Salzburg Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets and Mozart in Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Europe. There is an abundance of old world charm and cultural attractions to fill your time. From classical concerts to Sound of Music filming locations, it is hard to fit everything in to just a few days, especially when you are also there during the Christmas season.

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Such was the case for my BFF and I when we decided to focus our Christmas Market itinerary on Austria. We had been all over Germany on a previous trip and were excited to explore the markets in neighboring Austria against the backdrop of snow capped mountains and hilltop castles.

To keep things manageable (and readable), I have broken down all-things-Salzburg into a couple different posts: one for the historical and cultural attractions and another for the Christmas Markets. This one is for the Christmas Markets!

To read my accompanying post about the historical and cultural attractions we visited in Salzburg, click here.

A stop in Salzburg fits well between a visit to Munich (to the west), Innsbruck (to the south), or other markets in Austria (to the east). We came from Munich and Regensburg in the middle of an eastward week-long journey.

There are multiple Christmas Markets in and around the city, each with its own character and specialities. We planned our Salzburg itinerary to explore the markets and historical sites together in each neighborhood to economize our time.

Salzburg Christmas Markets

Salzburger Christkindlmarkt at the Dom and Residenzplatz
Sternadvent Salzburg
Mirabell Square Christmas Market
Hohensalzburg Fortress Christmas Market
Schloss Hellbrunn

Salzburger Christkindlmarkt

The main Christmas Market in Salzburg is the Salzburger Christkindlmarket at the Dom and Residenzplatz. It has deep historical roots and is one of the world’s oldest Advent markets. The setting is grand and completely decked out in festive lights, garlands, and a forrest of wooden stalls. Before we started our shopping frenzy, we visited the DomQuartier, which includes the Cathedral and historical buildings. There are some great viewpoints of the market from the buildings, so I highly recommend doing this!

Above photo: Salzburger Christkindlmarkt: Residenzplatz against the backdrop of the Salzburger Glockenspiel (top and left); Domplatz (right)

There are over 100 stalls divided between Domplatz (the area right in front of the Cathedral) and the adjoining Residenzplatz (the area on the side of the Cathedral). The Cathedral arch separates the areas allowing visitors to pass through from side to side. Also close by is Mozartplatz where an ice skating rink is created around a statue of Mozart.

Above photo: The Cathedral arch festively decorated for Salzburger Christkindlmarkt

Above photos: Ice skating in Mozartplatz

In addition to the market stalls, the organizers also have scheduled programming that includes choir performances, readings, instrumentals, and sing-alongs! We were lucky enough to be there for one of the choir performances and it was like being thrown into a Hallmark movie. It was so perfect!

Above photos: Christmas tree in Residenzplatz (left); Choir performing outside of Salzburg Cathedral in Domplatz (right)

Of course, no visit to the Christmas Markets is complete without a warm mug of Glühwein in your hands. I also cannot pass up the food. From brats to soft pretzels as big as your head, piles of potatoes, and cinnamon-sugared everything — there are so many things to try!

Above photos: Glühwein, fried pineapple, and schweinsbratwürstel

Sternadvent Salzburg

About a 5 – 10 minute walk from the DomQuartier is the adorable Stern Advent and Winter Market. This idyllic arts & craft market comprised of about 40 stalls is tucked in between Getreidegasse and Griesgasse, in the courtyard of the Sterbräu. Here you will find felted ornaments and other textile crafts, along with many traditional handmade items.

If you are visiting after Christmas and think you’ve missed all the markets, you’ll be happy to learn that Stern Advent continues until around January 6 as a Winter Market.

Above photos: Stern Advent & Winter Market

Mirabell Square Christmas Market

The Mirabell Square Christmas Market is located on Mirabellplatz and is ideally combined with a visit to Mirabell Palace & Gardens. This market reminded me of a city sidewalk in a small town, full of locals meeting up for drinks and soaking up Christmas cheer.

At this location, you will once again be treated to special performances on select evenings, including brass and woodwind musical quartets. And if that doesn’t put you right in the Christmas spirit, you might need another mug of Glühwein.

Above photo: Christmas Market on Mirabellplatz

Hohensalzburg Fortress Christmas Market

While you are up at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, you will inevitably step into the courtyard and be encircled with chalet-style stalls offering local arts & crafts, gift items, and baked goods, including fresh tarte flambée from the historic Fortress bakery.

