You’re wrapped up warm all ready to splash out on strawberries that foolishly fell into some chocolate. Not to mention a mug of mulled wine to scare away the winter cold. Around the corner, and…the market’s not open.
- See also: Christmas markets | Vienna in December
NB: Events, markets, etc. will continue to be subject to public health restrictions in late 2020 (and possibly beyond) so be prepared for changes. Check with official sites.
When do the markets start?
The lists below shows when the main Christmas markets in Vienna open in 2020, according to each market’s website at the time of writing.
Note that changes at short notice may be possible given the extraordinary times we live in right now. I try to keep things up-to-date but it’s not always possible at the moment, so check with official market sites to be sure.
- November 13th, 2020: Am Hof, Altes AKH, Spittelsberg, Michaelerplatz, Genussmarkt bei der Oper, and Stephansplatz all open
- November 15th: Rathausplatz opens
- November 18th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz opens
- November 20th: Belvedere and Karlsplatz open
- November 21st: Schönbrunn, Freyung, and the Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz open
All markets stay open until at least December 23rd. Some Christmas markets continue into late December or early January (most tend to do so more or less as New Year’s markets).
You can still visit the following markets during the Christmas and New Year period:
- Schönbrunn (until December 26th)
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 6th)
- Belvedere (until December 31st)
- Maria-Theresien-Platz (until January 6th)
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Michaelerplatz (until December 26th and likely later, too)
- Genussmarkt bei der Oper (until December 31st)
Opening hours 2020
Most markets open sometime between 10am and midday, closing around 9pm. Here the details, again based on what the websites say at the time of writing:
Altes AKH
- 2pm to 10pm (Mon – Weds)
- 2pm to 11pm (Thurs, Fri)
- 11am to 11pm (Sat)
- 11am to 9pm (Sun)
Am Hof
- 11am to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 10am to 9pm (Fri-Sun and public holidays)
- Food stalls were open until 10 pm
Belvedere
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends and December 8th)
- 11am to 4pm (December 24th)
- 11am to 7pm (December 25th – 30th)
- 11am to 6pm (December 31)
Freyung
- 10am to 9pm
Genussmarkt bei der Oper
- 11am to 9pm
- Closed on December 24th
- On December 31st, opens until 2am the next day
Karlsplatz
- Midday to 8pm
Maria-Theresien-Platz
- 11am to 9pm (Sun to Thurs)
- 11am to 9.30pm (Fri and Sat)
- Closed earlier on December 24th (4pm)
- 11am to 7pm (December 25th to January 6th)
- Closed early on December 31st (6pm)
Michaelerplatz
- 10am to 8pm (5pm on December 24th)
Schönbrunn
- 10am to 9pm
- Closes earlier on December 24th (4pm)
- 10am to 6pm (provisionally December 25th to January 3rd)
Spittelberg
- 2pm to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 2pm to 9.30pm (Fri)
- 10am to 9.30pm (Sat)
- 10am to 9pm (Sun and public holidays)
Stephansplatz
- 11am to 9pm (closed at 4pm on Dec 24 and at 7pm on Dec 25 and 26)
Wintermarkt
- Midday to 10pm (weekdays)
- 11am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
- 10am to 5pm on December 24th
- Opened longer on New Year’s Eve (midday to 2am the following day)
All other markets: TBA at the time of writing.
Opening hours last year (for reference)
Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)
- 10am to 9.30pm (10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Closed at 7pm on December 24th
- 11am to 9.30pm on December 25th and 26th