to an improved layout and decorative ambience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the culinary front, you always find traditional regional and seasonal cuisine with various places selling everything from Buchteln to Baumkuchen, pastries to (oven) potatoes, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/wiener-schnitzel\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"45\">Schnitzel<\/a> to Schinkenfleckerl (a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/christmas-market-glossary\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7193\">glossary might help<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;re never more than a short throw of a sausage away from, well, another sausage. Or from somewhere offering mugs of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/weihnachtspunsch-christmas-punch\/\">Christmas punch<\/a> or bags of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/roastchestnuts\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"63\">roast chestnuts<\/a>.<\/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=\"exp206741,exp205287\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_Christmas\"><\/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>Gastronomy at the market also focuses on organic food: look for the word <em>Bio<\/em> on menu boards, which means organic in German.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The non-food front makes for quite an eclectic mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Numerous art and craft stalls offer decorations, but also textiles, accessories, ceramics, jewelry, Christmas jumpers, and other items of a less adventurous nature. Anecdotally, I&#8217;d say the wares have gone up in quality over the last year or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/spittelberg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"229\">Spittelberg<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/karlsplatz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"219\">Karlsplatz<\/a> markets, though, for locations with a stronger focus on artisan and unusual offerings.<\/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\/christkindlmarktmerry.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas merry-go-round\" class=\"wp-image-53865\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarktmerry.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarktmerry-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\">(A giant merry-go-round has appeared in recent years)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The tree &amp; other bonuses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/rathaus-christmas-tree\/\">Rathaus Christmas tree<\/a> dominates the market panorama and has a large nativity scene at its feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, a different Austrian province gifts the giant tree to Vienna in a traditional gesture of friendship (possibly through gritted teeth, depending on the current state of domestic politics).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might also come across musical entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2025, for example, brass bands played in the evenings at the tree from November 28th to December 23rd, while choirs performed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays of advent weekends inside the main hall of the neighbouring Rathaus (from 3.30pm to 7pm with free entry).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A giant carousel also returned to dominate the entrance area again last time out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rathauspark<\/h4>\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\/05\/rathauschristmasmarket2023.jpg\" alt=\"LED Christmas trees leading into a park\" class=\"wp-image-71536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rathauschristmasmarket2023.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rathauschristmasmarket2023-300x225.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\">(A lighted entrance to the park)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Rathausplatz also offers more than just the market, because the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathauspark\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"84216\">surrounding park<\/a> has other Christmas treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, though the market itself delights with its mix of traditional Christmas tastes, sights, and smells, make sure you also wander off along the paths among the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wooded glades either side of the square feature a fair few seasonal highlights. These usually include a nativity scene trail and ferris wheel. And various gastronomy stands&#8230;so you can enjoy a snack or mug of punch away from the full market bustle.<\/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\/2025\/11\/rathausmugschristmas.jpg\" alt=\"Two Christmas mugs\" class=\"wp-image-87131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rathausmugschristmas.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rathausmugschristmas-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\">(We always enjoy a mug of punch: photo taken with a design from an earlier market)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The decorations and lights turn parts into a romantic wonderland (if you ignore the people and phones). And the romance goes all the way up to 11 with the now traditional <em>Tree of Hearts<\/em>, which I can never seem to photograph adequately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boughs full of giant lighted hearts make a fine background when sharing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/romantic-dinners\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"46819\">snack with a loved one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bit kitschig and twee?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, frankly, this is the time of the year when you suspend your cynicism, embrace the seasonal spirit, and forget your troubles with something made of pastry and lathered in enough chocolate to float a cow.<\/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\/rathausparkdecorations.jpg\" alt=\"Decorative lights in the Rathauspark\" class=\"wp-image-53872\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rathausparkdecorations.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/rathausparkdecorations-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\">(Decorative lights in front of the tree of hearts)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another traditional highlight in the park is the illuminated ice skating (you can hire skates on site), which lets you glide through the park and transports you along a Disneyesque Christmas trail, albeit with considerably more snacks and less fairy glitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ice skating generally stays open for a few more days after the market itself has ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for visitors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Christkindlmarkt&#8217;s organisers once declared the location an area of respite from commercial Christmas stress. But don&#8217;t imagine this implies you can take a gentle stroll around the stalls. At peak times, the place gets remarkably busy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having said that, recent markets have followed a more open layout, which makes for a better visit. Last year&#8217;s version, for example, was notably spacious compared to previous events.<\/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\/05\/rathausferriswheel.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas Ferris wheel\" class=\"wp-image-46081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/rathausferriswheel.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/rathausferriswheel-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 Ferris wheel in the park)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/tips\/\">best time to go<\/a> is (inevitably) after dark, when the lights and sights combine to give the true Christmas market experience you read about in leather-bound tomes of travel. Just be prepared to share that experience with quite a lot of other folk, especially at weekends as you near December 24th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong option, then, is to go late afternoon, just before the peak crowds and leaving time for an evening <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/christmas-concert-listings\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6330\">advent concert<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tip: If you want a good twilight photo without actually entering the market, stand at the top of the steps leading up to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/theaters\/burgtheater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"85\">Burgtheater<\/a> theatre building on the other side of the road. Look across for a great view of the lighted entrance arch, illuminated booths and Rathaus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 dates and times<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2026 market runs from November 13th through to December 26th. Opening times are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>10am to 10pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8230;but the market closes at 6.30pm on December 24th<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to the Christkindlmarkt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Public transport gets you to the market easily, though it&#8217;s within walking distance of most of the centre. Even closer if you stay in one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/accommodation\/hotels-christmas-markets\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3962\">nearby hotels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trams 1, 71 and D stop right outside at Rathausplatz \/ Burgtheater. That stop commonly closes at busy times for safety reasons. At the last market, this meant, for example, from 3pm to 10.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until December 21st and also on December 8th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, those trams mentioned above take you to adjoining stops at Parlament and Schottentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatives requiring a short stroll are&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tram: take lines 2 (get out at the Rathaus or Parlament stops), 49 and 46 (both to Ring\/Volkstheater), 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 (all to Schottentor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway: take the U3 (get out at Volkstheater) or U2 (get out at Rathaus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bus: take the 1a (get out at Schottentor) or 48a (to Ring\/Volkstheater).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.christkindlmarkt.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>Austria has plenty of Christmas markets. But the most famous is on Vienna&#8217;s Rathausplatz: the square in front of the town hall. This Christkindlmarkt is the centrepiece of the Viennese Christmas experience&#8230; A Christmas Tradition (The giant entrance arch and carousel with the Rathaus tower on the left and a sneaky glimpse of the tree [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53868,"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-222","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\/222","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=222"}],"version-history":[{"count":85,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89212,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222\/revisions\/89212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}