When do the Easter markets open?

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

When do the 2023 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 opened from the start of April and finished April 18th and 19th.

Precise dates for 2023 have yet to be announced at the time of writing but expect something like March 25/26 (?) to April 10/11. Once official websites post dates, I’ll add them here:

• Schönbrunn: TBA
• Am Hof: TBA
• Freyung: TBA
• Kalvarienbergfest: TBA
• Palais Niederösterreich: TBA (shorter event)
• Easter in the Hirschstetten gardens: TBA (shorter event)

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)

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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

• TBA (was 10am to 6.30pm each day last time out)

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

TBA but here are the times from the last market:

• 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. 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

• TBA but was 10am to 7.30pm last time out

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 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. The event also offers a rare chance to see inside this centuries-old palais.

Kalvarienbergfest

Again, TBA but the last event had the following hours:

• 10am to 6pm
• 9am to 6pm (weekends and public holidays)

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

TBA but the previous market opened from 10am 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 off the usual tourist paths).