Should you enjoy a glass of vino at the Am Hof Christmas market, you’re following in ancient footsteps. The location hosted a wine market as early as 1358 (the main difference being a lack of an ATM back then).
- Includes a unique arts & crafts section
- Strong variety of food and drink
- Close to the Freyung market
- Expect around 76 stands
- 2026 dates: TBA (was Nov 14 – Dec 23 in 2025)
- Book a classical concert experience* for your trip
- Nearby:
- See also:
The market
(Typical view into the market with the Kirche Am Hof church and Park Hyatt Vienna hotel behind)
Am Hof is a large central square in Vienna rich in history.
Henry II, the Babenberg Duke of Austria resided here in the 12th century, which hints at the age of this part of the city.
Inevitably, then, a fair few older sites surround the stalls of the Am Hof Christmas market. For example:
- Mozart first performed in Vienna at Palais Collalto at an age when most kids are just saying goodbye to Kindergarten
- The imposing Kirche am Hof church dates back to the 14th century (the façade is a mere 350 years old, mind you); three popes have spoken from its balcony
- The Mariensäule column at the centre of the market gives thanks to the Virgin Mary for the Swedish army’s decision to go around Vienna back in 1645
Painting by Carl Pippich of the Am Hof Christkindlmarkt in 1901; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 33925; excerpt reproduced under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license; photo by Birgit and Peter Kainz, Wien Museum)
That military detour proved quite fortunate for the city, because those 17th-century Swedes were armed with more than selfie sticks and bottled water.
The square has actually hosted markets for centuries, but the first Christmas one here appeared just as Charles Dickens began work on a tale about a miserly fellow named Scrooge (a story you can see come to life annually in Vienna courtesy of Open House Theatre).
Today’s Am Hof Christmas market is ideal for those who like their sights and activities packed together, being close to, for example, the Hofburg palace complex in the city centre and only a short walk from the Freyung Christmas market.
Think of the location as made up of two parts.
The first part is the Kunsthandwerkmarkt (arts and crafts market), which usually features around 20 huts selling, well, “arts and crafts”. This is not your run-of-the-mill craft market, though.
Unlike most market stands, you can go into some of these. You essentially have a wide aisle of miniature shops: handy for lifting your spirits if the weather turns grim.
The items on sale also possess a certain level of artistic quality; if you’re looking for unique gifts, consider this a decent place to start.
(Typical view down the art & crafts section. The building at the rear has a cannonball from the 1683 siege of Vienna hanging outside it)
Expect plenty of variety. On my visit to the 2025 market, this meant everything from notebooks and original art to beer bottle clocks and turnery wood.
The second part consists of the more traditional Christmas market offerings, typically classics like decorations, punch, jewellery, accessories, soaps, textiles, and more.
(We bought a couple of these in 2025)
In 2025, for example, we bought a fair few botanic-themed ceramic decorations at the wonderful Blühende Keramik stall. Hopefully that will return for 2026.
Am Hof also feels as if it offers a wider range of food and drink than at many of the other Viennese markets. For example, the market features a champagne bar.
You certainly won’t go hungry.
(Entrance to the market with the suitably historical background)
The 2025 market had stands selling local favourites like Langos, roast nuts, chocolate-coated fruits, Lebkuchen, soups, Alpine cheeses, Baumkuchen (cakes baked on a spit), Tyrolean specialties like Gröstl (fried potatoes and mincemeat), open sandwiches, sausages, oven potatoes, and more.
A few gastronomic imports made an appearance, too, such as raclette (with the mouthwatering scent of melted cheese), waffles, crepes and pasta dishes.
Even as a vegetarian, I love the look of the traditional stand selling great strings of sausages in all their forms, which always adds a medieval feel to that particular corner of the market.
(A reliable constant at the market: the Speck Standl booth)
Before or after your visit, head toward the very centre of the city from here to see the Christmas lights in the pedestrianised zone along the Graben and Kohlmarkt.
That walk also takes you to other markets, like the one on Stephansplatz. And allows you to combine a market visit with an atmospheric evening concert at, for example, the Peterskirche church or Stephansdom cathedral.
(Bar tables for your convenience in a previous year)
2026 dates & times
I don’t have 2026 details at the time of writing. The previous Am Hof market ran from November 14th to December 23rd with these opening times:
- 11am to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 10am to 9pm (Fri-Sun and public holidays)
- Food & drink are served an hour longer
How to get to Am Hof
The Christmas market is right in the centre of town (it used to be the *actual* centre of medieval Vienna). You even pass the square on Part 4 of my recommended self-guided walking tour route of the city.
Subway: take the U1 (to Stephansplatz), U3 (to Herrengasse) or U2 (to Schottentor). Each is a short walk from Am Hof, or you can catch one of the bus lines below.
Bus: the market is within a quick walk of various bus stops, including Graben/Petersplatz (line 1A or 2A), Schwertgasse (1A or 3A) and Teinfaltstraße (1A).
Address: Am Hof, 1010 Vienna | Website