11 Magical Things to Do in Vienna in December from a Local

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Visiting Vienna in December feels like stepping into a Christmas fairytale. Even though I usually prefer summer here, I can’t deny how magical the city becomes once the lights go up, the markets open, and you hear the sound of Advent concerts.

If you’re planning a winter trip, you might be wondering what to do in Vienna in December beyond just the obvious Christmas markets. Since I live in Vienna I’ve had the chance to try out many festive activities.

From sparkling palaces to cosy cafés, and from world-famous traditions to a few local tips you won’t find in every guidebook, here’s how to make the most of Vienna in December.

Table of Contents

1. Visit the Christmas Markets

A large illuminated star-shaped arch with the word "Willkommen" (Welcome) in glowing cursive at the Schönbrunn Christmas Market in Vienna. Visitors stroll through the festive plaza, with the Schönbrunn Palace lit up in the background and holiday decorations adding to the charm. — Christmas Market at Schönbrunn

A carousel adorned with bright lights and festive decorations is set in front of Vienna’s Rathaus. The lively Christmas market scene includes visitors strolling and enjoying the holiday festivities. — Christmas Market at Schönbrunn

No December trip to Vienna is complete without visiting at least one of the Christmas markets. They start popping up in mid-November and last until Christmas.

Most people go in the evening for the lights, but I like visiting earlier in the day. In the morning or early afternoon, you can actually browse the stalls without being overwhelmed by the crowds.

The most famous market is at Rathausplatz, but it’s also the busiest. For something different, head to Karlsplatz with its artsy stalls, or my favourite, the market at the University Campus (Altes AKH), a magical courtyard that’s usually less crowded.

👉 Find more details in my full guide to Vienna’s Christmas markets.

2. Go Ice Skating

Children and adults ice skating on a tree-lined outdoor path in Vienna, with the golden-lit dome of a historic building glowing in the late afternoon sun. The path is bordered by wooden fencing, scattered with autumn leaves, and the scene has a cozy winter charm. — Ice Skating Rink before Christmas

A wide ice skating rink in front of Vienna’s illuminated Rathaus (City Hall) during twilight, with lights reflecting off the smooth ice and people gathering near vendor stalls in the background. The towering gothic architecture creates a dramatic and festive winter backdrop. — Ice Skating Rink before Christmas

Right next to the Rathaus Christmas market you’ll find Vienna’s best ice rink. It’s designed as a one-way system winding through the park, with paths that lead you past the lights and trees. It feels a bit like gliding through a winter fairytale.

You can rent skates on site for a fee, so there’s no need to bring your own. After Christmas, when the market stalls are gone, the rink actually gets even bigger, making it one of the best things to do in Vienna in January too.

3. Marvel at the Christmas Lights

A historic corner building in Vienna adorned with Christmas lights, featuring a massive red and white illuminated bow wrapping around the façade. A large crowd gathers below, enjoying the festive atmosphere under the night sky. — The instagrammable lights next to the opera

Vienna’s Graben street at night, glowing with cascading chandelier-style Christmas lights overhead and lined with busy market stalls under yellow-lit canopies. Shoppers and diners fill the bustling pedestrian zone, creating a vibrant holiday scene. — The instagrammable lights next to the opera

In December, Vienna’s streets glow with festive lights, and you’ll spot decorations almost everywhere. The most impressive displays are in the city centre near St. Stephen’s Cathedral, especially along Graben and Kärntner Straße.

One of the most photographed spots is the building next to the Opera, Popp & Kretschmer, which gets wrapped up in lights like a giant gift package. Just be prepared for heavy crowds here, and be careful, as it’s on a busy road.

4. Attend a Christmas Concert in a Church

Interior of St. Peter’s Church in Vienna, richly decorated with gilded baroque sculptures, marble columns, and intricate frescoes on the dome above. The altar is surrounded by Christmas trees and glowing lights, adding festive warmth to the grandeur of the sacred space. — Christmas decorations in St Peter’s Church

December in Vienna isn’t just about twinkling lights, it’s also about music. Around Christmas, many of the city’s churches host special concerts ranging from classical pieces to festive carols.

The most popular option is at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, here you can check out the timetable of their Christmas concerts. But you’ll also find smaller concerts in churches all across the city.

🎄 Book your Christmas concert in the St Peter’s church now

5. Warm Up in a Traditional Viennese Coffeehouse

A woman in a pink fleece jacket sips a latte through a straw in an elegant Viennese café. The room features a grand chandelier hanging from an ornate ceiling, with large windows allowing natural light to illuminate the classic decor. Velvet chairs and gold-accented details enhance the luxurious ambiance. — I actually don’t drink coffee

When it’s freezing outside, there’s nothing better than stepping into a cosy Viennese coffeehouse. Coffee culture is a big part of the city’s history, and winter is the perfect time to experience it.

If you’re after a truly grand setting, I recommend Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker next to the Opera. The second floor feels like having coffee in a palace, with chandeliers and golden décor. It’s so much better than the overrated Cafe Central.

For those looking for vegan options, Vienna also has plenty of great vegan cafés where you can warm up with plant-based cakes and drinks.

