As Vienna becomes more multicultural and multifaith, it’s tricky to talk about Christmas traditions. But the big moment of celebration is traditionally Christmas Eve ( Heiligenabend) and not Christmas Day ( Weihnachtstag) itself.
Vienna Christmas markets dates 2019. From 15 November to 23 December. Every day from 11:00 AM to 09:00 PM. 24 and 25 December – open Weihnachtsmärkte at Rathaus, Stephansplatz, Belvedere Palace, Maria-Theresien Platz, Schönbrunn Palace, Prater.
In 1298 Albert I of Germany granted the privilege of holding a December market to the city. During the years new ones appeared turning the city into a magical place during Christmas time. There are 12 main Christmas markets in Vienna.
A huge number of folk normally spend December 31st on the Silvesterpfad. Essentially, Vienna builds a trail of locations through the city centre that includes temporary stages and all sorts of entertainment: from public ballroom dancing lessons to DJs and funk bands.
Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.
The Advent period in Austria is also known as “the most peaceful time of the year. “ It is a time of old customs: baking biscuits, putting up Christmas decorations, singing Christmas carols and many other much-loved traditions are shared by families in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Vienna SchnitzelThe national dish of Austria is called Vienna Schnitzel or Wienerschnitzel. It is made of a layer of thin bread along with a pan-fried a veal cutlet.
Vienna fills with the sound of Advent concerts in December, including special “Strauss and Mozart” Christmas performances. I list many of the concert highlights here. For a particularly advent atmosphere, take in a church recital or concert.
Six unique traditions that Austrians love to loveEaster Egg battle ('Eierpecken')Autumn Cow train ('Almabtried')First day of school cone (Schultüte)Stealing the Bride ('Brautraub')Lead pouring, Molybdomancy ('Bleigießen')Scary mask processions ('Perchtenlaufen' or 'Krampuslauf')
Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”
Here are the top 8 Austrian Foods you absolutely need to eat in Vienna:#1 Mozartkugel.#2 Sachertorte.#3 Strudel.#4 Kaiserschmarrn.#5 Wiener Schnitzel.#6 Tafelspitz.#8 Gulasch.
Tafelspitz is generally considered to be the national dish of Austria, and it a boiled beef broth which is then served with horseradish, root vegetables, spices and minced apples.
The classic Christmas dinner in Austria therefore consists of carp fried in butter, along with a variety of vegetables and potatoes. This is usually followed by Sachertorte, Vienna's most famous cake, or cookies such as vanillekipferl (crescent-shaped biscuits made with nuts).
Here are our favorite ideas for Christmas traditions that you can make your own. Take a hike. RUSLANDASHINSKY/GETTY IMAGES. ... Dress up your pet. PATRYK_KOSMIDER/GETTY IMAGES. ... Make homemade hot chocolate. ... Go ice-skating. ... Go caroling. ... Build a snow person. ... Host an open house. ... Watch a tree lighting.More items...•
In Austria, the Santa Claus equivalent is St. Nicholas.
What to do on Christmas Eve in ViennaVisit a concert. ... Hop on and off a Nostalgic train (Nostalgiezug), exploring Vienna and its surroundings! ... Have a lavish dinner in some of the Viennese best restaurants. ... If you want a white Christmas… go for an excursion to Semmering!More items...•
The Viennese themselves might very well consider one of the various types of sausage as a meal in its own right, often consumed at the many sausage stands found throughout the city. ( More on sausages)
The Viennese version has the pork roasting in a shallow vegetable broth most of the time (into which you also throw onions and carrots). The perfect Schweinsbraten develops a crusty crackling surface seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and cumin (and possibly paprika and mustard).
The sauce makes a dish in its own right when served with, for example, pasta. Or it might be used as a simple complement to cuts of meat or heavy dumplings.
But gift-giving is a central part of the story of Christmas.
The Viennese have been setting them up since the year 1296 when the Emperor decided that the markets were needed in order to guarantee sufficient supplies to the population during Christmas.
BURT WOLF: Christmas is celebrated in cities throughout the world, but what takes place in the Austrian city of Vienna is unique. These are the darkest days of the year and the need to be reminded that the sun will return goes back to prehistoric times. The ancient Romans handled the problem with the Feast of the Unconquered Sun, which declared that sun filled days were just around the corner.
Some things about Christmas are the same everywhere: Enjoying the first snow, experiencing nature on winter walks or days out, wishing for presents.
During the Advent time, folkloristic figures may suddenly knock on your front door. Friendly St. Nicholas and his sinister companion Krampus will come to your home to ask which children have been good this year.
Every year from 24 December to 2 February (Candlemas Day), farmers and nativity scene carvers in SalzburgerLand open their doors to the public, presenting their artistically-made family cribs. It is also tradition to lovingly make and continuously build “community nativity scenes”.