Above photo: Hohensalzburg Fortress Christmas Market

Traditional Herrnhut stars were everywhere, lighting up stairwells and lanes. I bought myself a set of these stars years ago at the Nuremberg Christmas Market — they are instantly recognizable.

Above photo: Herrnhut stars at Hohensalzburg Fortress

Schloss Hellbrunn Christmas Market

Do not let the short bus ride to Schloss Hellbrunn stop you from venturing out to the ‘burbs to experience this amazing market. Schloss Hellbrunn is closed during the winter months for tours, but you can still visit the gardens, which are spectacularly lit up during the Advent season.

Above photo: Christmas Angel at the helm of the Hellbrunn Garden Star Pond

Hellbrunner Adventzauber is off-the-charts atmospheric. The palace windows are transformed into a larger-than-life advent calendar and serve as the backdrop to hundreds of Christmas trees decorated with signature red baubles.

The children’s programming here is especially good, making it a popular market for families. There are live nativity animals, a Christmas train, and a post office where little ones can mail their letters to Santa.

Above photos: The highly atmospheric Hellbrunner Adventzauber

We just so happened to visit Hellbrunner on the evening of the annual Krampus Run. I’ll never forget this experience. The Krampus is a folkloric creature that looks like a big hairy beast. On the eve before the Feast of St. Nicholas children are told to leave their shoes out to be filled with special treats if they’ve been good. But if they’ve been bad, the Krampus might come snatch them. Sounds terrifying, no?

We honestly had no idea what to expect when we arrived at Hellbrunner except another Christmas Market. The crowd separates to create a path for the parade. You’ll know they are coming when you start to hear the clanging bells hanging from Krampuses. They interact with the crowd getting a lot closer than you’d think! It was a wild, fun event!

Above video: Raw clip of the annual Krampus Parade at Hellbrunner Adventzauber

Where to stay in Salzburg

When choosing accommodations in Salzburg, my advice is to stay central and within walking distance to the markets and attractions you are most interested in spending time. Either bank of the Salzach River has great options. The east bank is closer to public transportation and Mirabell Palace. The west bank is closer to Old Town and Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Since the main market and most of the attractions we planned to see were in Old Town, we stayed in the middle of all of that near the pedestrianized Getreidegasse at Hotel Elefant. This uber charming boutique hotel is one of the oldest in Salzburg and is run by the 4th generation of the family. We loved our stay! Additionally, the hotel has a tavern on the second floor in case you are too tuckered out to leave for dinner.

Above photo: Hotel Elefant entrance on Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse

Need help packing? Read my Christmas Market Packing Guide here.

Additional tips for visiting the Christmas Markets

Carry cash: The first order of business when I arrive at an international destination is pulling cash out of the airport ATM machine. My bank reimburses me for my ATM fees and gives me the best currency conversion rate. Be sure to research your bank’s policy ahead and determine the best method for you. Most market vendors are able to process credit cards, but some will only take cash. We found this to be especially true with many food stalls. 💶 🤑

Keep the mug: Each market has its own annual mug design for Glühwein. When you order your beverage, you’ll pay a deposit for the mug (which you get back upon returning it) plus the cost of your drink. You don’t have to return the mug though (you just don’t get the deposit back). I kept one from each market as a souvenir. ☕️ 🍷

Pack a packable duffle: You’re going there to shop so be prepared to get it all back home safely. I usually pack a duffle bag inside my luggage and slowly fill it up throughout my trip. I pack light so I have plenty of room for anything I need to take back in my checked luggage. I also take bubble wrap and a small flat box (that I later assemble) to make sure my glass ornaments make it back in one piece! The box should fit inside your carry-on duffle bag for your flight home. 🧳 ✈️

Resign yourself to the crowds: Christmas Markets are very popular and widely visited throughout the holiday season by locals and tourists alike. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you go with the expectation that there will be long lines, slow moving sidewalks, and people from every walk of life in your way. If you are stressed out and/or in a hurry, you won’t enjoy yourself. Thankfully, there isn’t anything another mug of Glühwein and a merry disposition can’t cure. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🎄

More photos of the Salzburg Christmas Markets