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?
- Earliest start is November 6th
- Most open November 13th
- Book a concert experience* for the Viennese Advent
- See also:
When do the markets start in 2026?
(The Art Advent market on Karlsplatz with the Karlskirche church behind)
Traditionally, the markets begin in early to mid November, and all the big ones typically open by the last week of the month (usually earlier). I add dates listed on the official websites as I spot them across the year.
| Market or location | Starts in 2026 from… |
|---|---|
| Christkindlmarkt | November 13th |
| Karlsplatz | November 13th |
| Schönbrunn | November 6th |
| Belvedere | November 20th |
| Spittelberg | November 13th |
| Maria-Theresien-Platz | November 20th |
| Freyung | November 13th |
| Am Hof | November 13th |
| Altes AKH | November 13th |
| Stephansplatz | November 6th |
| Wintermarkt | November 20th |
| Hirschstetten | November 12th (not daily) |
| Schwarzenbergplatz (new in 2026) | November 13th |
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 many historical venues.
When do they end?
All the big locations traditionally open daily 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. Those I already know of:
- Schönbrunn (until January 6th, 2027)
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 6th, 2027)
- Belvedere (until December 31st)
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (until December 26th)
- The Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz (until December 26th)
- Schwarzenbergplatz (until December 26th)
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 most important and interesting locations for visitors to Vienna.
Opening hours 2026
(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. I add 2026 details based on postings at official market websites, once available.
Provisional times are:
Altes AKH
- 2pm to 10pm (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs)
- 2pm to 11pm (Fri)
- 11am to 11pm (Sat)
- 11am to 9pm (Sun)
- Closes at 8pm on December 23rd
Am Hof
- 11am to 9pm (Mon-Thurs)
- 10am to 9pm (Fri-Sun and public holidays)
- Food & drink are served an hour longer
Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)
- 10am to 10pm, but…
- Closes at 6.30pm on December 24th
Freyung
- 10am to 9pm
Karlsplatz
- Midday to 8pm
K&K Christmas Market (Belvedere)
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends and public holidays)
- 11am to 5pm on December 24th and December 31st
Maria-Theresien-Platz
- 11am to 9pm (Mon to Fri)
- 10am to 9pm (Sat and Sun)
- 11am to 4pm on December 24th, 25th and 26th
Schönbrunn
- 10am to 9pm, although…
- Closes at 4pm on December 24th
- 10am to 7pm from December 25th
Schwarzenbergplatz
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends)
- 11am to 4pm (December 24th)
- 11am to 7pm (December 25th and 26th)
Spittelberg
- 2pm to 9.30pm (Mon-Fri)
- 11am to 9.30pm (Sat, Sun and public holidays)
Stephansplatz
- 11am to 9pm, although…
- Closes at 4pm on Dec 24th
- Closes at 7pm on Dec 25th and 26th
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
Opening hours in 2025
A look back at times last time out as a guide until I can put in 2026 details…
Hirschstetten
- Thursdays to Sundays only (but did open December 8th as an exception)
- 10am to 8pm
Previous seasons’ opening hours
(The Christkindlmarkt outside city hall is Vienna’s most famous market)
Here details from past years for those markets I’ve reviewed at Visiting Vienna that did not open in 2025…
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(?)
Finally…
If you’ve made it this far, how about a few tips to make your Christmas visit even better:
- Which market should you visit
- An overview of Christmas in Vienna?
- A curated list of Christmas classical concerts?
Enjoy!