Ashley Lauren
Is Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz The Ultimate European Market?
- Goes By: Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz or Christmas Market at Town Hall Square
- Location: Rathausplatz, 1010 Wien, Austria
- Dates: November 15th- December 26th, 2024
- Times: 10 am- 10 pm
- Exceptions: Christmas Eve 10 am- 6:30 pm
- Size: 100 Booths
- Website: https://www.christkindlmarkt.at/en/
Without a doubt, Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz is an epic European Christmas Market that can’t be missed in Vienna, Austria. It has everything you could dream of a larger-than-life sparkling Christmas tree, a nativity scene, 100 market stalls, a two-story carousel, an open and intimate ice skating rink, photo op stations, a tree full of lighted hearts; the list goes on.
Only a Grinch can’t love Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz because it is filled with all the joy that Christmas brings.
I have lived in Europe for the last few Christmases and enjoy spending the holidays exploring the markets. This particular market is well-established, and it makes all the difference. I might even go as far as to say it’s what makes Vienna a go-to destination during the holiday season, which is why I ranked it #1 out of 15 in another post I wrote about Vienna’s best markets.
1. The 100-foot Christmas Tree & Nativity Scene At City Hall
Nothing says welcome to Christmas like a majestic hundred-foot spruce tree decorated with hundreds of lights and bulbs. In 2024, it was sent from the market town of Rastenfeld, Austria, and grown in a picturesque landscape. The tree brings the spirit of the region to Vienna, setting the perfect tone for Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz.
At the foot of this jaw-dropping scene, you’ll find baby Jesus is tucked away in a manger. A walk through the park reveals the tradition of Christmas nativity scenes. This year, the Christmas Market at Town Hall Square showcases modern and thought-provoking nativity scenes, highlighting how these timeless displays can still be relevant and meaningful today.
2. Iconic Welcome Sign At Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
This lighted wreath and bow light is bigger in person, and it draws you into the main walkway of the market. As you walk underneath it you realize what it must have taken to create a welcome so memorable.
Imagine being in the first stall, front and center. Just behind is the two-story vintage carousel, which is picture-perfect. There are plenty of memories to make here!
3. Christkindlmarkt Turned The Sidewalk Into Ice
At Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz, you can ice skate on the sidewalk for a more intimate experience or go all out with your free space in their larger skating spaces. I love the idea of exploring the park while you’re ice skating.
Although we didn’t experience this because of the long lines and fear of breaking a neck, it did look like some memorable ice skating fun.
4. The Famous Heart Tree
There’s something magical about Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz that makes everyone who visits feel warm. I didn’t expect to be swept off my feet, but as we strolled through the beautifully lit park, it was impossible not to feel captivated. The glow of colorful lights transformed the surroundings into a dream, and every attraction felt like it was designed to touch the heart.
One highlight was the legendary heart tree—it lights up spectacularly every hour after dusk, and seeing it in person was unforgettable. Even if you’re not there with a partner, the market makes you fall in love—whether with the season’s magic or simply the market itself. Love is everywhere.
5. Holiday Shopping & Taste Testing
We ended up at the pretzel stall more than once; my son opted for a sugar pretzel, and my husband went with a more savory pretzel. I tried them and was surprised that they were cold. The boys enjoyed this snack because I can’t eat a pretzel without cheese dip.
Of course, the Langos are here too, and we finally gave in to the smell of garlic all day and got one here. Andrew had been raving about these Langos dishes since we went to Budapest last year, and I didn’t get to try it. It didn’t hold up to the hype from my perspective. I realized that the way the dough is prepped for these matters, and there is a fantastic Langos Queen at this market, which you must try!
Among the Santa boot mugs of mulled wine, I always preferred the holiday drinks with rum the most. We tried an apple cider at one booth, and it was so good there couldn’t have been any alcohol in it.
This market didn’t have any super rare finds, but it did have all the great stalls, like snowglobes, wooden toys, handmade jewelry, heart-shaped cookies, and pastries. Vienna is famous for its Sachertorte—a moist chocolate cake with a subtle apricot jam layer. If you don’t try it at Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz, be sure to taste-test the original recipe at Hotel Sacher Cafe.
Where to Stay Near Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
If you plan to visit Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz, finding a nearby place to stay is key to enjoying the festive atmosphere without hassle. For our family of four, we stayed at the Levante Rathaus Apartments, just an 11-minute walk from the market.
The apartment offered everything we needed for a comfortable stay: a one-bedroom layout with a pull-out couch, a kitchenette equipped with a fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and a TV in the living room. While I wished for a second TV in the bedroom (a rare find), the fast and reliable Wi-Fi made up for it. The highlight? After a long day of exploring the market, we requested extra pillows, which felt like pure heaven!
It’s a practical and cozy option for families looking to stay close to the best market in Vienna this Christmas season. The nearest public transportation stations are 5-8 minutes away.
Navigating Public Transportation in Vienna
Visiting the Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz means embracing the magic of Vienna’s efficient public transportation, making exploring even easier. To get around hassle-free, we purchased the Vienna Easy City Pass, which offers unlimited travel for 72 hours. At just 27€, it covered one adult and one child under 15, making it an affordable and family-friendly choice. The pass was easy to use and could be added to an app on your phone, allowing seamless access to the underground, S-Bahn trains, buses, streetcars, and regional trains. Plus, the pass included discounts, which we used for tickets to a Mozart concert—an unexpected bonus!
However, one thing that puzzled us was how Vienna monitored ticket usage. Unlike many cities, there were no scanning or visible checks on buses, trams, or trains. People boarded, making us wonder how the system worked.
It wasn’t until our third day that we discovered how. While riding a bus, the doors suddenly closed, and two officials with badges introduced themselves as the transportation authority. They conducted a surprise ticket inspection, checking everyone on board. Thankfully, we had our passes ready, but one passenger couldn’t find theirs. The officials and the passenger exited at the next stop, and we were left wondering what consequences might follow for not having a valid ticket.
Despite this moment of suspense, Vienna’s public transportation system was incredibly convenient, and the Vienna Easy City Pass made it simple to enjoy the sights—including the unforgettable Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz.
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