So when can you expect to see the Easter bunny set up stall in Vienna, hand out unfeasibly large amounts of chocolate, and try and persuade you they really do bring the eggs (despite the biological issues that raises)?
- See also:
When do the 2022 markets start?
Traditionally, the Easter markets begin about two weeks before the Easter weekend and continue through until around Easter Monday.
So, in 2022, the main markets in Vienna should open from the start of April and finish about April 18th.
Precise dates appear below as I get them, based on the official websites at the time of writing:
- Schönbrunn: April 2nd to 19th
- Am Hof: April 1st to 18th
- Freyung: April 1st to 18th
- Kalvarienbergfest: TBA
- Palais Niederösterreich: TBA
Bear in mind that market details can change at short notice in the times we find ourselves in, so keep an eye on official sites for the latest information. No markets opened in 2020 or 2021, for example, thanks to the COVID regulations at the time.
Dates for later years remain, obviously, unconfirmed, but here’s my rough guess:
- March 25/26 to April 10 (in 2023)
- March 16/17 to April 1 (in 2024)
- April 5/6 to April 21 (in 2025)
Opening hours
Most markets open up between 10am and 11am and carry on through to the early or late evening. Specific times based on their official websites at the time of writing are:
Schönbrunn
10am to 6.30pm each day.
This one is a little away from the centre but possibly the biggest and best. The imperial surrounds create a wonderful atmosphere.
To make good use of your trip, you might book a tour of the palace and then pop into the market in the forecourt beforehand (or afterwards) for a spot of brunch, lunch or dinnertime snack, before heading back to the delights of Vienna’s old town.
Am Hof
- 11am to 8pm (Monday to Thursday)
- 10am to 8pm (Friday to Sunday, plus Easter Monday)
- Food and drink service may continue until 9pm
The closest to the traditional centre of town: just a short walk up from Stephansdom cathedral. Stay a little later if you’re eating or drinking: the culinary booths usually remain open until an hour after the other stalls close for the day.
Freyung
TBA, but typical hours are 10am to 7pm.
The place for decorated eggs thanks to the traditional central stall with its crates of painted eggshells. The Freyung market is very close to the Am Hof equivalent, so you can wander along to the latter after dark if you want an Easter-flavoured snack later in the evening.
Palais Niederösterreich
TBA for this two-day special market, but normally something like 10am to 9pm.
Musical entertainment usually continues through both days at regular intervals, featuring brass bands, singers, and other musicians from the province of Lower Austria. The event also offers a rare chance to see inside this centuries-old palais.
Kalvarienbergfest
TBA, but typical hours are:
- 10am to 6pm
- 9am to 6pm (weekends)
This is more of a local street event, but one with a long tradition behind it. The location in the 17th district lies outside the areas you might normally visit as a tourist, though still easily reached from the central Schottentor station on the tram.