Vienna’s Festive season officially Starts Today

PERLA -- Vienna’s festive season officially begins today as the city’s earliest Christmas markets open, ushering in weeks of seasonal stalls, punch stands, and traditional crafts throughout the Austrian capital.

Although some markets welcome visitors in early November, MeinBezirk reported that most of Vienna’s traditional Christkindlmärkte open around November 13. Among the first to launch on November 6 are the markets at Stephansplatz, open daily from 11 a.m. to 21 p.m., and the expansive market set against Schloss Schönbrunn, which offers 90 stalls, curling facilities, and a Ferris wheel, operating from 10 a.m. to 21 p.m.

More venues join the festive calendar as the month progresses. Blumengärten Hirschstetten opens its floral Christmas exhibition and light installations on November 12, welcoming visitors Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m. The celebrations broaden considerably on November 13, when markets open at Rathausplatz, the Karlskirche Resselpark craft market, Altes AKH, Spittelberg, and Türkenschanzpark. A new venue at Schwarzenbergplatz also joins the lineup, featuring light installations at the Hochstrahlbrunnen.