The scent of hot chestnuts is wafting through the city’s streets surprisingly early this year. As early as November 6, 2026, the first two major Viennese Christmas markets will kick off the new season against an imperial backdrop. Anyone looking for handmade Christmas decorations or warm berry punch will benefit from significantly shorter wait times at the stalls during the first few days of November.
Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz kick things off
Two true staples of Vienna’s event calendar kick things off: the market in front of Schönbrunn Palace and the village at Stephansplatz. Both locations will reliably open their wooden huts to visitors on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Schönbrunn also has a new feature this year: for the first time, a dedicated panoramic terrace with a viewing platform offers a bird’s-eye view of the entire grounds. At St. Stephen’s Cathedral, meanwhile, around 40 select stalls line the base of the Gothic cathedral. Both locations begin serving food and drinks at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., respectively, making them ideal for a relaxed outdoor lunch break.
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The city’s largest market follows exactly seven days later, as scheduled. The official Vienna Christmas Market on Rathausplatz opens on November 13, 2026, complete with a spacious ice rink for skaters. On the same Friday, popular destinations such as the Spittelberg Arts and Crafts Market and the Art Advent at Karlsplatz will also open.
If you’re looking for an even more imperial setting, mark November 20, 2026, on your calendar. On this date, Belvedere Palace and the Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz—located between the two major museums—will open their doors. Thanks to this staggered schedule, you can enjoy the Viennese Advent season in peace and quiet—with free admission—even before the big December rush begins.
Imperial flair in front of Belvedere Palace
Everything at a glance:
🎅🏼Schönbrunn
Christmas Market November
6, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
🎄Stephansplatz
Christmas Market November
6, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
🎁 Belvedere
Christmas Market November
20, Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat, Sun, and holidays 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
💫 Maria-Theresien-Platz
Christmas Market November
20, Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat, Sun, and holidays 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
