Salzburg Christmas market © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets of Salzburg

Salzburg’s Christmas markets have been ranked among the most beautiful around the world. Discover the city’s markets, stroll around the illuminated and decorated streets and revel in the festive atmosphere. Get into the Christmas spirit with roasted almonds and chestnuts, mulled wine and Christmas cookies. Find the perfect unique gift from a broad selection of handiworks from local artisans: blown glass, sheep’s milk soaps, bee’s wax candles, woodworks, needlework, clothing, shoes, hats, jewelry and art. Most Christmas markets open at the end of November. Advent events round off Christmas season in Salzburg.

Traditions, crafts and live music as well as special children's programs offer a varied hustle and bustle at the Christmas market. Experience the Christkind, scary Christmas traditions like Krampus & Perchten and live nativity scenes with animals up close. Culinary stalls with punch, mulled wine, chestnuts and other delicacies provide refreshment in between.

Panorama Tours gives you an overview of the most beautiful and important Advent markets in the city of Salzburg:

Christmas market at Residenz and Cathedral Square

21 November 2024 - 01 Januar 2025

This Christmas market has been a staple during Christmas time in Salzburg since the 15th century and ranked among the most beautiful markets in the world.

Enjoy a variety of delicacies from mulled wine to roasted chestnuts and shop for traditional handicraft, advent wreaths, Christmas decorations and presents.

This market also offers a special treat for the ears. Listen to the melodies sounding from a church spire across the Residenz square or the performances of traditional Christmas songs of various choirs from Salzburg and its surroundings

The christmas market stretches from Residenzplatz across the cathedral arches to Domplatz and into the Old Town. At Mozartplatz, you can ice skate directly in the city center and the Children's Christmas World offers the opportunity to meet the Christkind.

Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday 10.00 am - 8.30 pm
Friday 10.00 am - 9.00 pm
Saturday 9.00 am - 9.00 pm
Sunday and bank holidays 9.00 am - 8.30 pm

Please find further information and exceptions to the opening hours on the website of Salzburg Christmas market

Salzburg Christmas market © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
© Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

Hellbrunner Adventzauber

21 November - 24 December 2024
(closed on Mondays)

Enjoy the romantic atmosphere at the Adventzauber (Advent Magic) market in the courtyard of Hellbrunn Palace. Enter a fairtytale forest of more than 400 decorated fir trees. The different stalls provide a variety of delicious and traditional food and drink with several culinary highlights.

For our youngest visitors the Hellbrunner Adventzauber offers an enchanting Christmas world for children with a petting zoo, a Christmas train, pony riding, a Christmas bakery and a campfire. Those who have already written their letter to Santa (or the Austrian equivalent the Christkind) can post them at the Christmas post office. On Krampus Day (December 10), children can put on the Krampus masks themselves, try on the bells and learn more about the tradition surrounding the spooky custom.

This Christmas market is conveniently situated on the direct bus line 25, which links the city of Salzburg with Hellbrunn Palace. More active visitors can also reach the Palace by taking a walk along the Hellbrunn Alley. If you prefer a personal transfer from your hotel to the Hellbrunner Adventzauber please contact Sarah Marie Herzl via e-mail or call us at +43 662 / 88 32 11 0.

Opening hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 1.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Saturday | Sunday | bank holiday: 10.00 am - 8.00 pm
24 December: 10.00 am - 2.00 pm

Please find further information on the website of Hellbrunner Adventzauber

Adventzauber Hellbrunn christmas market © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH
© Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

Advent at Fortress Hohensalzburg

22 November - 22 December 2024

Visit this romantic Christmas market in the courtyard of the Fortress Hohensalzburg, the world-famous landmark of Salzburg. Enjoy the genuine charm of this extraordinary location. In addition, Christmas fortress concerts are held at the castle in December, which are particularly popular with music lovers.

The highest situated Advent market in Salzburg offers a fine selection of delicacies, local handicraft, gift ideas and an entertainment program. With the keyword "Christmas Market" at the ticket office, you can visit the Christmas market at Hohensalzburg Fortress free of charge!

Another highlight are the more than one hundred traditional decorative Moravian stars that bathe the Festungsgasse and the castle courtyard in an atmospheric sea of light.

Opening hours:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
11.00 am – 7.00 pm


Please find more information on the website of Advent at Fortress Hohensalzburg

Advent at Fortress Hohensalzburg © Salzburger Burgen und Schlösser
© Salzburger Burgen und Schlösser

Christmas market Mirabell

23 November - 24 December 2023

The smallest and coziest Christmas market in town is just in front of Mirabell Palace in the centre of Salzburg. For all those walking from the train station to the old town this market is directly en route.

The Christmas market is also located right next to the Panorama Tours bus terminal, so a visit is a great way to pass the time before or after your sightseeing tour with Panorama Tours.

Get a warm drink and a snack and enjoy the festive atmosphere!

