Each Advent, the forecourt in front of Schönbrunn Palace turns into a Christmas market of the more elegant sort. The palace and its outbuildings form an impressive backdrop, and the quality of the wares is exceptional, too.
- Gorgeous location in front of the Habsburg palace
- Perhaps the most classically stylish of all the Vienna markets
- Strong focus on arts and crafts
- 2022 dates: Nov 19 – Dec 26
- …continues as a New Year market until Jan 4, 2023
- See also:
The market
It’s really, really (really) hard to beat the atmosphere at the Schönbrunn Christmas market.
No street markings or garish signs spoil the historical vista. Instead, silver and gold lights beckon to weary travellers as the entire front of the palace glows gently in the twilight.
You almost expect some long-whiskered gentleman in a top hat to appear, ask after your family, and beg the honour of your company for the evening.
(Weihnachtsmarkt Schloß Schönbrunn © www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at; Photo: Andreas Tischler)
As such, the Schönbrunn market is perhaps the most noble of all the Viennese Christmas markets. (Though the Belvedere version has its palace backdrop, too.)
Dozens of stalls encircle the palace courtyard, offering booth after booth of high-quality arts and crafts from the workshops of candle makers, glass blowers, wood carvers, potters, needleworkers, and other artists and artisans.
As a result, the market is a particularly good source of unique Christmas gifts and traditional decorations that hark back to a time when plastic was still a twinkle in some chemist’s inventive eye.
Browse for your Christmas accommodation
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On the culinary side, you have plenty of gourmet food for sale, too: mustards and mountain cheeses, gingerbread and jams, honey and ham, schnapps and salamis.
And not forgetting the food and drink for consumption on-site, such as steaming baked potatoes, waffles, crepes, dumplings, and much more…it’s nigh on impossible to walk around without buying something to eat.
A giant Christmas tree dominates the palace side, where a small stage plays host to open-air advent concerts featuring a choir, brass band, or similar The stage also has a 250-figure handmade nativity scene in front of it.
(Weihnachtsmarkt Schloß Schönbrunn 2021 © www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at; Photo: FOTOFALLY)
Drop in, turn your clock back a couple of hundred years and don’t ask anyone if the Hungarians should gain full independence.
Dates & times 2022
The Schönbrunn Christmas market opens on November 19th (and ends on December 26th). It then transitions to a Neujahrsmarkt (new year market) from December 27th.
Opening times for the Christmas period are:
- 10am to 9pm
- Closed earlier at 4pm on December 24th
- 10am to 6pm on December 25th and 26th (also applies to the New Year’s market)
How to get to Schönbrunn
To reach the market, follow the instructions for finding the palace (or stay in one of the nearby hotels.)
The event takes place in the huge courtyard next to the main palace building.
Needless to say, consider getting there early and enjoying the other numerous attractions at Schönbrunn, such as a tour of the palace or a trip to the zoo.
If the Austrian winter blesses the Christmas market with snow, then the park and gardens also look particularly splendid coated in white.
Out in the wooded or tree-lined areas, you might also spot red squirrels. They aren’t shy so can come quite close to visitors.
Address: Schönbrunn Palace, 1130 Vienna | Website