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 2024?
(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). In 2024, they began opening on November 8th.
I add dates announced on the official websites as I spot them across the year. At the time of writing (November 16th, 2024), all the big markets had opened for the season:
| Market or location | 2024 start dates |
|---|---|
| Christkindlmarkt | Started November 15th |
| Karlsplatz | Started November 15th |
| Schönbrunn | Started November 8th |
| Belvedere | Started November 15th |
| Spittelberg | Started November 16th |
| Maria-Theresien-Platz | Started November 13th |
| Freyung | Started November 15th |
| Am Hof | Started November 15th |
| Altes AKH | Started November 15th |
| Stephansplatz | Started November 8th |
| Wintermarkt | Started November 16th |
| Hirschstetten | Started November 14th |
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 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 2024, for example, the following markets open for at least some days after December 23rd:
- Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (until December 26th)
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 6th)
- Schönbrunn (until January 6th)
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Belvedere (until December 31st)
- Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz (until December 31st)
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 2024
(The Stephansplatz market in front of the cathedral was one of the earliest to open in 2024)
Most markets open sometime between 10am and midday, then close sometime between 8pm and 10pm. Here the details for individual markets based (again) on their official websites:
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 were served an hour longer
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 (provisional)
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
- Closes 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
- 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
Other markets have yet to clarify their times (or I can’t yet confirm if they will open in 2024). Here details from past years for those I’ve reviewed at Visiting Vienna…
(The Christkindlmarkt outside city hall is Vienna’s most famous market)
Previous seasons’ opening hours
Genussmarkt (2022)
- Midday to 9pm (1.30am the following day on New Year’s Eve)
- Closed on December 24th
Michaelerplatz (2022?)
- 10am to 8pm
- May have closed earlier on December 24th(?)
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.