No sooner has November drawn a thick curtain of drizzle and fog across the heavens and the days become steadily shorter, then some places sink into a deep melancholy. But not Vienna. Here the weeks leading up to Christmas are romantic and idyllic. The city shimmers in a mild glow of candles while the sweet aromas of gingerbread, mulled wine and Christmas baking pervade the air. The streets and shops are festively decorated and Christmas markets enchant young and old alike. Year in, year out.

Advent brings out the romantic side of Vienna in an air of expectant anticipation of Christmas. Downtown, garlands of glistening lights span the sky above Kärntner Strasse, Graben and Kohlmarkt. Thousands of tiny lights make up the imaginative Christmas illuminations that transform the main shopping thoroughfares Mariahilfer Strasse and Rotenturmstrasse into a festive sea of light. Many shop fronts are decorated with pine branches and colorful silk ribbons while gentle Christmas music wafts through the shopping arcades and sweet fragrances tempt passers-by to the numerous stands selling hot punch.

Children who listen carefully might even hear the wings of a busy Christmas angel here or there, maybe at one of Vienna’s Christmas markets. These markets enchant young and old alike, bringing a sparkle to their eyes and a healthy red glow to their cheeks, whisking them off into a world of cinnamon aromas, shiny glass baubles, wooden rocking horses and the soft tinkling of bells.

The Magic of Advent transforms the park in front of City Hall into a festive fairy tale world. Vienna’s largest Christmas market has dozens of stands laden with beautiful gifts and mouthwatering delicacies. There are also delightful Christmas markets in the Biedermeier Spittelberg district, as well as in front of the Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere Palace, and on Maria-Theresien-Platz between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum.

Christmas markets in walking distance….

Vienna’s Christmas Market – The Magic of Advent in Vienna
Nov 17 – Dec 24, Sun – Thu: 10 am – 9.30 pm; Fri–Sat: 10 am – 10 pm; Dec 24: 10 am – 5 pm
Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna
www.christkindlmarkt.at
The Magic of Advent in Vienna enchants visitors with its romantic and nostalgic charm. Attractions included the glittering tree decorations in the adjacent Rathauspark and 150 stands laden with Christmas gifts, candies and punch. There is also a Christmas Workshop for the little ones.

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt
Nov 23 – Dec 23, 10 am – 9 pm daily
Freyung, 1010 Vienna
www.altwiener-markt.at
Each year the traditional Altwiener Christkindlmarkt Christmas fair awaits with attractive handcrafted pieces, glass decorations, cribs and ceramics on one of the first district’s prettiest squares.

Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz
Nov 21 – Dec 26, 11 am – 10 pm
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
The Christmas Village between the Museum of Fine Art and the Natural History Museum is the ideal place to spend time. The 64 stands are full of gift ideas and traditional handicrafts. Typcial Austrian brass bands, gospel choirs and music groups create the perfect Christmas mood.

Adventmarkt Am Hof
Nov 15 – Dec 23, 10 am – 8 pm daily
Am Hof, 1010 Vienna
www.kunsthandwerksmarkt.at
Advent market with festive decorations, punch and delicacies.

Spittelberg Christmas Market
Nov 15 – Dec 23, Mon – Fri 2 am – 9 pm; Sat, Sun, Public hols. 10 am – 9 pm
Spittelberggasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, 1070 Vienna
www.spittelberg.at
The Christmas Market in the winding Biedermeier streets of the Spittelberg district focuses on high-quality arts and crafts, and culinary treats. Kids can look forward to an appearance by Father Christmas.

Winter im MQ
Nov 16 – Dec 23,
MuseumsQuartier Wien, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Viena
www.mqw.at
Trendy winter meeting place with Ice Palace bar (Mon-Fri 16.00-23.00, Sat, Sun + public hols from 14.00), DJ sounds and cool visuals at Vienna’s leading art complex. Designers will present their work at (ceramics, glass, fashion, jewelry, interior design objects, games, music etc) at the WeihnachtsQuartier im MQ.

Christmas Village at the University Campus
Nov 17 – Dec 23, Mon – Sat 2 pm – 10 pm; Sun and public hols. 11 am – 22 pm
Universitätscampus, Alserstrasse 4,Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Vienna
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
The attractive courtyards of the former Vienna General Hospital site (Altes AKH) are transformed into a festive Christmas village where the air is heavy with yuletide sounds and enticing aromas. There is a nostalgic carousel, crib with live animals and pony and trap rides for the little ones.

Christmas markets reachable by public transport….

Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace
Nov 23 – Dec 23, 11 am – 9 pm daily
Oberes Belvedere, Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, 1030 Vienna
www.weihnachtsdorf.at
This Christmas market is held against the Baroque backdrop of the Belevedere Palace. About 45 festively decorated stands offer time-honored handicrafts and Christmas decorations. Food stands serve piping-hot punch, mulled wine and Austrian delicacies. There is a carousel and a mini-railway for the little ones.

Arts & Crafts Market in front of Karlskirche
Nov 23 – Dec 23, 12 am – 8 pm
Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna
www.divinaart.at
Around 70 craftspeople and artists showcase their creations at this market. Attractions include pony rides and arts and crafts for kids, as well as music and dance events.

Cultural and Christmas Market in front of Schönbrunn Palace
Nov 24 – Dec 26, daily 10 am – 9 pm
Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse, 1130 Vienna
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at
The parade ground in front of former Habsburg residence Schönbrunn Palace is bathed in festive light. Traditional arts and crafts, handmade jewelry and rustic Christmas decorations await in this imperial setting. The cultural program includes Austrian and international choirs and brass bands. There are also cookie baking courses and games for the kids to enjoy.