Opening hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm
Friday - Saturday: 10 am - 9 pm
24 December: 10 am - 3 pm

Please find further information on the website of Christmas market Mirabell

Christmas market Mirabell © Weihnachtsmarkt am Mirabellplatz
© Weihnachtsmarkt am Mirabellplatz

Christmas market St. Jakob am Thurn

30 November - 22 December 2024

Experience one of the most beautiful Christmas markets of Salzburg, just a few kilometers outside the city in the small town St. Jakob am Thurn.

Open on every Advent weekend, you can stroll around the Christmas market and sample local delicacies, buy handicraft and gifts or enjoy the readings and concerts in the local church. The small Christmas market on the mountain is a real highlight and the small pond in St. Jakob can be circumnavigated in a short walk.

Children and animal lovers can also take part in the guided alpaca hikes, which start from the Christmas market.

Another highlight of this Christmas market are the alpacas you can join on a casual hike around the lake.

Opening hours:
Saturday and Sunday
2.00 - 7.00 pm

Please find more information on the website of Christmas market St. Jakob

Christmas market St. Jakob am Thurn © Christmas market St. Jakob am Thurn
© Christmas market St. Jakob am Thurn

Sternadvent with Winter Market

21 November 2024 - 6 January 2025

Christmas time really begins when the „Sternadvent“ (Starry Advent) market opens its gates. For a few weeks, the Sternarkaden (starry arcades) around the Sternbräu, lovingly decorated to look their very best, house this market that is the insider tip among Salzburg’s Christmas markets

Even from the distance, the Christmassy smells of roasted almonds and chestnuts, spicy mulled wine and hot punch lure visitors to the truly special Christmas market, the ꞌSternadventꞌ in Salzburg’s old town. A magical place emerges between the historic streets Getreidegasse and Griesgasse, lovingly decorated to create an enchanting atmosphere. The Sternadvent market is the place to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones, enjoy delicacies, meet friends and revel in the Christmas spirit. Children (and adults) can look forward to the living nativity scene with sheep and bunnies.

A whole range of events and the many melodies and harmonies of Christmas music call old customs and traditions to life again. This is where children and adults can experience a Christmas time that is truly tranquil and festive.

Opening hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 11.00 am - 7.00 pm
Friday - Saturday: 11.00 am - 8.30 pm
24 and 31 December: 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
1 to 6 January: 11.00 am - 6.00 pm

Please find further information on the website of Sternadvent

Sternadvent © Sternadvent
© Sternadvent

Plainer Christkindlmarkt

22 November to 22 December 2024

The Plainer Christkindlmarkt in Maria Plain, near Salzburg, is taking place for the first time in 2023, offering a selection of crafts and culinary delights. You'll be welcomed by a festive atmosphere in the outdoor area of the Hotel Gasthof Maria Plain, with the most beautiful view of the city of Salzburg accompanied by idyllic music.

Golden lights, adorned Christmas trees, and traditional wooden huts create a special atmosphere on the Plainberg. You can indulge in homemade sausages, baked potatoes, hearty stews, sweet Kaiserschmarrn, and other delicacies. In addition to mulled wine, hot chocolate, and punch, there's a sparkling wine hut with Prosecco, Champagne, and small snacks, perfect for your Christmas celebrations with a cozy aperitif outdoors.

All exhibitors come from the region and offer handmade products suitable for special Christmas gifts. Additionally, there is a daily event as part of the Christkindlmarkt, such as Christmas bands or traditional bell ringing. There's also a program for families, including a campfire barbecue, visits from St. Nicholas and Krampus, a Christkindlpostamt (Santa's post office), and much more.

For those arriving by car, there are free parking spaces at the base of the Plainberg and right at the Hotel Gasthof Maria Plain. Public transportation is also an option, with the local train and bus line 6 connecting you to Maria Plain, followed by a short walk. There, you can visit the Plainer Kreuzweg and the Pilgrimage Basilica Maria Plain, which has a special charm during the Christmas season.

Opening hours:
Friday: 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Saturday: 2.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Sunday: 11.30 am to 8.00 pm

For further information, please visit the website of Plainer Christkindlmarkt

The Maria Plain pilgrimage church in Salzburg in the evening with Christmas lights

FAQs Christmas Markets in Salzburg

In Salzburg, you can choose from a variety of Christmas markets in different but equally appealing locations. Next to the cathedral or the Mirabell Palace, up at the Fortress, at the zoo or in the alleys of Salzburg’s old town – the choice is yours.

Most Christmas markets open on the first weekend of Advent at the end of November. Opening hours vary from market to market.

The Christmas markets all offer a range of different food and drink. Mulled wine and hot punch – non-alcoholic for the younger ones, roasted chestnuts and almonds, and many other different delicious and local snacks are available at the many stalls.

(as of: April 2023 - subject to alterations)