The Christmas tree plays a very important role, and every town sets up its own Christmas tree. A traditional tree is decorated with gold and silver ornaments, stars made out of straw, sweets, and candy wrapped in tinfoil, gilded nuts, decorated ginger bread cookies etc. On Christmas Eve, shops close at around 6 p.m.
Enjoy Austrian Christmas atmosphere at home with these wonderfully light biscuits.
The Christmas markets dominate the Viennese December. They open in the second half of November and stay open until at least December 23rd (and often later). These are not gimmicks to keep visitors amused, but long-established traditional markets popular with locals, too.
December is winter time in Austria. And the Christmas markets are at their best at dusk and later, so you don’t even have the sun to keep you warm.
In recent times, some of the more prestigious art museums have saved up their best exhibitions for the later part of the year, presumably to catch the December crowds.
The Eislaufverein holds a special place in the history of the city (and of ice skating) and the rink normally opens throughout December.
The huge Vienna Ice World complex doesn’t normally open until January. But that’s not the only famous open-air ice rink in Vienna. For example: The Eislaufverein holds a special place in the history of the city (and of ice skating) and the rink normally opens throughout December.
The equally intriguing prospect of an exhibition on Wittgenstein at the Leopold Museum. This focuses on his photography skills rather than his philosophy
Yes, you read that right. Should you wish to catch the prestigious and globally-recognised January 1st New Year’s Concert from the Wiener Philharmoniker orchestra, you can do so in December. The orchestra plays the full programme on December 30th and December 31st, too.
Featuring a petting zoo and craft tents, Art Advent Karlsplatz is the best Christmas market in Vienna for kids. The gorgeous Baroque Karlskirche all lit-up with a spiderweb of fairy lights provides a truly festive atmosphere. The pond in front of the church is dried and filled with hay and there are some pretty cute sheep and pigs you can pet.
The Christmas markets in Vienna are a centuries-old tradition. In 1298 Albert I of Germany granted the privilege of holding a December market to the city. During the years new ones appeared turning the city into a magical place during Christmas time.
The pond in front of the church is dried and filled with hay and there are some pretty cute sheep and pigs you can pet. Art Advent Karlsplatz is the place to go if you also look for organic food and handicrafts made by local artists. Christkindlmarkt am Karlsplatz Opening times. From 20 November to 23 December.
Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg is located in the artsy district of Neubau. It spreads over three tiny cobblestoned streets in a charming area full of Biedermeier townhouses. The festively decorated Schrankgasse, Spittelberggasse and Gutenberggasse are the perfect settings for a romantic walk.
Winter is the best time to enjoy some spa relaxation. Spa Therme Wien features 26 naturally heated pools and 24 Finnish saunas and steam baths. Plus, there is a restaurant and even a library!
It is located between the impressive twin buildings of the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art. With its more than 70 booths, it’s one of the largest Christmas markets. It’s the ideal place if you look for original gift ideas or to taste some culinary delights. Plus, it is open longer than most.
At Am Hof Advent Market you’ll find delicate jewellery, ceramics, leather items and many other handmade goods. As it comes to food, it offers a great variety of ham, sausages, baked potatoes and waffles.
Easter traditions in Vienna. No surprises, here. The main Easter traditions in Austria and Vienna revolve around eggs. Eating them is, of course, one Easter activity, but eggs also form the centrepiece of seasonal arts and crafts. For example:
Decorating eggshells remains a popular tradition that dates back centuries. The egg’s contents are blown out, then the outside painted or otherwise coloured using beads, fabrics or whatever material catches your imagination.
The Easter market in Palais Niederösterreich is rather special, but only runs for two days.
March and April in Vienna can see warmth and bright sun, but also late flurries of snow. In 2021, for example, we had snow on April 6th (the day after Easter Monday). With Easter mid-April in 2022, we should see spring-like temperatures.
Oh, and technically it’s the Easter *hare*. The German word for the animal is Osterhase, which derives from Ostern (Easter) and Hase (hare).
Easter traditions. As far as Easter traditions go, you only need to know two words: eggs and rabbits. You paint, colour, decorate, hang up, or eat the eggs, and the Easter rabbit brings the things in the first place.
The Easter markets head up the list of seasonal attractions. Think of them as top-quality arts and crafts markets with a truck-load of eggs and several high-calorie pinches of local cuisine.
Easter food. (Easter chocolate, including some imports from the UK) There isn’t any. If you ignore the increase in the number of eggs appearing at mealtimes. At least, the seasonal cuisine is nothing like Christmas, with its wide range of advent specialties.
Easter in Vienna. So, Easter, the time of frolicking lambs and, wait…there are no lambs in Vienna (or Austria). Or very few – different country, different traditions. In fact, it’s the rabbits that rule the Easter menagerie – as you’ll notice if you enter any supermarket in the weeks leading up to the holiday.