A bleary-eyed Vienna stumbles out of Christmas to find itself clutching yet another glass of seasonal punch in one hand and, in the other, a plastic pig holding a four-leaf clover. The New Year markets are upon us.
- Traditionally open from Dec 26 to early Jan
- Full of arts, crafts, food, and drink
- What opens (and when) changes each year
- Usually a continuation of a Christmas market
- Find a classical concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
Silvestermärkte 2025/2026
(A Silvestermarkt on Michaelerplatz)
Imagine the Christmas markets, then take away a few decorations and replace them with lucky charms. That, in a nutshell, is it.
These days, all the big New Year markets (German: Silvestermarkt or Neujahrsmarkt) work like that: a Christmas market simply continues after December 26th. Most times they even keep the same name.
You often find little to no difference between the two seasons, but the selection of wares may change slightly to reflect the New Year theme.
Inevitably, these year-end markets lack the characteristic advent flair that comes with the timing of their tinselled predecessors.
That said, failing to quite live up to the Christmas spirit is hardly a disgrace, and most New Year markets still glow with the same good cheer and quality stands.
So, if you want to while away the time before (and sometimes after) the New Year celebrations, then pop into a market to enjoy roasted almonds or fried sausages while you browse the collective endeavours of all those artists and artisans.
Which Silvestermarkt should you visit?
The answer depends on which markets open. While the Christmas market scene remains fairly steady, recent years have seen the locations of New Year markets chop and change.
At the time of writing, we have confirmed dates for…
Schönbrunn
(The market at night)
One seasonal market that makes a reliable annual appearance is the one outside Schönbrunn palace. This high-class event always tops my personal list of favourites and makes a good combination with an evening palace concert.
In 2025/2026, the Christmas market basically continues until Jan 6th, 2025. The market fills the main courtyard of the Habsburg palace; the location makes a fabulous setting, especially in the twilight hours.
Last year’s market was the first under new organisers. If you’re interested, you can also read a review of the old seasonal market.
Riesenradplatz
(The giant Ferris wheel in past New Year colours)
Like Schönbrunn, another dependable option for the New Year is the Wintermarkt on the Riesenradplatz. This continues through to January 6th in the 2025/2026 season.
The booths sit at the entrance to the massive Prater entertainment complex and almost under the iconic giant ferris wheel (which looks wonderful if lit up at night and opens late for rides).
Largely food and drink only, here, with a particularly local feel to proceedings that includes live music many evenings.
Last season
As well as the two markets above, the 2024/2025 season also brought us…
Belvedere
(Another one known for its glorious setting)
The excellent Belvedere Christmas market stayed open through to December 31st last time out.
Upper Belvedere palace provides a rather elegant baroque background to proceedings, especially in the evening thanks to the tasteful lighting. Be sure to get a photo from the southern edge of the lake (trust me on this).
I’m expecting this to repeat in 2025/2026, but I await confirmation of dates.
Maria-Theresien-Platz
(The building behind is the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Christmas market here also continued until December 31st last time out, but with different opening times in its post-Christmas New Year version.
Around 70 stands typically offer a nice variety of wares to sell at this super central location among the historical architecture of the Naturhistorisches and Kunsthistorisches museums on Maria-Theresien-Platz square.
This one takes a break in 2025/2026, though, thanks to construction work on the host square.
Markets from previous New Years
Going back further than a year, other markets also fed and entertained visitors across the New Year period. Check locally to see if they reappear for 2025/2026.
The Gourmetmarkt
(A glass roof keeps rain away)
A space next to the state opera house had a small gourmet Advent market which traditionally extended through into the night of December 31st. A place to pick up your prosciutto and parmesan before downing a glass of sparkling wine.
The Gourmetmarkt missed the last couple of years, but I hope for a return at some point.
Michaelerplatz
(The square with the Hofburg behind)
Another historic location, this time in front of the Habsburg’s Hofburg complex in the very centre of Vienna. A small collection of striking white stands with food, drink, goods and New Year items.
Like all the New Year markets mentioned, the k.u.k Neujahrsmarkt also followed on from a Christmas equivalent.
Rathausplatz
(A source of supplies for the surrounding party)
The square in front of city hall traditionally hosts New Year’s Eve celebrations as part of the formal Silvesterpfad entertainment trail.
Pre-COVID (which feels like a million years ago), seventy market booths also turned up to pave the way toward the midnight festivities, with over half just there to see you had enough to eat and drink. Most of the rest sold New Year knickknacks and party gear.
Other activities
Vienna at New Year offers more than just the markets, of course. For major event and activity suggestions, see my New Year’s Eve overview.