Vienna’s Christmas market season is opening in stages, with the city’s largest market at Rathausplatz beginning Friday, November 13, 2026. Travelers arriving before then can visit markets that have already opened at Schönbrunn Palace and Stephansplatz; more central locations join the calendar over the following week. Planning around those staggered dates can help visitors choose an area that is actually open during their stay.

Vienna Christmas market dates to plan around

The Rathausplatz market runs from November 13 through December 26. Its listed hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with an earlier 6:30 p.m. close on December 24. The Vienna Ice World beside the market is scheduled to continue through January 6, 2027, though it closes on December 31.

Schönbrunn Palace’s market opened November 6 and is scheduled to remain through January 6. It is listed as open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with special hours on December 24 and from December 25 onward. In the city center, the market at Stephansplatz also opened November 6 and runs through December 26.

Several other central markets begin November 13: Am Hof, Spittelberg, Karlsplatz and Schwarzenbergplatz. The Old Viennese Christmas Market at Freyung starts November 14, while the Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz and the Belvedere Palace market begin November 20. Their closing dates vary, so check the individual venue before setting an itinerary.

A simple itinerary for different arrival dates

If you arrive before November 13: Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz are the confirmed options among the city’s better-known markets. Schönbrunn gives visitors a palace setting outside the central district; Stephansplatz is in the historic center. Check the official opening pages before traveling, especially if your visit falls near a holiday.

If you arrive November 13–19: Rathausplatz and several central markets join the schedule. Use the official city calendar to choose among Am Hof, Spittelberg, Karlsplatz and Schwarzenbergplatz, then check each market’s hours. The openings are spread across different locations rather than forming one single event area.

If you arrive November 20 or later: Maria-Theresien-Platz and Belvedere add more options. For a short stay, pick markets near the sights and neighborhoods already on your plans instead of trying to cover the whole city in one evening. The market calendar gives locations and hours, while the organizer pages provide current visit and access details.

Check holiday hours before you go

Christmas Eve is not a normal market day: several venues shorten their hours, and closing dates differ between locations. Some markets end before Christmas, others continue through December 26, and Schönbrunn and the Rathausplatz ice rink extend into January. Confirm the specific market’s official page on the day you plan to visit, and check current public-transport information for the route between locations.

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Sources: Vienna Tourist Board: Christmas markets, dates and hours; Rathausplatz market organizer: visit and access information; Schönbrunn Palace market: 2026/27 dates and hours.