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:
- The main Easter markets
- Vienna at Easter
- Find a central hotel for Easter
When do the 2023 markets start?
(Decorated eggs for sale)
Traditionally, the Easter markets begin about two weeks before the Easter weekend and continue through until around Easter Monday.
Dates are in for the main markets and most other locations for 2023: essentially late March to April 10th or 11th. I add specific details below as I come across them on official websites (or you can check yourselves).
You can find other markets in Vienna, but these are perhaps those of greatest interest to visitors:
- Schönbrunn: March 25th to April 11th
- Am Hof: March 24th to April 10th
- Freyung: March 24th to April 10th
- Kalvarienbergfest: March 30th to April 9th
- Palais Niederösterreich: TBA (shorter event)
- Easter in the Hirschstetten gardens: April 8th to 10th
- Michaelerplatz: March 24th to April 10th
Dates for later years remain, obviously, unconfirmed, but here’s my rough guess for the main ones:
- March 16/17 to around April 1 (in 2024)
- April 5/6 to around April 21 (in 2025)
- March 21/22 to around April 6 (in 2026)
Opening hours
(Entrance to the Am Hof Easter market)
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 a 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 can continue until 9pm
The closest of the big markets to the traditional centre of town: just a short walk up from Stephansdom cathedral. Like Schönbrunn, good for gifts and handicrafts (the Am Hof market normally has a special collection of art and craft booths).
Stay a little later if you’re eating or drinking: the many culinary booths usually remain open until an hour after the other stalls close for the day.
Freyung
- 10am to 8pm
The place for decorated eggs thanks to the traditional central stall with its crates of painted eggshells. Cosy location all along one side of the ancient Schottenkirche church. Also normally has an organic farmers’ market attached.
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
- Hours are TBA for the next edition of 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. Great for regional products (and produce).
The event also offers a rare chance to see inside this centuries-old palais.
Kalvarienbergfest
- 10am to 6pm
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. Easily reached from the central Schottentor station on the tram, though.
Hirschstetten
- The market opens from 9am to 6pm on all three days
I’ve not visited this one yet, but the location for this short market is rather nice (if a little far away from the usual tourist paths).
Michaelerplatz
- 10am to 8pm
Another smaller market I’ve not visited yet, but intend to this year. The Michaelerplatz square marks one side of the Hofburg palace complex and is about as central as it gets.