Lots of Christmas markets in Vienna have great settings. The Karlsplatz version is no exception, nestled in front of the imposing Baroque Karlskirche church.
However, this market differs from its city siblings in significant ways. Its formal title is Art Advent, which gives you a decent clue as to where the emphasis lies.
- Locally-produced arts and crafts
- Excellent for unique, high-quality gifts
- Organic food and drink
- Good for kids, too
- Around 78 booths
- 2024 dates: Nov 15 – Dec 23
- Book a classical concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- Nearby:
- See also:
The market
(View over the market in 2024)
The divina art arts and crafts association organises the advent market. Among the requirements for those wishing to run a stand:
- Based in Austria
- Products created and produced by the applicant: no traded goods
- The approval of a qualified jury
This selection process ensures quality, but also far more originality and diversity than at Christmas markets elsewhere in Vienna.
The range of items available covers fine art, clothing, jewellery & accessories, decorations, lots of ceramics, and much more. Which sounds a little like most markets, but…the booths on Karlsplatz tend to have a particular flair, quality and/or uniqueness to them.
(Dozens of stalls sell a greater range of arts and crafts than you find in other places)
As a bonus, the artist or craftsperson might run the stand themselves, perhaps making new items as you watch and happy to discuss their craft and processes with you.
A generous sprinkling of food and drink booths also means you won’t miss your mug of Christmas punch or mulled wine. And several covered areas with bar tables offer shelter should the weather turn nasty.
As with the arts and crafts, the fare on sale differs a little from the normal seasonal market offerings.
Everything is organic (except where no organic alternatives are available for a particular foodstuff), and you won’t find many of the populist Christmas snacks here: I didn’t spot any pretzels, langos or chocolate-coated fruit on my 2024 visit, for example, though I did unearth sausages and roast chestnuts.
So instead of the usual, expect a more adventurous gastronomic selection drawn from Austrian and European tradition.
In 2024, booths offer such delights as Kiachl (a kind of flat doughnut), potato goulash, Blunzengröstl (a dish involving blood sausage), buckwheat crepes, and more.
(Raclette makes a tasty snack. Smells delicious too)
I enjoyed, for example, a raclette: melted cheese on bread, which also leaves a glorious scent hanging in the air around the booth.
The market follows a more open plan design than most others, with an area directly in front of the church reserved for children’s activities: piles of straw to muck about in, animals, craft workshops, etc.
All of this happens under an umbrella of sustainability, recycling, and a shared responsibility for this world. For example, a children’s carousel used discarded goods for seating on my visit and ran on pedal power.
Consider Art Advent a greener, more diverse variation on the traditional Christmas market experience. As such, you might best appreciate it in combination with a more conventional alternative, such as the Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz or Schönbrunn.
(Expect a few farm animals among the visitors)
In summary, the Karlsplatz market is the Montmartre of the Viennese Christmas landscape and an excellent location if you’re seeking something high quality and unique gift-wise (we buy a lot of presents here).
The local area also has much to offer visitors.
Consider nipping into the Karlskirche church for a dose of Baroque finery and perhaps an Advent concert after an early-evening browse of the market (the regular Vivaldi concerts receive high ratings: also from me).
Alternatively, go up the church’s spiral staircase to get a lovely aerial view over the market from the panorama terrace.
(One of two Wagner pavilions close to the market)
The neighbouring Wien Museum also offers a view of the market from its own terrace (and interesting permanent and special exhibitions, too).
For contemporary art, pop over the road for the Albertina Modern art museum in the gorgeous Künstlerhaus (which has its own exhibitions by the same-named artist association).
Keep an eye out for the Otto Wagner station pavilions, as well, with their Jugendstil white, gold, and green designs. They offer a good view for nice photos across the market.
(The Karlskirche church makes a great backdrop)
This area is also music territory.
Brahms, for example, lived one street away and his statue guards the market. Vivaldi is buried on one side of the park (under the Technical University). And the world’s greatest (possibly) concert venue is close by.
2024 dates & times
The 2024 market lasts from November 15th to December 23rd with opening times of midday to 8pm.
How to get to Art Advent
The market adjoins the Karlsplatz subway station, one of Vienna’s main transport hubs. Take the U1, U2 or U4 subway lines (look for the Resselpark exit and just follow the crowds).
Address: Resselpark, Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna | Website