6. Explore Vienna’s Palaces

A stunning Schönbrunn Palace state room with an intricately painted fresco covering the ceiling, depicting historical and mythical scenes. The walls are adorned with golden accents and tall mirrors, while crystal chandeliers add a regal glow to the expansive, parquet-floored hall. — The main state room at Schönbrunn Palace

The ornate interior of a state room in the Belvedere Palace, Vienna, featuring a stunning frescoed ceiling with mythological scenes, a glittering crystal chandelier, and gilded wooden paneling. The room is filled with visitors admiring the lavish decor and arched windows that allow natural light to enhance the grandeur of the space. — The main state room at Schönbrunn Palace

Vienna’s palaces aren’t just for summer sightseeing, they’re perfect winter activities too, since most of the experience is indoors. The most popular palaces are:

Schönbrunn Palace is best if you mainly want to see the imperial rooms.
Belvedere Palace combines grand halls with an impressive art collection, including Klimt’s The Kiss.
Hofburg Palace offers a bit of everything right in the city centre, from the Albertina Museum to imperial apartments. Personally, I find the Sisi Museum there too crowded, but the complex as a whole is huge and worth exploring.

Those are just the most popular palaces, if you want to explore some more hidden gems, check out my post about the most beautiful palaces in Vienna and if you don’t mind a train journey there are also some stunning palaces near Vienna.

7. Visit Vienna’s Museums

The café is set in a lavish, historic interior with marble columns, intricate golden moldings, and arched windows. Guests enjoy drinks and desserts at black-and-red tables, while the opulent décor creates a majestic ambiance. — Even the cafe is stunning at the art history museum

Cold or rainy winter days are the perfect excuse to dive into Vienna’s museums, and there are a lot of them. You could easily spend weeks exploring, from art and history to quirky speciality collections.

My personal favourite is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The building itself is stunning, and the collection is beautifully curated with plenty of space to sit down and really take it in.

If you want to see which museum suits you best, I’ve put together a full guide to the best museums in Vienna.

8. Hang Out at Museumsquartier

The Museumsquartier (MQ) is one of my favourite winter hangouts in Vienna. Even if you don’t step into a museum, it’s worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. In December, the courtyard is decorated with lights.

You’ll often see groups playing Eisstockschießen (a kind of Austrian curling), it’s fun to watch and even more fun to try yourself. The MQ feels more modern and youthful compared to Vienna’s traditional Christmas markets, so it’s a great change of pace.

Inside the complex, you’ll also find cafés, restaurants, and of course some of Vienna’s best museums like the Leopold Museum and mumok. But honestly, I love just hanging out in the courtyards with a hot drink, soaking in the winter vibes.

9. Warm Up in a Sauna or Spa

Relaxing view from a lounge chair inside a thermal spa overlooking indoor and outdoor pools through large glass windows, with a person wrapped in a towel in the foreground.

After hours of walking through the cold, warming up in a sauna is pure bliss. Austrian sauna culture might surprise some visitors: they are usually mixed and fully nude. You’re expected to bring a large towel so no bare skin touches the wood.

In Vienna, the biggest option is Therme Wien, it’s just a tube ride away and I was positively surprised, it was way quieter than expected. You can read my full guide to visiting Therme Wien.

10. Take a Trip to the Laxenburg Castle Lightshow

Aerial view from the castle tower, showing Franzensburg Castle's spires and courtyards nestled beside the park lake, with a distant mountain backdrop. — Laxenburg Castle in summer

Just outside Vienna, Laxenburg Castle is best known as a summer day trip with long walks through the park and a picturesque castle to explore. But in December, the entire park transforms into a magical lightshow.

The pathways are illuminated with colourful displays that make the historic grounds feel like a fairytale. Since everything is outdoors, make sure to bundle up, it can get very cold.

11. Walk Down the New Year’s Eve Trail

If you’re in Vienna on 31 December, the New Year’s Eve Trail is the city’s biggest celebration. The historic centre fills with stalls, live music, and dancing areas, with different stages spread out around St. Stephen’s Cathedral and beyond.

I’ll be honest: it gets very crowded, and that’s not really my thing. But many visitors love the festive atmosphere and the chance to ring in the new year alongside thousands of others.

👉 If you’re curious about Austrian traditions, read my post about New Year’s Eve in Austria.

Weather in Vienna in December

December in Vienna is cold, with average temperatures between 0–5°C (32–41°F). Snow isn’t very common in the city. You might wake up to a thin white layer in the morning, but it usually melts away by lunchtime.

A picture-perfect snowy day does happen sometimes, but it’s not something to count on.

Grey skies and wind are more typical, and daylight is short, with the sun setting around 4pm. To enjoy the outdoor activities, from markets to lightshows, make sure to pack warm layers, a good winter coat, gloves, hat, and waterproof shoes.

Things to Do in Vienna at Christmas

Christmas in Austria is celebrated on 24 December, and shops usually close around lunchtime that day. The 25th and 26th are public holidays and most shops remain closed.

Most Christmas markets also end on the 24th, though a few continue until New Year’s Eve.

Major attractions like Schönbrunn Palace are open during the Christmas holidays. But it’s best to check the official opening times of every place you want to visit between 24–26 December.

👉 To learn more about how Austrians celebrate the season, take a look at my post on Christmas traditions in Austria.