At Christmas, the small historical Freyung square hosts the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt. Consider it a gentler alternative to the larger markets elsewhere in Vienna.
- Traditional old Christmas market
- Farmer’s market attached
- Strong on decorations
- Typically around 60 stands
- 2025 dates: TBA (was Nov 15 – Dec 23 in 2024)
- Book a classical concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- Nearby:
- See also:
- All Christmas markets
- December activities in Vienna
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt
(One entrance to the market)
The Freyung is the name given to an open area in the heart of Vienna ringed by both the ancient Schottenstift abbey (whose origins date back to the middle of the 12th century) and the townhouses of the former nobility.
I’m sure the Irish monks that founded the abbey would roll their eyes in disappointment (or perhaps not?) at the vast quantities of punch and sausages that disappear here through Advent, but the modern Viennese certainly seem to approve.
The Freyung seasonal market (the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt) stretches across the front of the church and other abbey buildings and down to the Austriabrunnen: a mid-19th-century fountain that used rivers as metaphors for the extent of the Austrian empire.
(Historical ambience and stalls selling a variety of products)
The locality feels a touch less frantic than you get elsewhere; a proper little market where the surrounding historical buildings give everything a tucked away feeling; the two aisles create a jolly atmosphere.
This makes a particularly good alternative if you’re searching for decorations (look for the large cabin that commonly occupies the centre).
Otherwise, expect a solid mix of gifts & craft items, little gourmet items and delicatessen products. I particularly liked the look of the artisan chocolates from 28 LOTS on my previous visit.
A traditional highlight is also the huge 46m nativity scene (based on an 1830 painting by Josef Ritter von Führich) that runs along the backs of one row of huts.
Do cross the road, too, to browse more stalls selling regional and organic produce. This “farmer’s market” is a great place to get specialty cheeses, for example, or to sip on regional wine in the shadow of Palais Harrach.
I have undying love for the sharp Bergkäse mountain cheese that tastes like someone’s drilling your back teeth (but in a nice way).
At one end of this section, you also usually find a handful of booths forming a standalone charity Christmas market.
(A central hut typically appears and sells a whole range of decorations)
It won’t take you long to get around the Freyung market. So consider combining your visit with the Am Hof Christmas market, which also focuses on arts and crafts and is just a few throws of a punch mug nearer the city centre.
Alternatively, wander up Teinfaltstraße to find the huge Rathausplatz market.
If it gets too cold for you, leave the Freyung square while keeping the abbey on your right to find one of Vienna’s nicer coffee houses (Café Diglas at Schottengasse 2, home of the generously-sized banana slice).
(The nativity scene runs alongside the road)
And should you feel the need to load up on culture points before or after gorging on market delights, then the square and surrounds offer several strong options. For example:
- Evening classical concerts at the Old Stock Exchange or Palais Schönborn-Batthyány
- The Schottenstift Museum with its famous 15th-century altar panels
- For something a little more modern, the Kunstforum Wien opposite the market has a solo exhibition for iconic performance artist Marina Abramović across winter 2025/2026
2025 dates & times
I don’t have 2025 details at the time of writing. But the last Altwiener Christkindlmarkt opened from November 15th until December 23rd with times of 10am to 9pm.
How to get to the Freyung
The market is a short walk from the major sights in the city centre and just south of Schottentor (on the U2 subway line and tram lines 1, D, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 71. (Yep, a lot of trams stop at Schottentor.) The 1A bus stops at the Freyung itself (the Teinfaltstrasse stop).
Address: Freyung, 1010 Vienna