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: List of Christmas markets | Vienna in December
When do the markets start in 2021?
The list shows when the main Christmas markets in Vienna plan to open, according to each market’s website at the time of writing:
- November 12th: Spittelberg, Stephansplatz, Am Hof, Genussmarkt bei der Oper, and Altes AKH markets
- November 13th: Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
- November 17th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz
- November 19th: Karlsplatz and Belvedere markets
- November 20th: Freyung, Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz, and the Schönbrunn Christmas markets
Traditionally, most markets start in mid-November and all should open by the end of that month. Be aware that public health regulations may limit access to the markets through, for example, the 3G requirement adopted across Austria.
(I try to keep things up-to-date but it’s not always possible, so check with official market sites to be sure on dates and access.)
The only big market I’ve yet to find dates for at the time of writing is the one on Michaelerplatz. By way of comparison, that market was slated to open on November 13th in 2020.
All markets normally stay open until at least December 23rd. Some Christmas markets continue into late December or early January (possibly as New Year’s markets).
These markets plan to stay open through the Christmas public holiday period:
- Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz (until January 9th, 2022)
- The Schönbrunn market (until December 26th and then hopes to continue as a New Year market until January 2nd, 2022 with confirmation likely in autumn)
- Stephansplatz (until December 26th)
- Belvedere (until December 26th)
- Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz (until December 26th)
- Genussmarkt bei der Oper (until December 31st)
The following markets also typically stay open during the actual holiday period, but end dates remain unconfirmed as yet. The dates given are based on provisional plans for 2020 until I get the actual 2021 details:
- Rathausplatz (until December 26th)
- Michaelerplatz (until December 26th and perhaps later, too, as a New Year market)
Opening hours 2021
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:
Provisional 2021 opening hours
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 typically open until 10 pm (unconfirmed at the time of writing)
Belvedere
- 11am to 9pm (weekdays)
- 10am to 9pm (weekends)
- 11am to 4pm (December 24th)
- 11am to 7pm (December 25th – 30th)
- 11am to 6pm (December 31st)
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 onwards)
- Closed early on December 31st (6pm)
Schönbrunn
- 10am to 9pm
- Closes at 4pm on December 24th
- 10am to 6pm (December 25th to January 4th)
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)
Planned opening hours for 2020
Here the opening hours announced for last year for those markets who have not yet published this year’s times (last time I checked).
Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)
- 11am to 9.30pm (10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Closes at 7pm on December 24th
- 11am to 9.30pm on December 25th and 26th
Freyung
- 10am to 9pm
Michaelerplatz
- 10am or 11am to 8pm (5pm on December 24th)
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)