Updated October 2026. Dates and hours are for the 2026/27 season.
Short answer: Vienna’s six big Christmas markets in 2026: Schönbrunn Palace opens first (6 Nov to 6 Jan 2027), then Rathausplatz, Spittelberg and Art Advent at Karlsplatz (all from 13 Nov), the Freyung (from 14 Nov) and the K&K market at Belvedere (20 Nov to 31 Dec). All six are free to enter.
Vienna is the big Christmas trip in our family’s dreams, the one we save up for. From our village on the Tyrol border it’s a long day across Austria, so when people ask me how to plan it, I start with the same advice: give Vienna at least two evenings, because six big markets won’t fit in one. Here’s every date and opening hour for 2026, which markets I’d pick with kids, and how to link them on the U-Bahn and trams.
Season
6 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027
First to open
Schönbrunn, Fri 6 Nov
Biggest
Rathausplatz, 13 Nov – 26 Dec
Open after Christmas
Schönbrunn (to 6 Jan), Belvedere (to 31 Dec)
Entry
Free at all six
Getting around
U-Bahn and trams
Vienna Christmas markets 2026 at a glance
| Market | 2026 dates | Daily hours | Christmas Eve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schönbrunn Palace | 6 Nov – 6 Jan 2027 | 10:00–21:00 (10:00–19:00 from 25 Dec) | 10:00–16:00 |
| Rathausplatz (City Hall) | 13 Nov – 26 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | 10:00–18:30 |
| Spittelberg | 13 Nov – 23 Dec | Mon–Fri 14:00–21:30, Sat/Sun 11:00–21:30 | (ends 23 Dec) |
| Art Advent, Karlsplatz | 13 Nov – 23 Dec | 12:00–20:00 | (ends 23 Dec) |
| Old Viennese Market, Freyung | 14 Nov – 23 Dec | 10:00–21:00 | (ends 23 Dec) |
| K&K Market, Belvedere | 20 Nov – 31 Dec | Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–21:00 | 11:00–17:00 |
Hours are as published by the organizers in October 2026. They sometimes change, so it’s smart to check the official site the week you go.
Which Vienna Christmas market is the best?
They’re all worth seeing, and each one has its own personality. If you only have one evening, I’d do Rathausplatz for the big, glowing classic. If you’re traveling with kids, Schönbrunn is my top pick, because you get a palace, rides and skating all in one courtyard. If you like crafts and quieter lanes, go to Spittelberg or Karlsplatz.
Rathausplatz: Vienna’s biggest market
13 November – 26 December 2026, daily 10:00–22:00, Christmas Eve 10:00–18:30.
This is the one on the postcards: rows of huts in front of the Gothic City Hall, with the trees of the Rathauspark lit up behind it. The park turns into the Eistraum, an ice-skating path that stays open until 6 January 2027, and there’s a kids’ area plus the Herzerlbaum, a tree hung with glowing hearts.
Getting there: U2 to Rathaus, or trams 1, 71 or D.
My tip: Weekends after dark are the most popular time. A weekday afternoon gives you more room at the stalls, and if you stay until the lights come on, you get both.
Schönbrunn Palace: the best one for kids
6 November 2026 – 6 January 2027. Daily 10:00–21:00 until 23 December, Christmas Eve 10:00–16:00, then 10:00–19:00 from 25 December.
About 90 huts fill the main courtyard (the Ehrenhof) in front of the yellow palace. For families, this one is hard to beat:
- A skating rink with skate rental in sizes 27 to 46, and free sliding aids for little ones who aren’t ready for skates yet.
- Rides: a kids’ Ferris wheel, a little train and a carousel. Tickets are sold on site only.
- Curling lanes (Eisstockschießen, the Austrian take on curling). They’re popular, so the organizer recommends reserving online ahead, and reservations can’t be canceled.
- Practical bits: toilets and baby-changing next to the straw maze in the courtyard, and four cash machines on site.
New for 2026/27 is a panorama terrace with a photo point and its own bar, open to everyone unless there’s a private event.
Getting there: U4 to Schönbrunn or Hietzing. Both are about a 600 m walk; Hietzing (through the Engelstor gate) is usually the less crowded one. Trams 10 and 60 and bus 10A stop at Schloss Schönbrunn.
Good to know: dogs aren’t allowed anywhere on the palace grounds (assistance dogs are welcome), and bikes and scooters have to stay outside.
K&K Christmas Market at Belvedere
20 November – 31 December 2026. Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00–21:00, 24 and 31 December 11:00–17:00.
