{"id":884,"date":"2015-12-11T10:35:31","date_gmt":"2015-12-11T09:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=884"},"modified":"2026-01-07T14:12:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T13:12:34","slug":"christmas-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmas-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas lights: where to see them"},"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\/2015\/12\/lights_thumb.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas lights near the Graben\" class=\"wp-image-6976\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/lights_thumb.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/lights_thumb-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Since the city has a certain image to maintain, Vienna&#8217;s Christmas lights tend not to feature too many dancing Santas or reindeer with biologically-inaccurate red noses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expect crystalline chains and central European understatement in 2026&#8230;with thousands of LEDs thrown in for effect. The result fits the historical ambience rather nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The main lights always start mid\/late November<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8230;and come down early\/mid January<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Awaiting start date for 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2025 displays started Nov 21st<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stylish displays with a classic, timeless feel<\/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 Advent trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/christmas-in-vienna\/\">Christmas in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/christmas-markets\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1680\">The Christmas markets<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are my top recommendations for experiencing the usual annual displays; see also the map at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. The city centre lights<\/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\/06\/kohlmarktlights.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas lights on Kohlmarkt\" class=\"wp-image-48393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/kohlmarktlights.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/kohlmarktlights-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\">(My phone struggles with night shots, but this is Kohlmarkt in the early evening)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pedestrianised zones in the very centre of town typically sparkle with the glitter of a gazillion LED lamps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stroll beneath giant chandeliers or shimmering cascades of light, pausing only for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/roastchestnuts\/\">roast chestnut<\/a> or three (or a mug of Gl\u00fchwein).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/michaelerplatz-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"27254\">Michaelerplatz<\/a> and the gorgeous fa\u00e7ade of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2708\">Hofburg palace area<\/a>. Then stroll down Kohlmarkt beneath sheets of white lights to reach the Graben.<\/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\/grabenlights.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas lights on the Graben\" class=\"wp-image-43770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/grabenlights.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/grabenlights-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\">(Lights on the Graben)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a right turn and walk along the Graben beneath around 250,000 LEDs. They installed brand new lights a couple of years ago, but the installations continued the motif used in previous years (giant chandeliers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The display creates a suitably ballroom-like atmosphere for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/new-years-eve\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6832\">New Year&#8217;s Eve<\/a>, when open-air waltz lessons typically take place on the street as apart of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/silvesterpfad\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7218\">Silvesterpfad festivities<\/a>.<\/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\/2024\/11\/stephansplatzchristmasmarket2024.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas market stalls in front of a cathedral\" class=\"wp-image-77452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/stephansplatzchristmasmarket2024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/stephansplatzchristmasmarket2024-300x225.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 Stephansplatz market)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Graben emerges onto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stephansplatz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"83491\">Stephansplatz square<\/a>, where you look across to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stefansdom\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"294\">Stephansdom cathedral<\/a> and the surrounding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/stephansplatz-christmas-market\/\">Christmas market<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can slip up past Stephansdom to Rotenturmstrasse where a change of colour (to red) and style (more modern) awaits.<\/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\/kaerntnerstrasselights.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas lights on K\u00e4rtnerstra\u00dfe\" class=\"wp-image-48392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/kaerntnerstrasselights.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/kaerntnerstrasselights-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 K\u00e4rntner Stra\u00dfe displays)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively (or afterwards), turn right at the junction of the Graben and Stephansplatz onto K\u00e4rntner Stra\u00dfe, which leads down to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/opera\/staatsoper\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1071\">opera house<\/a>. Around 550,000 LEDs and 48km of crystals create the hanging chains of light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wherever you are in the pedestrianised area, be sure to check shopfronts and side streets for more lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The city center always has over a dozen streets and areas decorated with formal light displays: all financed by local stores with strong support from the city and chamber of commerce.<\/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<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The Rathauspark<\/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\/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\">(The entrance to the park with a ferris wheel in the background)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re going to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/rathausplatz\/\">Christkindlmarkt<\/a> (Vienna&#8217;s flagship Christmas market) at the Rathaus, explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathauspark\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"84216\">surrounding park<\/a> on either side of the market itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover illuminated trails, light displays in the trees, and much more. You might bump into a carousel or a nativity scene. Look for the giant glowing balls on the ground, too.<\/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\">(Some of the park displays with the tree of hearts in the background)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lights can veer away from genteel historicism into something bordering on kitsch. But, heh, it&#8217;s Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tree full of glowing red hearts is probably the local favourite: ideal for couples wishing to get a photo with a romantic backdrop.<\/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\/treeofhearts.jpg\" alt=\"Tree full of glowing hearts\" class=\"wp-image-46084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/treeofhearts.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/treeofhearts-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\">(I can never get a photo that does the tree justice. Believe me, I&#8217;ve tried)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. The Ring lights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A walk after sundown around the southern and western side of the giant and central <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/ring\/\">Ring boulevard<\/a> takes you past a couple of Christmas markets, plus many big luxury hotels. The road itself sometimes has a few lighted areas, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They downscaled this stretch of lights in the last couple of years, though, with fewer displays. Various roadside buildings have also reduced their efforts significantly to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints.<\/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\/ringturmchristmas.jpg\" alt=\"Ringturm Christmas tree lights\" class=\"wp-image-47190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ringturmchristmas.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ringturmchristmas-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 Ringturm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a bit away from the markets and main lighted areas, but the northern point of the Ring does have its own special offering: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/ringturm-ring-tower\/\">Ringturm office block<\/a> (opposite Schottenring subway station).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This tower typically features a giant Christmas tree all up one side and snowflakes cascading down its face. In 2025, the display switched on between 6am and 8am and again from 4pm to 11pm during advent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternative to walking the Ring, of course, is is to take a tram after dusk (especially the number 2 or number 1 services, which cover big chunks of the Ring route). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonus suggestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more low key, but truly awe-inspiring display, stand on the south side of the lake at Belvedere Palace at dusk and look across to the Christmas market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I say awe-inspiring, I mean it. More info (and a photo) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/belvedere\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1lhmxoTcIijLRa-j4S39Eg6FN-VI\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since the city has a certain image to maintain, Vienna&#8217;s Christmas lights tend not to feature too many dancing Santas or reindeer with biologically-inaccurate red noses. Expect crystalline chains and central European understatement in 2026&#8230;with thousands of LEDs thrown in for effect. The result fits the historical ambience rather nicely. Here are my top recommendations [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6976,"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":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-884","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sights","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884","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=884"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88003,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/884\/revisions\/88003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}