Spittelberg Christmas market 2026

The Spittelberg Christmas market is one of our favorite Christmas markets in Vienna, and the neighborhood has as much to do with that as the stalls. Instead of filling one big square, the market runs through the narrow lanes of a quarter of old Biedermeier houses in the 7th district. In 2026 it is open from November 13 to December 23, with more than 120 stalls, many of them run by the people who made what they sell.

What makes Spittelberg different

At Rathausplatz you walk through a market. At Spittelberg you walk through a neighborhood that happens to have a market in it. The stalls stand along Spittelberggasse and the lanes around it, between restored houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, with bars, small restaurants and galleries on the ground floors. There is no City Hall or palace behind the stalls, no ice rink and no Ferris wheel. The lanes themselves are the backdrop.

The market is run as an eco-event: the organizers look for products that are regional, organic, fair trade or handmade. That shows in what you find on the stalls, and it is the main reason we come here to shop rather than to Rathausplatz.

Shopping: crafts and gifts you won’t find elsewhere

With more than 120 exhibitors, Spittelberg is one of the larger markets in Vienna, but it doesn’t feel like it because the stalls are spread over several lanes. You will find ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, leather goods, textiles, prints and paper goods, plus edible gifts such as honey, jam and schnapps. Prices range from small souvenirs to pieces that are closer to art than to market goods.

Talk to the stallholders. Many of them are the makers, and some have a studio or shop in the area where you can see the rest of their work. If you like something but aren’t sure yet, ask for their card instead of buying on the spot.

Food and drinks

You’ll find the Austrian classics, Bratwurst, Käsekrainer and Maroni (roasted chestnuts), but because of the eco focus there is also more vegetarian and vegan food than at most Vienna markets. For something sweet there are Lebkuchen (gingerbread), crêpes and pastries.

To drink there is Glühwein (mulled wine) and plenty of Punsch, from fruity berry punch to stronger rum-based versions, plus alcohol-free Kinderpunsch. As at every market in Vienna, you pay a deposit for the mug. Our guide to Christmas market food and drinks explains how that works.

If the lanes get too crowded, step into one of the restaurants or bars along Spittelberggasse. Warming up indoors for half an hour and then going back out is how many Viennese do this market.

Spittelberg Christmas market 2026: dates and opening hours

The market runs from November 13 to December 23, 2026, so it closes before Christmas Eve. On weekdays it only opens in the afternoon. For the December 8 public holiday, the Vienna Tourist Board lists weekday hours (from 2 PM), so check the official website if you plan to go in the morning.

Tips for your visit

The lanes are narrow, and on Friday and Saturday evenings they fill up quickly. For a calmer visit, come on a weekday shortly after the 2 PM opening, or on a weekend morning. After dark is when the lanes look best, so if you can, arrive in the late afternoon and stay into the evening.

Spittelberg is only a few minutes’ walk from the MuseumsQuartier and the Christmas village at Maria-Theresien-Platz, and about ten minutes from Rathausplatz. Those three markets make a good evening walk. Staying nearby? The 25hours Hotel at the MuseumsQuartier is one of our hotels near the Christmas markets.

Frequently asked questions