You’re wrapped up warm all ready to splash out on strawberries that foolishly fell into some chocolate. Not to mention a mug of mulled wine to chase away the winter cold. Around the corner, and…is the market even open?
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When do the markets start in 2024?
(The market on Maria-Theresien-Platz with the Kunsthistorisches Museum behind)
Traditionally, the markets start in mid-November and all the major markets open by the last week of the month.
I’ll add official dates as they reach me across the year. As of early March 2024, we have:
Market or location | Planned start dates (assumes all take place in 2024) |
---|---|
Christkindlmarkt | November 16th, 2024 |
Karlsplatz | ? |
Schönbrunn | ? |
Belvedere | ? |
Spittelberg | ? |
Maria-Theresien-Platz | ? |
Freyung | ? |
Am Hof | November 15th, 2024 |
Altes AKH | ? |
Stephansplatz | ? |
Michaelerplatz | ? |
Genussmarkt | ? |
Wintermarkt | November 16th, 2024 |
Hirschstetten | November 21st, 2024 |
Weihnachtszauber | ? |
To give you an idea of what to expect, here last year’s starting dates for the main markets not already confirmed above:
- November 10th: Stephansplatz; Altes AKH
- November 15th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz
- November 16th: Spittelberg
- November 17th: Belvedere; Freyung
- November 18th: the Schönbrunn market
- November 23rd: Weihnachtszauber
- November 24th: Karlsplatz
All locations normally stay open until at least December 23rd.
Expect several markets to continue through the Christmas public holiday period as well. One or two may even stay open until late December or early January, often in the form of a New Year market.
In 2024, for example, the following markets open for at least some days after December 23rd:
- Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (until December 26th)
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 6th)
Many of those yet to confirm dates opened longer last year. For example:
- Schönbrunn (until December 26th and then from December 27th to January 4th as a New Year market)
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Belvedere (continued after the Christmas season as a Silvesterdorf New Year’s market from December 27th until December 31st)
- Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz (same as Belvedere)
Always check official sites on a case-by-case basis, though, given dates and times can change at short notice.
You may find other markets around the city and not mentioned have different dates to any given above: I don’t check every one, just the important locations for visitors to Vienna.
Opening hours 2024
(The Stephansplatz market in front of the cathedral)
Most markets open sometime between 10am and midday, then close sometime between 8pm and 10pm.
Am Hof
- 11am to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 10am to 9pm (Fri-Sun and public holidays)
- Food & drink were served an hour longer
Wintermarkt
- Midday to 10pm (weekdays)
- 11am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
- 11am to 5pm on December 24th
- On Dec 31st, from 11am until 2am the following day
Other markets have yet to clarify their times. Here last year’s details for those I review at Visiting Vienna…
Last season’s opening hours
Altes AKH
- 2pm to 10pm (Mon – Weds)
- 2pm to 11pm (Thurs, Fri)
- 11am to 11pm (Sat)
- 11am to 8pm (Sun)
Belvedere
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends)
- 11am to 4pm (December 24th)
- 11am to 7pm (December 25th to 30th)
- 11am to 6pm (December 31st)
Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)
- 10am to 10pm
- Closed at 6.30pm on December 24th
Freyung
- 10am to 9pm
Hirschstetten
- Thursdays to Sundays only
- 10am to 8pm
Karlsplatz
- Midday to 8pm
Maria-Theresien-Platz
- 11am to 9pm (Sun to Thurs)
- 11am to 10pm (Fri and Sat)
- Closed earlier on December 24th (4pm), 25th to 30th (7pm) and 31st (6pm)
Schönbrunn
- 10am to 9pm
- Closed at 4pm on December 24th
- 10am to 6pm (from December 25th)
Spittelberg
- 2pm to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 2pm to 9.30pm (Fri)
- 10am to 9.30pm (Sat)
- 10am to 9pm (Sun and public holidays)
Stephansplatz
- 11am to 9pm
- Closed at 4pm on Dec 24th
- Closed at 7pm on Dec 25th and 26th
Weihnachtszauber
- Thursdays to Sundays only
- 3pm to 9pm (Thursdays and Fridays)
- midday to 9pm (Saturdays)
- midday to 7pm (Sundays)
Others
For those main or central markets that did not open in 2023, here the opening times the last time they took place.
Genussmarkt bei der Oper
- 11am to 9pm (later on New Year’s Eve?)
- Closed on December 24th
- Did not open in 2023 due to construction works
Michaelerplatz
- 10am to 8pm
- May have closed earlier on December 24th(?)