Anyone visiting Vienna for the Christmas markets in 2026 should be aware of one major change: there will be no Christmas market at Belvedere Palace this year. The familiar stalls in front of the Upper Belvedere will not return. However, a new Christmas market will open a little further away at Schwarzenbergplatz.
Why is there no Christmas market at Belvedere?
The Christmas market at Belvedere has had to make way for construction work connected with a new visitor center. It was previously announced that the market would be unable to take place in both 2026 and 2027. Whether it can return in 2028 will depend on the progress of the work.
The museum itself remains open. You can still visit the Upper Belvedere and see its collection, including Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Just do not expect to find the usual Christmas stalls in front of the palace during Advent.
It is worth checking the date of any information you find online. Several websites still list a Belvedere Christmas market for 2026, but it does not appear in the official Christmas market overview published by the Vienna Tourist Board.
A new Christmas market at Schwarzenbergplatz
A relatively nearby alternative will open in 2026: the new Weihnachtszauber am Schwarzenbergplatz, or Christmas Magic at Schwarzenbergplatz. The market will be held around the Hochstrahlbrunnen, the large fountain at the southern end of the square.
According to the organizer, the fountain and surrounding park will be illuminated, while the program will include stage performances and activities for children.
As this is an entirely new market, we cannot yet offer a first-hand review. We plan to visit after it opens and will update this page with our impressions, photographs, and practical tips.
Visitors looking for the combination of a palace and Christmas market should bear in mind that Schwarzenbergplatz will offer a very different setting. Its advantages are its central location and easy walking connections to the Karlskirche, Ringstrasse and Stadtpark.
Dates and opening hours
The Weihnachtszauber am Schwarzenbergplatz will run from 13 November to 26 December 2026.
- Monday to Friday: 11 am–9 pm
- Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 10 am–9 pm
- Location: Schwarzenbergplatz, around the Hochstrahlbrunnen, 1010 Vienna
- Admission: free
The market closes on 26 December. Visitors staying in Vienna between Christmas and New Year can still visit the Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace or the Winter Market at Riesenradplatz in the Prater. Both continue until 6 January 2027.
How to get there
Schwarzenbergplatz is located on the edge of Vienna’s city center. Tram line D stops at Schwarzenbergplatz, and the market is approximately a ten-minute walk from Karlsplatz.
From the Upper Belvedere, allow roughly fifteen minutes on foot, depending on which exit you use.
Schwarzenbergplatz is long rather than compact. The market will not be beside the equestrian statue near the Ringstrasse. You need to continue south towards the Hochstrahlbrunnen and the Soviet War Memorial.
Can you combine Belvedere with the new market?
Yes. You can visit the Upper Belvedere first and then walk to Schwarzenbergplatz. The combination remains practical, although the museum and Christmas market are no longer in the same place. It is advisable to reserve a time slot for the museum in advance; admission to the Christmas market is free.
If you specifically want the classic sight of a Christmas market directly in front of an imperial palace, Schönbrunn Palace is the clearest alternative in 2026. Schwarzenbergplatz will instead be defined by its illuminated fountain and central location.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Christmas market at Belvedere Palace in 2026?
No. There will be no Christmas stalls in front of or around Belvedere Palace in 2026. The cancellation is connected with construction work for a new visitor centre.
Has the Belvedere Christmas market moved to Schwarzenbergplatz?
No. The Weihnachtszauber am Schwarzenbergplatz is officially presented as a new Christmas market with its own location and programme. It should not be regarded as the former Belvedere market in a different place.
When does the Schwarzenbergplatz Christmas market open?
The new market opens on 13 November 2026 and runs until 26 December 2026.
Is Belvedere Palace still open during Advent?
The absence of the Christmas market does not mean that the museum is closed. Always check the current opening hours and available time slots on the official Belvedere website before visiting.