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 chase away the winter cold. Around the corner, and…is the market even open?
When do the markets start in 2023?
(The market on Maria-Theresien-Platz with the Kunsthistorisches Museum behind)
Traditionally, most markets start in mid-November and all the major markets open by the last week of the month.
Most markets have already announced their 2023 starting dates:
- November 10th: Am Hof; Stephansplatz; Altes AKH; Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (the “big one”)
- November 15th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz
- November 16th: Spittelberg
- November 17th: Belvedere; Freyung
- November 18th: the Schönbrunn market; Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz
- November 23rd: Weihnachtszauber, Hirschstetten
- November 24th: Karlsplatz
To give you an idea of what else to expect, here the details from last year of when each of the remaining big or central markets opened:
- November 11th: Michaelerplatz
(The Genussmarkt bei der Oper also opened November 11th in 2022, but is skipping 2023 due to building works.)
All locations normally stay open until at least December 23rd.
Expect several markets to continue through the Christmas public holiday period as well. One or two may even stay open until late December or early January, often in the form of a New Year market.
In 2023, for example, the following markets open on at least some days after December 23rd:
- Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (until December 26th)
- Schönbrunn (until December 26th and then from December 27th to January 4th as a New Year market)
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 7th)
- Belvedere (also continues after the Christmas season as a Sylvesterdorf New Year’s market from December 27th until December 31st)
- Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz (same as Belvedere)
Once dates arrive for the missing market(s), that list may grow.
Always check official sites on a case-by-case basis, though, given dates and times can change at short notice.
You may find other markets around the city and not mentioned have different dates to any given above: I don’t check every one, just the important locations for visitors to Vienna.
Opening hours 2023
(The Stephansplatz market in front of the cathedral)
Most markets open sometime between 10am and midday, then close sometime between 8pm and 10pm. Here the 2023 details for those I review at Visiting Vienna, again based on what the websites say as I write. As with opening dates, these might change.
Expected 2023 opening hours
Altes AKH
- 2pm to 10pm (Mon – Weds)
- 2pm to 11pm (Thurs, Fri)
- 11am to 11pm (Sat)
- 11am to 8pm (Sun)
Am Hof
- 11am to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 10am to 9pm (Fri-Sun and public holidays)
- Food & drink served an hour longer
Belvedere
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends)
- 11am to 4pm (December 24th)
- 11am to 7pm (December 26th to 30th)
- 11am to 6pm (December 31st)
Freyung
- 10am to 9pm
Hirschstetten
- Thursdays to Sundays only
- 10am to 8pm
Karlsplatz
- Midday to 8pm
Maria-Theresien-Platz
- 11am to 9pm (Sun to Thurs)
- 11am to 10pm (Fri and Sat)
- Closed earlier on December 24th (4pm), 25th to 30th (7pm) and 31st (6pm)
Schönbrunn
- 10am to 9pm
- Closed at 4pm on December 24th
- 10am to 6pm (from December 25th)
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 24th
- Closed at 7pm on Dec 25th and 26th
Weihnachtszauber
- Thursdays to Sundays only
- 3pm to 9pm (Thursdays and Fridays)
- midday to 9pm (Saturdays)
- midday to 7pm (Sundays)
Wintermarkt
- Midday to 10pm (weekdays)
- 11am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
- 11am to 5pm on December 24th
- On Dec 31st, open from 11am until 2am the following day
Last year?
To give you an idea of what to plan for, here the opening times for the other main or central markets back in 2022…
Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)
- 10am to 9.30pm
- Closed at 6.30pm on December 24th, 25th and 26th
Genussmarkt bei der Oper
- 11am to 9pm (later on New Year’s Eve?)
- Has closed on December 24th in past years
Michaelerplatz
- 10am to 8pm
- May have closed earlier on December 24th(?)