As of 24 Oct 2026, 08:06 (UTC+7)
Vienna’s main Christmas market, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026, daily from 10:00 to 22:00. In Tyrol, Ischgl opens its 2026/27 ski season on 26 November 2026, and the season runs until 2 May 2027. Check the official market and resort pages before you travel, because details can change.
Visiting Austria for the Christmas markets or the ski season? Organisers and transport operators share entry times, route changes and closures online. An Austria eSIM, set up before you travel, lets you check those updates and find your way on the day. Always follow official and organiser instructions.
Below are the official 2026 dates for the main city-centre markets in Vienna and for the Ischgl ski season, plus what to sort out before you go.
When are the Vienna Christmas markets in 2026?
Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz
The Wiener Christkindlmarkt is on Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna. According to the official market site, it runs from 13 November to 26 December 2026. It is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. On 24 December 2026 it is open from 10:00 to 18:30.
Other city-centre markets: Spittelberg, Am Hof, Art Advent at Karlsplatz, Freyung, Belvedere
The Vienna Tourist Board lists these 2026 dates:
| Market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|
| Christmas Market at Spittelberg | 13 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Christmas Market at Am Hof | 13 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Art Advent at Karlsplatz | 13 Nov to 23 Dec |
| Old Viennese Christmas Market Freyung | 14 Nov to 23 Dec |
| K&K Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace | 20 Nov to 31 Dec |
Opening hours differ from market to market. Check each market’s listing on the Vienna Tourist Board page before you go.
Ischgl ski season 2026/27
Opening day, 26 November 2026
Ischgl, in the Paznaun region of Tyrol, holds its first skiing day on 26 November 2026. Its ski area is the Silvretta Arena.
Which lifts and slopes are open depends on the resort’s own daily updates. Check the resort’s lift and slope status before you travel, and follow resort guidance on the mountain.
How long the season runs
According to the resort, the 2026/27 winter season runs from 26 November 2026 to 2 May 2027.
Combining Vienna and Ischgl in one trip
On these official dates, the Rathausplatz market and the Ischgl season overlap from 26 November to 26 December 2026. If you want both, plan your route between the two early and book transport ahead.
Check the market and resort pages again a few days before you travel, and on the day. For paying on the go, see our guide to getting around Vienna without cash, and read how to choose an eSIM for Austria.
What to do
- Save your tickets, bookings and hotel address offline on your phone.
- Check the official market pages before you go, as hours differ by market.
- Check Ischgl’s lift and slope status before you travel to the resort.
- Agree a meeting point with your group in case you get separated at a busy market.
- Arrange data before you arrive so you can navigate and meet your group in the crowds. Choose an Austria eSIM plan
Frequently asked questions
When do the Vienna Christmas markets open in 2026?
The Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, Spittelberg, Am Hof and Art Advent at Karlsplatz open on 13 November 2026. The Old Viennese Christmas Market Freyung opens on 14 November, and the K&K Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace on 20 November.
What are the opening hours of the Rathausplatz Christmas market?
It is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. On 24 December 2026 it is open from 10:00 to 18:30.
When does the Rathausplatz Christmas market close?
Its last day is 26 December 2026.
When does the ski season start in Ischgl?
Ischgl’s first skiing day is 26 November 2026. Check the resort’s lift and slope status before you travel.
How long is the Ischgl ski season?
The 2026/27 season runs from 26 November 2026 to 2 May 2027, according to the resort.
Official sources
- Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Rathausplatz): official site
- Vienna Tourist Board: Christmas markets in Vienna
- Ischgl: winter season
- Ischgl: first skiing day 2026
This article is for travel planning only and is not official guidance. Dates and opening hours are as published by the organisers and may change. Always check the official market and resort pages before you travel.
Photo: Christmas market at Rathausplatz, Vienna (2016). Burkhard Mücke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized
