Christmas in Salzburg: Best Christmas Markets, Events & Austrian Traditions

Christmas in Salzburg is one of Europe's most magical Advent experiences. From late November until New Year's Day, the city comes alive with traditional Christmas markets, concerts, Krampus processions, festive food, and centuries-old customs. This guide covers the best events, local traditions, and practical tips for visiting Salzburg during the Christmas season.

Christmas Markets

Each year, one of Salzburg's communities or private landowners donates a magnificent fir tree to the city, while local schoolchildren create the traditional Christmas decorations. Most Advent festivities take place around Salzburg's Christmas markets.

Salzburg has six official Christmas markets, each offering its own unique atmosphere. The largest and most famous is the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz and Residenzplatz. Other popular markets can be found at Mirabellplatz, Alter Markt, the courtyard of Sternbräu, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and — my personal favorite — the enchanting Christmas market at Hellbrunn Palace.

The last weekend of November marks the beginning of the four-week Advent season. It is a time of repentance, reflection on our lives, and waiting for Christ's birth. In the past, it was a time of strict fasting. However, the Church no longer requires fasting before Christmas, so the markets are full of food and hot drinks.

Traditional Food & Drinks

On the city's main squares, near the cathedral, a cozy Christmas market draws locals and visitors who stroll to the sound of Christmas carols. Before the frost sets in, you can buy warm clothes, gifts for your friends and family, and a delicious and satisfying meal. Among the traditional dishes, you can try Salzburg potato soup in a bread bowl (Kartoffelsuppe), yeast-dough doughnuts with sauerkraut (Bauernkrapfen), various fried, boiled, and smoked sausages, baked potatoes with sour cream and bacon, sandwiches with lard and onions, as well as a variety of sweets.

Ice Skating & Winter Activities

After washing down a hearty meal with mulled wine or non-alcoholic baby punch, it's time for some exercise to get rid of those extra calories. On Mozart Square, in front of the monument to the great composer, there is an ice rink with skates for hire. And right near the Mozart skating rink, you'll find the incredible Museum of Christmas! It's open year-round and an absolute must-see!

To feast your eyes on the beautiful views of Salzburg, I recommend a hike up to Hohensalzburg Fortress. A leisurely walk takes about 30 minutes. From above, you will see the fabulous city of Salzburg and visit a fantastic Christmas market in the courtyard of the fortress.

Krampus & St. Nicholas

At the end of November and the beginning of December, you can visit the processions of mummers in scary devil costumes in the streets of the city. These are the Krampus, companions of St. Nicholas. Watching such processions is not for the faint-hearted. But there is also a children's version of the Krampus. Every year on St. Nicholas Day (December 6) at 16:00 on the Cathedral Square, Nikolo and Krampus come to children and give them gifts. Krampus behaves calmly so as not to scare anyone.

Read my complete guide to Krampus Runs in Salzburg, including procession dates, safety tips, and the history behind this unique Alpine tradition.

Advent Concerts

The Salzburger Adventsingen music festival takes place at the same time. On the weekends of Advent, a folk operetta is performed on the stage of the Festival Hall, based on the biblical story of Christmas. The Salzburg Folklore Choir accompanies the performance.

Silent Night

Just a few kilometers outside Salzburg, in the small village of Oberndorf, the Christmas carol Silent Night, Holy Night, was first performed in 1818! During the pre-Christmas period, many visitors flock to Oberndorf for its colorful Christmas market and the Nicholas Chapel, which honors the song's authors, Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber.

Read more: Silent Night Private Tour.

Perchten

December 21, the winter solstice, is the feast day of St. Thomas (Thomastag), the calendar beginning of winter, the shortest day, and the longest night. During the twelve days of the Rauhnächte (Rough Nights) between December 21 and January 1 (in some regions, December 24 to January 5), many rituals are performed, especially in rural areas. It is customary to burn incense in houses and barns. 

Scary creatures, Perchten, run through the towns and villages to drive away winter's evil spirits. Masquerades and theme nights are organized in bars and entertainment venues. Many visitors confuse Perchten with Krampus, although they represent different Alpine traditions and appear at different times of the winter season.

Christmas Shopping

December is attractive for its sales and significant discounts in shops. In the Old Town, there are dozens of shops of every kind and price range. There are also three large shopping malls in Salzburg: Europark, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Salzburg and Arena, which offer everything your heart desires.

Getreidegasse remains Salzburg's most famous shopping street during Advent.

Employees of companies usually receive double their salaries in December; employers organize a festive dinner for employees. Work colleagues meet for a get-together, exchanging symbolic gifts or participating in a Secret Santa game.

Christmas Eve Traditions

On the eve of Christmas, December 24, family members gather around a festive table. Poultry or fish dishes are served; for dessert, baked apples with cinnamon, strudel, or Kaiserschmarrn, a pancake-like dish. The most persistent go to church at midnight. After the service, people go home and spend the following two holidays with their loved ones. It is common to go skiing or sledding. Many leave the cities to visit their elderly relatives. December 26th is also a public holiday. In Austria, it is called Stephanitag, or St. Stephen's Day, to honor the first Christian martyr.

Read more: Public holidays in Austria.

At the end of this article, I would like to give you some advice. Christmas is a family holiday. Therefore, December 24, 25, and 26 are not the best times to go to Austria for fun and loud festivities. A lot of places stay closed. Almost all exciting events take place before and after Christmas. Note that New Year's Eve in Salzburg is a fantastic event worth visiting.

Read more: New Year's Eve in the Old Town of Salzburg.

Practical Tips

When is the best time to visit Salzburg at Christmas? 

If you're visiting Salzburg primarily for festive events, plan your trip between late November and December 23, or stay through New Year's Eve. December 24–26 are much quieter, as most Austrians celebrate privately with their families.

Most museums, shops, and attractions close early on December 24. 

Opening hours of the main Salzburg Christmas market:

November 21, 2025 - January 01, 2026
Monday - Thursday 10:00 - 20:30
Friday 10:00 - 21:00
Saturday 09:00 - 21:00
Sunday, Holidays 09:00 - 20:30

December 08, 09:00 - 20:30 (or 21:00 if followed by Saturday or Sunday)

December 24, 09:00 - 15:00
December 25, 11:00 - 18:00
December 26, 11:00 - 18:00

From December 27th to December 30th, the usual opening hours apply.

December 31, 10:00 - 18:00
January 01, 11:00 - 18:00