Winter 2024/25 Events in Salzburg: Christmas markets, Krampus runs, Festivals & More Winter Fun

View of Salzburg's Christmas market in Old Town on an early winter evening, with bright yellow lights and a tree in the center.

While Salzburg may not be as grand as its Imperial sister Vienna, the alpine backdrop and charming old town provide a classic Old World Christmas atmosphere. Whether you’re coming down from the ski slopes or making a tour of Christmas markets, Salzburg has a winter program to delight you. Keep reading for our top tips on the best Christmas markets and events taking place in Salzburg for winter 2024/25.

Christmas Markets

Being a relatively small city, Salzburg has a more charming scale for Christmas markets. Vendors huddle in huts garlanded with evergreen wreaths and lights, some with bubbling vats of Gluhwein and others sizzling sausages. You’ll find hand-knitted winter wear such as hats and mittens, and hear trumpets blaring out Christmas tunes or the gentle voices of choir singers. Here’s what you can expect at Salzburg’s main Christmas markets.

Christmas market at the Domplatz (Cathedral Square) in front of Salzburg Cathedral in twilight, with people walking around the square.

Salzburger Christkindlmarkt – November 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025

Located in the heart of the Old City, at the Dom and Residenzplatz, this is one of the world’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to the 15th century. While the Christmas market’s wares and aesthetics may have changed (thanks to the evolving cultural traditions and the advent of electric light), the spirit of trade and good cheer has endured through the ages. With around 100 market stands, this Christmas market is also the largest in Salzburg.

Christmas market in front of Hellbrunn Palace on a sunny December day

Hellbrunner Adventzauber – 21 November – 24 December 2024

While it may be known more as a summertime destination, Hellbrunn Palace has decked out for the Christmas season for more than 20 years. With trees wrapped with lights and beautified with ornaments, the entire park transforms into a Christmas wonderland for a full month. Traditional crafts are on sale in addition to the usual Christmas market treats. Snack on some roasted chestnuts or enjoy the traditional savory sausage. The Hellbrunner Adventzauber is especially popular for families, with its dedicated children’s area, where kids ride the Christmas train, grill sausages, write a letter to Christkind, and go on a treasure hunt.

Note that this special Christmas market costs 7 euro to enter – though this does include a hot drink.

Other Christmas markets worth visiting include the market at Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Square, and St. Leonhard.

A group of people posing for a piture in the middle of a square in Salzburg, Austria

Take a Tour with Insight Cities

If it’s your first time exploring Salzburg, why not get to know the city with a local expert? Insight Cities’ Introduction to Salzburg tour takes you around the city’s old town and introduces you to the fascinating musical history that put Salzburg on the map in the classical music world. Your guide is not only an expert but also personable and friendly, engaging visitors of all knowledge levels with their home city, both past and present. Contact us and book your Salzburg tour today!

Christmas in Salzburg

Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Salzburg is perfectly poised for the ideal Christmas atmosphere, and hosts a plethora of unique holiday experiences. In addition to Christmas markets, here are some Christmassy destinations and events to take part in:

Window of Salzburg's Christmas musem, with the name in large bock letters and Christmas star decorations visible — *Photo by Ewald Ehtreiber, via Wikimedia Commons*

Christmas Museum – open until February 1, 2025

Located above Cafe Glockenspiel, this little museum exhibits collections of Christmas decorations, nativity scenes, and postcards from throughout the history of Central European Christmas. One special exhibition covers the period of 1840 to 1940, in which many of our modern depictions of Christmas developed. The unique collection of Christmas decorations is a must for any Christmas enthusiast all year round, but especially so during the Christmas season.

Stillenacht Museum – all year round

Fans of Christmas carols may want to make the trek to Oberndorf – about an hour by public transit and 40 minutes by car – where you can visit the museum dedicated to the writers of the famous Christmas carol “Silent Night” and the time in which they lived, with immersive exhibitions and thoughtful reflections. You can also visit the Stillenacht Chapel, a memorial chapel erected at the site where the carol was first performed.

Two people in devilish Krampus costumes at a nighttime Krampus run in Salzburg, Austria

Krampus run – various dates, December 2024

Other parts of Central Europe celebrate St. Nicholas in early December, but in Austria, particularly in smaller cities such as Salzburg, you’re more likely to encounter Krampus, a horned demon who according to legend accompanies St. Nicholas to scare children into being good. All throughout Austria are “Krampus runs,” parades where people dress as the creature and run, walk or dance to amuse and scare spectators.

