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?
- Book a concert experience* for the Viennese Advent
- See also:
When do the markets start in 2025?
(The market on Maria-Theresien-Platz with the Kunsthistorisches Museum behind)
Traditionally, the markets begin in early to mid November and all the major markets open by the last week of the month (and probably earlier).
I add dates announced on the official websites as I spot them across the year. At the time of writing (April, 2025), five big markets had already revealed details for the coming Christmas season:
| Market or location | 2025 start dates |
|---|---|
| Christkindlmarkt | November 14th |
| Karlsplatz | November 21st |
| Schönbrunn | November 7th |
| Belvedere | ? |
| Spittelberg | ? |
| Maria-Theresien-Platz | (Not opening on the square in 2025) |
| Freyung | ? |
| Am Hof | November 14th |
| Altes AKH | ? |
| Stephansplatz | ? |
| Wintermarkt | November 21st |
| Hirschstetten | ? |
When visiting, I always suggest going late afternoon or early evening. This ensures a dusk ambience but avoids the peak crowds. It also leaves time for other evening activities, particularly one of the popular Mozart & Strauss concerts held in historical venues.
When do they end?
All the big 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. So far, we have:
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 6th, 2026)
- Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (until December 26th, 2025)
- Schönbrunn (until January 6th)
Last time out, the following markets also opened for at least some days after December 23rd:
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Belvedere (until December 31st)
- Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz (until December 31st, though the square is not hosting a market in 2025)
Be sure to check official sites on a case-by-case basis, 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 2025
(The Stephansplatz market in front of the cathedral was one of the earliest to open last year)
Most markets open sometime between 10am and midday, then close sometime between 8pm and 10pm. So far, I know of the following 2025 details:
Am Hof
- 11am to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 10am to 9pm (Fri-Sun and public holidays)
- Food & drink are served an hour longer
Karlsplatz
- Midday to 8pm
Wintermarkt
- Midday to 10pm (weekdays)
- 11am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
- 10am to 5pm on December 24th
- On Dec 31st, from midday until 2am the following day
I await information for most individual markets based (again) on their official websites. Until then, a look back at previous years…
Opening hours in 2024
Altes AKH
- 2pm to 10pm (Mon – Weds)
- 2pm to 11pm (Thurs, Fri)
- 11am to 11pm (Sat)
- 11am to 8pm (Sun)
Belvedere
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends)
- 11am to 4pm (December 24th)
- 11am to 7pm (December 25th to 30th)
- 11am to 6pm (December 31st)
Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)
- 10am to 10pm
- Closed at 6.30pm on December 24th
Freyung
- 10am to 9pm
Hirschstetten
- Thursdays to Sundays only
- 10am 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 7pm (from December 25th)
Spittelberg
- 2pm to 9.30pm (Mon-Fri)
- 11am to 9.30pm (Sat, Sun and public holidays)
Stephansplatz
- 11am to 9pm
- Closed at 4pm on Dec 24th
- Closed at 7pm on Dec 25th and 26th
(The Christkindlmarkt outside city hall is Vienna’s most famous market)
Previous seasons’ opening hours
Here details from past years for those markets I’ve reviewed at Visiting Vienna that did not open in 2024…
Genussmarkt
- Midday to 9pm (1.30am the following day on New Year’s Eve)
- Closed on December 24th
Michaelerplatz
- 10am to 8pm
- May have closed earlier on December 24th(?)
So…if you’ve made it this far, how about a few tips on which market to visit? Or an overview of Christmas in Vienna? Or a curated list of Christmas classical concerts? Enjoy!