bliss lane
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
No title available
Mike Driver
JVL
❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
NASA
𓃗
occasionally subtle
🪼
Show & Tell
cherry valley forever
almost home
Cosimo Galluzzi
trying on a metaphor
No title available
todays bird
★
Today's Document
Misplaced Lens Cap
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Moldova
seen from Bangladesh
seen from France
seen from Türkiye
seen from Türkiye
seen from Iraq
seen from United States
seen from Spain
seen from United States
seen from Iraq
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from Venezuela
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Paraguay
seen from United States
seen from United States
@viennamarkets
Day 1: "The Magic of the Advent” Festival at the Rathaus
It’s BIG. It’s LOUD. It’s CHRISTMAS.
The market-palooza in front of Vienna's city hall is the most famous, and crowded, of them all. Lights, trumpets, ice skating, inflated prices on flimsy ornaments -- it's definitely an experience. If you’d like to do some actual shopping, avoid the weekends at all costs. Find a little breathing room in the "purple forest” to the side of the market. Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 2: Weihnachtsmarkt am Stephansplatz
The Stephansdom itself overshadows this narrow market, but the distinct green stalls offer a range of worthwhile products. There’s a special emphasis on lavender, honey, and other regional food specialties. You can also warm up with a bread bowl full of soup.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 3: Weihnachtszauber am Michaelerplatz
The prim white stalls in front of the Hofburg palace make for an imperial little market, and how often can you say you've shopped while standing atop Roman ruins? (Let's just overlook the fact that these particular ruins are believed to have been a brothel for soldiers.) You'll mostly find snacks at this one, along with Austrian hats and a smattering of other crafts.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 4: Freyung Markt, Altwiener Christkindlmarkt & Kariativer Weihnachtsmarkt
This three-in-one market is set up in front of the yellow Schottenkirche (Scottish Church). For such a small plaza, it's big on history: a Christmas market has been held on this site every year since 1772. Hungarian vendors are a speciality here. You'll find jewelers from Budapest, UNESCO-protected blue-dye fabrics, and some of the prettiest gingerbreads in town.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 5: Weihnachtsdorf at Universität Campus/Altes AKH
The "old hospital" green space is a popular gathering point for university students and faculty all year round. In December, it transforms into a market with a mini-ferris wheel, ice-skating rink, and a massive patio for mulled-wine drinkers. Items for sale mostly include cheap jewelry and toys, but you can also find some beautiful stained-glass pieces and nativity carvings from Bethlehem-based artists.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 6: Adventmarkt Am Hof
Considering its prime location in the first district, Am Hof may not be not the showiest market, but its vendors are high-quality artisans who make leather works, ceramics, soaps and more. After you make the short loop around the stalls, dive into hearty Tyrolean fare like groestl (a mashup of potatoes, bacon, cheese, and onions) or kasespaetzle (tangy mac & cheese).
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 7: Weihnachtsorf Maria-Theresien-Platz
A solid, straightforward market with products similar to the Rathaus market, but without the crowd. Wood-cut ornaments are a standout here, and Vienna’s top museums make for a pretty backdrop.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 8: Weihnachtsmarkt Am Spittelberg
Vienna’s “Christmas maze” is more popular with locals than tourists. Instead of being anchored to a plaza in front of a city landmark, this market threads through the alleyways and side streets of the arty 7th district. It blends with storefronts and pop-up Christmas shops, which makes for a “holiday neighborhood” feel. Without question, this market also offers the most diversity in terms of punsch flavors.
Photo: Sandra Knisely
Day 9: Art Advent at the Karlskirche
This rustic-themed market in front of Vienna’s iconic Baroque church has some of the best quality gifts anywhere in the city. Vendors offer finely carved knives, hand-made soaps, woolen goods, and leather-bound books, and much more. On the weekends, there’s a live music stage and a petting zoo with sheep, goats, and the occasional alpaca. No reindeer, though. Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 10: Christmas Village at Schloß Belvedere
The Belvedere palace houses a prestigious art gallery, with Klimt's “The Kiss” as its anchor. But there’s little more than kitsch at its Christmas market -- and the overpowering smell of pungent Alpine cheese. Some of the punsch vendors wear 18th-century costumes; the server’s expression sums up the experience of this particular market pretty well.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 11: Christ Church Advent Bazaar
Every year, Vienna's Anglican church holds a one-day-only Christmas bazaar aimed at congregating the city's English speakers under one big roof. English-language books are the main attraction, along with jams and “Christmas crackers.” Instead of punsch, there's a whisky-tasting stall run by cheery folk who don't bat an eye at "one more" instead of “ein mal.”
Regardless of your religious beliefs, the bazaar is a pleasant stop, because the Brits make Christmas just a little more magical. Literally -- that guy's a magician.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 12: Wintermarkt in the Prater
Vienna's historic amusement park transforms into a lively event space on weekends throughout Advent season. The market itself is mostly comprised of food and chocolate stalls. A highlight is seeing the 100-year-old Riesenrad lit up in purple, Vienna’s favorite Advent season color. Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 13: Weihnachtsmarkt at Hotel Schloß Wilhelminenberg
This hotel is designed as an elegant escape from the hustle and bustle of Vienna, and in the summer months, you can sample wine from the property’s own vineyard. The Christmas market is very small, but the real reason to come is to sip eierlikör, the Dutch equivalent of eggnog, with a spectacular view of the city lights from above. You can buy some hand-painted candles and advent wreaths, too.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 14: Mariahilferstrasse
Located in front of the Church of Mariahilf, this market is engulfed by Vienna’s main shopping district. The hand-glazed ceramics, woodcut ornaments, and organic sausages are easy to miss if you’re distracted by the neon lights of the big-brand stores on all sides.
Photo: Sandra Knisely
Day 15: Weinachtsmarkt in der Mahlerstrasse
This little market is all about specialty food items, such as wine, honey, kiachl, gingerbreads, and truffles the size of your palm. Sponsored by a local cafe, the market is a quaint pitstop to fortify yourself before entering the adjacent Ringstrasse Gallerie, Vienna's higher-end mall.
Photo: Sandra Knisely
Day 16: Weihnachtsmarkt im Türkenschanzpark
One of Vienna’s best-kept secrets, Türkenschanzpark is tucked in the underrated 18th district. It’s a wonderfully private breath of fresh air, and its Christmas market is quietly charming. A Belgian waffle stand is at the center of the action, and you’ll also find stalls dedicated children’s toys and dog treats.
Photos: Sandra Knisely
Day 17: Medieval Market in front of the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
Swords, chain mail, potion vials, archery, bubbling cauldrons, meat grilling on a spit, open flames – this is a tough market to beat. For one weekend, Vienna’s military history museum transforms into a Renaissance market, and if you’re looking to freshen up your weaponry or period costumes, this is the place to come. It’s absurdly packed but worth your patience. Also, Krampus floats around. Photos: Sandra Knisely