Hellbrunner Adventzauber has a Krampus run on December 4, while Krampuses will be running through Old Town and the main Christmas market on December 5. However, some runs take place long after St. Nichloas Day, for the season for Krampus and his family of demons, known as Perchten, is said to be from the winter solstice to January 6. A traditional Perchten run will take place on the date of the Winter Solstice, December 21, at Mozartplatz this year.

New Year’s Eve in Salzburg

Colorful fireworks going off in the Old city of Salzburg and Festung Hohensalzburg at New Year's Eve.

On New Year’s Eve, the Christmas markets in Salzburg transform into festival grounds, with live music performed on stage and giant screens showcasing New Year’s fireworks around the globe on display. At midnight, the bells of Salzburg Cathedral ring in the New Year, and fireworks shoot off around the fortress. Visit the main Christmas market in Old Town if you prefer to be in the thick of things, or find a place with a nice view of the fortress if you’d rather sit back and watch the display from afar.

If you prefer to ring in the New Year with the sounds of classical orchestras, Salzburg has concerts at Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Large Festival Hall, and the Mozarteum. The year, the Large Festival Hall’s program takes listeners to the sunny Mediterranean coast to escape from the dreary Alpine winters, while the Mozarteum spotlights contemporary accordionist Richard Galliano and violinist Gregory Ahss. The concert at Hohensalzburg Fortress sticks with the classics, including Salzburg’s own Mozart.

Special Events

Winterfest – November 27, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Winterfest, the biggest circus festival in the German-speaking world, has achieved international fame in the contemporary circus world for the fantastic acts that perform there. Prepare to be amazed by world-class acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, and dancers performing incredible feats and gravity-defying stunts. This year’s headliners include NoFit State Circus from Wales and Theatre d’Un Jour from Belgium.

The Mozarteum University Salzburg historic building facade, Salzburg, Austria

Mozart Week – 23 January – 2 February 2025

All throughout the week of Mozart’s birthday (January 27), Salzburg celebrates every year with an internationally renowned concert series. Ever since 1956, the 200th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, the city becomes even more alive with music: orchestral, solo, and chamber performances of Mozart’s works, as well as classical and contemporary composers, take place all over Salzburg.

Performances

Two marionette puppets dancing on state at Salzburg Marionette Theater in Salzburg, Austria — *Photo by Didi43, via Wikimedia Commons*

Die Fledermaus at Salzburg Marionette Theater – various dates, December 2024

This marionette adaptation of Strauss’s renowned operetta brings a bit of whimsy and fun to the performance. Colorful and intricately detailed puppets sing, dance, and even fly on the tiny stage as they retell a tale of last chances and petty grievances among Austria’s upper class. With the region’s long tradition of marionette theater, this rendition of Die Fledermaus is bound to be special!

Hänsel und Gretel at the Salzburg State Theater – Select dates between December 7, 2024 and January 31, 2025

This opera adaptation of the famous fairy tale puts the story to music, with magical creatures, enchanting set design, and song and dance numbers that are sure to stick in children’s heads for days and weeks to come. Performed in German with English subtitles.

Outdoor Fun

Ski slope at Flachau, Austria, covered in snow, with some builings in the foreground and a ski lift in the background.

Ski trip out of town

If you’re going to be *this* close to the Alps in winter, you need to plan at least one skip trip nearby! Salzburg may be located in the foothills rather than the peaks, but both novice and experienced skiers can find places to ski just a short drive away. Visit Flachau, Wagrain, or St. Johann – Alpendorf, all an hour’s drive from Salzburg and each with trails suitable for all skill levels.

People skating on the ice rink on Mozart Square, Salzburg, Austria

Ice skating

And it’s not winter in Europe until the outdoor ice skating rinks are set up! In Salzburg, you can skate on the Eiszauber rink erected on Mozartplatz from November 14 to January 31, with the unique backdrop of the Neueresidenz and the Cathedral.

To get to know this Christmassy city even better, contact us at Insight Cities and arrange a tour with us today! We have a team of knowledgeable and personable guides to show you around and take you on a journey through Salzburg’s long and varied history.