Vienna · Austria
Old Viennese Christmas Market Freyung
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt auf der Freyung
14 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 Official
Official websiteDates and hours may change. Check them on the market's official site.
Key facts
| City | Vienna |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| Dates | 14 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 Official |
| Opening hours | Daily 10:00–21:00 |
| Official website | Official website |
| Map pin | 48.21162, 16.36519. Approximate location from the sources used for this page. |
About the market
The Old Viennese Christmas Market (Altwiener Christkindlmarkt) is held on the Freyung in Vienna's 1010 district. Its website gives the 2026 season as 14 November to 23 December, with the market open every day from 10:00 to 21:00. The sources say nothing about the market's origins or how big it is, so this text rests on the current programme. The season opens on 14 November at 17:00 with a ceremony that also presents a donation campaign for the foundation Stiftung Kindertraum. A stage on the market square hosts a daily Advent programme of music, puppet theatre and craft demonstrations. The demonstrations include woodturning, Advent wreath binding, candle art, glassblowing, carving and glass art. Other highlights are an Advent service with cathedral pastor Toni Faber, a dance for St Catherine's Day, and a children's programme with puppet shows, including a visit from Nikolaus on 7 December. From 21 to 23 December a gift-wrapping service raises money for the same foundation. Exhibitors offer homemade punch, sparkling wine, Austrian dishes, potato fritters and cheese specialities, as well as crafts. The Freyung can be reached by U-Bahn (U3 Herrengasse or U2 Schottentor), by bus or tram, or on foot in about ten minutes from Stephansplatz.
Sources: altwiener-markt.at.
About Vienna
Vienna is the capital and most populous city of Austria, with just over two million inhabitants in 2025, and it is also one of the country's nine states. It is described as Austria's cultural, economic and political centre. The city lies on the Danube at the eastern edge of the Vienna Woods. Its history reaches back to the Roman military camp of Vindobona in the 1st century. Vienna received city rights in 1221, and under the Habsburgs it became the seat of the Holy Roman emperors. It later became capital of the Austrian Empire. Today it hosts international organisations such as the United Nations, OPEC and the OSCE. Its historic centre was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Vienna is renowned for its musical heritage, having been home to composers including Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert and Johann Strauss I and II. It was also the home of Sigmund Freud. The historic centre has Baroque palaces and gardens and the 19th-century Ringstrasse, lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. Landmarks shown in the article include Schönbrunn Palace, Stephansdom, the State Opera, City Hall, the Neue Hofburg, Karlskirche and the Upper Belvedere. The Wikipedia text supplied contains no information on winter or Christmas in the city.
Sources: Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Photos
.jpg)
.jpg)
AIA Labs publishes this page as an independent guide. It is not the market's own website.