Looking for information on visiting the Salzburg Christmas Markets? We enjoyed exploring the Christmas Markets in Salzburg as part of a Christmas family road trip from London to Italy. In this guide, I will share details about what to expect visiting the charming Christmas Markets in Salzburg, Austria, with up-to-date information for the upcoming festive season.
Salzburg Christmas Markets
Located in north-central Austria, and near border of Germany, Salzburg is a picturesque city at the foot of the Eastern Alps. Known for stunning alpine scenery, rich musical heritage and well-preserved Baroque architecture, Salzburg is a popular tourist destination year-round.
During the festive season, visitors from all over the world come to enjoy the vibrant Salzburg Christmas Markets in the heart of the historic city centre.
Christmas Markets in Salzburg 2025
20 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
There are four main Christmas Markets in Salzburg city centre: the main Salzburg Christkindmarkt, the Sternadvent Christmas Market, the Mirabellplaz Christmas Market, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress Advent Market.
This festive season, the Salzburg Christkindmarkt will be open from 20 November 2025 to 1 January 2026. End dates vary for the smaller Christmas Markets, such as Mirabellplaz, which is open until 31 December, and Sternadvent, which is open until 6 January. The Hohensalzburg Fortress Advent is open from 21 November to 21 December.
The Salzburg Christmas Markets opening hours typically are as follows;
- Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 9pm
- Saturday: 9am to 9pm
- Sunday and Holiday: 9am to 8:30pm
On the following days, the Christmas Markets in Salzburg will have special opening hours;
- 7 December: 10am to 9:30pm
- 24 December: 9am to 3pm
- 25 and 26 December: 11am to 6pm
- 31 December: 10am to 6pm (Gastronomy until 1am)
- 1 January: 11am to 6pm
Between all of the Salzburg Christmas Markets, you will find hundreds of stalls selling a wide range of gifts and local specialties, from handmade Christmas decor to woolen hats and gloves to wooden Nativity sets and traditional wooden toys.
Delicious food items to look out for at the Salzburg Christmas Market stalls include pretzels, roasted chestnuts, Austrian sausage sandwiches, chimney cakes, traditional shredded pancakes with rum raisins and sugar and Mozart Balls, small chocolate balls made with pistachio, marzipan and nougat.
Salzburger Christkindmarkt
20 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
The main Christmas Market, Salzburger Christkindmarkt, spans four of the major squares, including the historic Cathedral Square and Residenz Square. The Salzburger Christkindmarkt features an ice skating rink, 100 traditional market stalls and a wide variety of Austrian food specialties, mulled wine and hot punch.
The origins of the famous Salzburg Christmas Market go back to the late 15th century, when the so-called “Tandlmarkt” would be held on Cathedral Square, offering a wide range of goods for the locals to buy. By the 17th century, the Advent market evolved into the “Nikolaimarkt”, or “Saint Nicholas’ Market”, held two weeks before and two weeks after St Nicolas Day (6 November).
Now known as the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, this famous Christmas market officially opens on the Thursday preceding the first Sunday in Advent. Visitors to the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt can enjoy traditional Christmas decorations and a packed event programme of children’s activities, Krampus parades, choral concerts and festive performances.
Sternadvent Christmas Market
20 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
The Sternadvent Christmas Market is tucked away between the Getreidegasse and the Griesgasse. Sternbräu is a popular brewery in downtown Salzburg and at Christmas, its large courtyard is turned into a village of elaborately decorated market stall chalets.
The Sternadvent Christmas Market continues after Christmas and is open as a winter market until 6 January, later than the other Salzburg Christmas Markets, which typically close on 1 January.
Mirabellplatz Christmas Market
20 November – 31 December 2025
The picturesque Mirabellplatz Christmas Market is located in front of the Mirabell Palace, on the other side of the river from Christkindlmarkt. Away from the big crowds, Mirabellplatz is popular with locals and features Christmas treats, mulled wine and punch and a wide selection of delicious foods.
Hohensalzburg Fortress Advent Market
21 November – 21 December 2025
For a unique Christmas Market experience in Salzburg, head to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for the Advent Market high above the rooftops. Hohensalzburg Fortress offers stunning panoramic views overlooking the beautifully lit old town Salzburg.
The Christmas market in the fortress courtyard has a selection of local crafts, handmade gifts and Salzburg seasonal delicacies. One of the highlights of the Hohensalzburg Fortress Christmas Market is enjoying the freshly baked Flammkuchen from the historic bakery.
Salzburg Christmas Markets Information
This year, the main Salzburg Christmas Market will be running from 20 November 2025. The Hohensalzburg Fortress Advent is open from 21 November to 21 December. Mirabellplaz Christmas Market is open from 20 November to 31 December, while the Sternadvent is open from 20 November to 6 January.
Typically, the Salzburg Christmas Markets opening hours are as follows;
- Monday to Thursday: 10am to 8:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 9pm
- Saturday: 9am to 9pm
- Sunday and Holiday: 9am to 8:30pm
On the following days, the Christmas Markets in Salzburg will have special opening hours;
- 7 December: 10am to 9:30pm
- 24 December: 9am to 3pm
- 25 and 26 December: 11am to 6pm
- 31 December: 10am to 6pm (Gastronomy until 1am)
- 1 January: 11am to 6pm
Official Website and Events Programme – www.salzburg.info
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Pin for Later – Guide to Salzburg Christmas Markets
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). This post was updated on 20 November 2025 with the most up to date visitor information for the Salzburg Christmas Markets.
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