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 December 26th to early January
- Full of arts, crafts, food, and drink
- What opens (and when) changes each year
- Often a simple continuation of a Christmas market
- Book a concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
Silvestermärkte in 2024
(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.
At most markets that literally is what happens: a Christmas market morphs into a New Year’s market (German: Silvestermarkt or Neujahrsmarkt) more or less overnight.
In such cases, you often find little to no difference between the two, but the selection of stalls and/or wares may change to reflect the new season.
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 versions is hardly a disgrace, and most New Year markets still glow with good cheer and quality wares.
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 (early August, 2024), this much I know…
Schönbrunn
(The market at night, though energy issues might affect the amount of lighting this winter)
One seasonal market that makes its reliable annual appearance is the one at Schönbrunn. This high-class event normally tops my personal list of favourites and makes a good combination with an evening palace concert.
New organisers take control for 2024/2025, so we’ll see what changes. The market remains open until Jan 6th, 2025, likely as a continuation of the Christmas market.
In previous years, this New Year market filled part of the main courtyard of the Habsburg palace; the location made a gorgeous setting, and the quality of the stalls reflected the surroundings.
Maria-Theresien-Platz
(The building behind is the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum)
The Christmas market here remains open until December 31st, “changing” into a New Year market after Christmas.
Around 70 stands typically offer a nice variety of wares to sell at this super location among the historical architecture of the Naturhistorisches and Kunsthistorisches museums on Maria-Theresien-Platz square. Pop into the latter beforehand for the special Rembrandt exhibition.
Belvedere
(Another one known for its glorious setting)
The excellent Belvedere Christmas market also “morphs” into a New Year market through to December 31st.
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).
Riesenradplatz
(The giant Ferris wheel in past New Year colours)
Like Schönbrunn, another dependable option is the Wintermarkt on the Riesenradplatz. This actually opens mid-November in 2024 and continues through to January 6th, 2025.
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, too, for rides).
Largely food and drink only, here, with a particularly local feel to proceedings.
The Gourmetmarkt
(A glass roof keeps rain away)
A pedestrianised road leading away from the state opera house has a small gourmet Advent market which extends 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 last year because of local building work, but returns in 2024.
Markets from previous New Years
In past years, other markets also fed and entertained visitors across the New Year period. Check locally or nearer the time to see if they reappear.
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)
Pre-COVID, the square in front of city hall hosted the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve party and community waltz as part of the formal Silvesterpfad celebrations.
At the last full event, seventy market booths paved 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.