A smaller market with up to 35 huts in front of the Upper Belvedere palace, themed on the old imperial days (K&K stands for “kaiserlich und königlich”, imperial and royal). It’s a pretty spot for photos, with the palace reflected in the pond, and it’s one of the few that stays open until New Year’s Eve.
Getting there: tram D to Schloss Belvedere.
Spittelberg: crafts in the old lanes
13 November – 23 December 2026. Mon–Fri 14:00–21:30, Sat, Sun and holidays 11:00–21:30.
Spittelberg is a small quarter of narrow Biedermeier lanes in the 7th district, and at Christmas the stalls line the cobblestones. It’s known for handmade crafts and has a program for kids. It opens in the afternoon on weekdays, so plan it as an evening stop.
Art Advent at Karlsplatz
13 November – 23 December 2026, daily 12:00–20:00.
The arts-and-crafts market in front of St. Charles Church (Karlskirche), with its big green dome. All the food and drink here is certified organic, and there’s a straw play area where little ones can burrow and climb while you browse. It closes a bit earlier than the others, at 20:00.
Old Viennese Christmas Market at the Freyung
14 November – 23 December 2026, daily 10:00–21:00.
A traditional market on the Freyung square in the old town, with music and puppet theater on its own stage every day. It’s central and easy to combine with a walk through the inner city.
Getting there: U3 to Herrengasse or U2 to Schottentor.
How to see several markets in one evening
The markets are close enough that you can link two or three by public transport:
- The classic evening: Freyung in the late afternoon, then walk or take the U2 from Schottentor one stop to Rathaus for the big market after dark.
- Crafts and churches: Karlsplatz at lunchtime or early afternoon, then Spittelberg when it opens up in the afternoon.
- A palace day with kids: Schönbrunn in the morning or early afternoon (skating and rides), then back into town on the U4.
- After Christmas: Schönbrunn (until 6 January) and Belvedere (until 31 December) are your best bets, and the Rathauspark ice path runs until 6 January.
Tips for the Vienna markets with kids
- Kinderpunsch (the alcohol-free hot punch for kids) is sold at most drinks stands, so the kids get a mug too. Kinderpunsch is a big favorite in our family.
- The mug deposit (Pfand): hot drinks come in a mug with a deposit. Hand it back for your money, or keep it as a souvenir.
- Bring some cash for the smaller stalls, even though many take cards.
- Dress warm. You’ll be outside for hours, and Vienna evenings in December are cold. Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung (there’s no bad weather, only the wrong clothes).
- 8 December is a public holiday in Austria, so expect it to be one of the most popular days of the season.
Vienna Christmas markets 2026: FAQ
When do the Vienna Christmas markets open in 2026?
Schönbrunn Palace opens first, on Friday 6 November 2026. Rathausplatz, Spittelberg and Art Advent at Karlsplatz open on 13 November, the Freyung on 14 November and the Belvedere market on 20 November.
Which Vienna Christmas markets are open after Christmas?
Schönbrunn stays open until 6 January 2027 (daily 10:00–19:00 from 25 December), the Belvedere market until 31 December and Rathausplatz until 26 December. The Eistraum ice path in the Rathauspark runs until 6 January.
Are the Vienna Christmas markets free?
Yes, entry to all six big markets is free. You only pay for food, drinks, rides, skating and the curling lanes.
Which Vienna Christmas market is best for kids?
Schönbrunn, in my opinion: it has a skating rink with skate rental, free sliding aids for small kids, a kids’ Ferris wheel, a little train and a carousel. Rathausplatz is great too, with its kids’ area and the Eistraum ice path.
Are dogs allowed at the Schönbrunn Christmas market?
No. Dogs aren’t allowed anywhere on the Schönbrunn palace grounds, except assistance dogs.
Read next
- Austria Christmas markets 2026: all 34 markets
- Salzburg Christmas market 2026
- Innsbruck Christmas markets 2026
- Krampus runs in Austria 2026
Frohe Weihnachten (merry Christmas), and Pfiat di,
Brian
Sources (checked 19–21 October 2026)
- Rathausplatz: christkindlmarkt.at; wien.gv.at/freizeit/privatmaerkte; wien.info
- Schönbrunn (hours, transport, rink, rides, dogs, terrace): weihnachtsmarkt-schoenbrunn.at/wissenswertes
- Belvedere K&K: kkweihnachtsmarkt.at; wien.gv.at
- Spittelberg: spittelberg.at
- Art Advent Karlsplatz: karlsplatz.org; wien.info
- Freyung: altwiener-markt.at/christmas
None