15 Christmas Experiences in Vienna Worth Booking

1.Christmas & New Year’s Concert in St. Peter’s Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · from $56Our pick

Spend one hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a Baroque landmark in central Vienna. Expect works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert, including *Eine kleine Nachtmusik* and selections from *The Four Seasons*. Seating is first come, first served within your ticket section.

“It was a great show. The seating is first come first served in the area you bought the ticket for. My suggestion is 45 min before or more. We dressed up in dresses however it seems that it was not necessary most people came with casual clothes. It is not very cold but I feel is a cold breeze going through the church so you should wear your coat. The concert was very good and the acoustics in that church were amazing.”

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2.Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Spend about an hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a baroque landmark near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Expect a string quartet, Mozart and other classical favorites, pew or chair seating, and a formal church setting. Arrive early, collect your paper ticket, and dress warmly.

“A wonderful concert in the most beautiful setting! St Peter’s is the perfect place to experience such a great concert.”

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3.Christmas Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · from $98

Walk about 2 kilometers through four Vienna Christmas markets in alternative districts with a local English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Expect hot punch with optional extra rum, cookies, food tastings, holiday crafts, street art, and stories about Viennese traditions. Bring warm clothes and expect rain or shine.

“Tony the tour guide was excellent and very informative- enjoyable tour”

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4.Christmas Concerts in Capuchin Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Spend about an hour with a professional string quartet, soprano, and trumpet in Vienna’s historic Capuchin Church near the State Opera. The candlelit setting, warm woodwork, and fine acoustics make this a calm Christmas-season concert. A combo ticket adds the Habsburg Imperial Crypt below.

“El ave María me impresionó mucho ,así como la cripta . Los músicos para mí poco entender lo hicieron genial”

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5.Christmas Market Vienna Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $103

Join Prime Tours Vienna for a 2 to 3 hour English walking tour through four seasonal stops, from Mariahilf to Maria-Theresien-Platz. Guides such as Rita, Chloe, Kamil, and Germana lead tastings of Austrian snacks, cookies, Glühwein, and punch, with stories about Vienna’s Christmas traditions.

“Very cold outdoor experience with no stops along the way with any type of out door heaters. That would have been nice to break up the tour. The limited drinks and food tastings were a nice little touch. You really can get the same experience without a guide. Guide was very nice but a novice.”

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6.Private Christmas Markets Walking Tour Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Start at your hotel, vacation home, or another agreed meeting point at 4:30 pm. With a private English-speaking Austria Guide, walk from Karlskirche through central Vienna to Freyung and City Hall, stopping at several Christmas markets and landmarks along the way. Guides may include Brigitte, Walter, Daniela, Sabine, or Mario.

“Brigitte was excellent! Very knowledgeable and patient with our group of 9. Highly recommend this tour!”

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7.Vienna Christmas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 hours (approx.) · from $87

Join Dace Schaerf for a two-hour English walking tour through Vienna’s Christmas season. Visit markets at Freyung, Am Hof, Rathausplatz, and Karlsplatz, while passing St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg, Karlskirche, and other central sights. Food and drinks cost extra.

“This was a wonderful tour. Guide was very knowledgeable about Vienna. She was very personable and talked almost the entire time. Answered all of our questions and took us to all the normal tourist places and the out of the way places too. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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8.Christmas Markets & Shopping in Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 hours (approx.) · from $70

Join a small English-language group of up to 15 people for a three-hour Vienna shopping walk with guides such as Nicoleta. Visit Hotel Sacher, Swarovski, St. Stephen’s Christmas Market, Graben, Julius Meinl, Café Central, and Neubaugasse, with a city map included.

“Nice guide, showed us many places and ts interesting stories about the city. She also recommended local specialties.”

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9.Christmas Market Food and Drinks Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 - 4 hours · from $140

Join Gloria from Venture Vienna for a 3 to 4-hour food tour of four lesser-known Christmas markets. Taste Käsespätzle, Baumkuchen, Kaiserschmarrn, Glühwein, and Punsch while learning Vienna’s trams, subway, and local festive customs.

“This tour was so fun! It was fun to hear a little history of the markets as well as the perspective of a local. The food choices were amazing! And I am already missing the Glüwein.”

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10.Vienna Guided Christmas Market Food and Drink Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 hours (approx.) · from $155

Join James, Claudia, or Gloria for a four-hour English tour of four Vienna Christmas markets. You’ll sample holiday snacks and alcoholic drinks, learn local history, and ride public transport between Am Hof, Spittelberg, Altes AKH, and Karlsplatz. Groups are limited to eight.

“Well worth the time and money. James, our guide was wonderful. Plenty to eat and drink. We visited 4 markets and James explained the difference of each one.”

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11.Private Christmas Market Tour to Hallstatt & Salzburg from Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $690

Jenny, Vlad, or another English-speaking guide takes you by private vehicle from Vienna to Hallstatt and Salzburg for a long Christmas day. Expect lake views, mountain roads, Austrian history, festive shopping, lunch time, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The price is $690 per person.

“Outstanding Trip. Jenny was very knowledgable and made the trip enjoyable and special. She provides details and a personal touch that you would not get with other tours. In addition, she explains Austria history throughout the journey, bringing you closer to the magic of the area. This tour is highly recommended. Take it! You won't be disappointed.”

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12.Tour with locals on the trails of the Christmas Tree

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2 hours · from $62

Walk Vienna’s illuminated center with Nicole from Guide from Vienna, tracing how the Christmas tree reached the city. Expect palace facades, historic photographs, Advent markets, and a small group of up to 10. The tour runs in English, Italian, or German and ends near Am Hof or Rathausplatz.

“The subject of this tour was the introduction of the Christmas tree to Vienna. You may think that this is actually quite a drab or boring subject but with the excellent and knowledgeable Nicole, she opened up a whole world in relation to this subject. Nicole took us to the various sites linked to this subject. For example we went to the first place where a Christmas tree was displayed in Vienna. Nicole not only went into the subject itself but spoke about Viennese society at the time (19th Century). This provided a great background to the subject. She also gave great insight on what it meant/means to be part…”

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13.Schönbrunn Palace & Christmas Market Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2 hours · from $64

Join a small group of up to 10 for a two-hour English or Chinese guided visit to Schönbrunn Palace, its gardens, and the Christmas market. The palace entry costs an extra €25 in cash, so arrive early with comfortable shoes and no large bags.

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14.Small-Group Christmas Day Trip to Hallstatt from Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · from $283

Leave Vienna at 6:45 am for a 13.5-hour Christmas outing through the Salzkammergut. Visit Mondsee’s basilica, St. Gilgen, Hallstatt, and St. Wolfgang’s Christmas market in a group of no more than eight, with English commentary, WiFi, water, and Hallstatt guiding.

“We had peter as our driver/guide and he was courteous and organized. We felt safe and in good hands throughout. The itinerary was well planned and we thoroughly enjoyed our day. Highly recommended for people who wants to explore the lake region with a touch of xmas”

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15.Christmas at Belvedere: 3hr Private Tour of Upper Palace & Market

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 hours (approx.) · from $250

Spend three hours with a private English-speaking guide at Vienna’s Upper Belvedere and Christmas Market. Walk the Baroque gardens, see Klimt’s The Kiss, hear the palace story from guides such as Maria or Rita, then browse holiday treats at your own pace.

“Maria did a great job of explaining the history of the palace and what the paintings meant. Was great experience”

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