Vienna is finalising its preparations to kick off its most festive season of the year. The first market to open its Christmas stalls today and serve the first mugs of punsch steam is Schönbrunn Palace, and Stephansplatz will open this weekend, on 8 November, and both will stay open until 6 January for the New Year’s crowd.  

On 14 November, the grand Christkindlmarkt at the Rathausplatz will be illuminated and run until 26 December. This year, the Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz marks its 50th year since shopkeepers opened their Christmas wooden stalls here for the first time.

By the second Advent weekend, the city feels like a constellation. According to the Vienna Chamber of Commerce (WKO), this year, about 14 official markets with over 900 stalls beckon across the districts, enough for a different wander every night.

The Vienna Christmas Market is regarded as one of the most beautiful and largest Christmas markets in Europe. Each year, countless visitors from around the world come to see and admire the traditional Christmas market.

Vienna’s economy booms during Advent. According to the public broadcaster ÖRF, in a typical recent year, the city recorded approximately 3.2 million overnight stays in November and December, with sales exceeding 270 million euros. 

Hotels, cafés, and taxis hum, and the fairy lights' nets extend extra hours into shopkeepers’ days. All that sparkle proves worthwhile. The Chamber of Commerce estimates market-side spending at nearly €140 million, excluding spending by visitors on rooms and dining. 

While Vienna is traditionally decorated with billions of lights, the city switched to LEDs long ago, reducing power costs by 80% compared to the old bulbs, with around 49,000 kWh spent, according to WKO.