The best seasonal markets are perhaps those with palatial backdrops, where you sip mulled wine near marbled eves of imperial splendour. Step forward the K&K Christmas Market at Belvedere.
- Beautiful location near a baroque palace
- Smaller and less frantic than most other Christmas markets
- Romantic setting great for couples
- The palace art exhibitions are a must
- Expect 30+ stands
- 2026 dates: Nov 20 – Dec 31
- Book a classical concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- Nearby:
- See also:
The market
(Not a bad view, even in a photo taken using a low-end smartphone. Although the lake lights were missing on my visit at the start of the 2025 Christmas season. And the market moves to the other side of the lake from 2026)
The market at Belvedere has new organisers, a new site, a new name, and a new format in 2026, launching as the K&K Christmas Market.
Expect 30+ stands with a historical ambience during the day that includes performances and related activities. In the evening, the ambience gets a little more modern. All of which sounds very promising.
The section below is a review of the previous market, so things may obviously be a little different in 2026. I will update this article as soon as it opens, and I can see the new version for myself. The Dates & Times section has already been updated for 2026.
Previous review:
As the name suggests, this Christmas market sits in the grounds of the gorgeous Upper Belvedere palace, the former home to Prince Eugene of Savoy that dates back to the early 1700s.
I defy you to enter the Belvedere complex through the southern gate after sunset and not stand open mouthed in wonder at the beauty of the scene before you.
When friends and family visit, I get them to close their eyes and then guide them inside. A gasp of astonishment is guaranteed.
Pictures cannot do it justice. For a moment, the world seems a better place; this is what Christmas in Vienna is all about.
Wait for the twilight blue sky to appear for the best background for photographs of the palace, market and Christmas lights.
(The stands used to adjoin the palace front before the move to the new location)
The palace itself houses a prestigious art collection, including a globally-important selection of paintings by Gustav Klimt.
Klimt’s most famous work, The Kiss, would set you back way in excess of €300 million (at the very least). So you might prefer to pick up something a little more affordable at the market.
Besides, The Kiss is far too big to fit in a stocking. And you really don’t want to cut it up to fit.
The Belvedere market is quieter (relatively) and a touch smaller than most of the main markets, with traditionally a broad channel flanked by around 20 stands on each side.
On my visit, I found jewellery, scented woods, soaps & candles, ceramics, wooden toys, woolly hats, decorations, leather goods, drinking horns made from real horn, and more.
And, naturally, you won’t run out of things to eat and drink.
In past years, the market offered quite an eclectic range of food. It now seems to have pivoted toward more traditional Austrian and Alpine fare, like sausages, Leberkäse, giant doughnuts, pretzels, and raclette.
And, of course, expect to enjoy such seasonal regulars as chocolate-coated fruit, Langos, roasted almonds and roast chestnuts. In an unexpected pleasure, I discovered one booth offered particularly generous portions of tornado fries.
Given Belvedere’s original owner, I did miss the booth that used to sell food from the Savoy, although raclette kind of fills that role.
(The market by day in a previous year. The windows look in onto Belvedere’s giant central staircase)
If you’ve little ones, I spotted a carousel. But for me the market is, perhaps, best suited to couples looking to capture the romantic flair of times gone by.
Steal a fleeting kiss before the lake, then share a steaming mug of punch before shopping for Christmas delights.
Dates & times
In 2026, the market takes place next to the small lake at Upper Belvedere, at the opposite side to the palace. This is due to planned redevelopments at the previous location.
The K&K Christmas Market runs from November 20th to December 31st. Scheduled opening times are:
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends and public holidays)
- 11am to 5pm on December 24th and December 31st
How to get to Belvedere
Ah, there’s a whole article with travel tips for Belvedere. You want the part telling you how to get to Upper Belvedere palace. The complex has two palaces at either end of landscaped gardens, and I’ll let you guess the name of the lower building.
Find the market on the Upper Belvedere side facing away from the gardens and that lower palace, i.e. on the opposite side to the main Upper Belvedere entrance for museum visitors.
Belvedere is, of course, a popular tourist destination in its own right. Consider visiting during the day to enjoy the various permanent and special art exhibitions. Not to mention the stupendous interior architecture: look for the Marble Hall in the upper palace.
Then, afterwards, pop into the Belvedere market for a well-earned mug of something hot and a bite to eat.
Address: Schloss Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Strasse 27, 1030 Vienna | Website