A feast for all the senses: Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the Innsbruck Region

Last updated on 24.10.2024

The time from around Christmas Eve to the turn of the year is always a special experience in the Innsbruck region. This year, too, there are all sorts of meditative and enlightening, traditional and cherished, new and unusual things to discover: in Telfs, for example, the Christmas musical “Scrooge” celebrates its premiere, while in Innsbruck there are once again seven Christmas markets offering arts and crafts and tasty delicacies. The New Year’s Eve programme is just as varied, offering far more than “just” the spectacular fireworks display.

A short journey back in time: the Victorian Christmas in Telfs 
Charles Dickens’ tale “A Christmas Carol” is considered an absolute classic. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an embittered old man who is haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, has long been world-famous. Now it forms the basis for “Scrooge”, a new musical format that will for the first time be performed in Telfs this year. With elaborate costumes and touching music, not to mention a surprise or two, the play promises entertainment for all the family over eight days in December. Accompanying this is a Victorian-style Christmas market on the Eduard-Wallnöfer-Platz that will transport visitors back to 19th century London (from Friday to Sunday, 6 to 22 December 2024). 

A wealth of scents and sounds: Christmas markets in Innsbruck 
Arts and crafts, gift ideas and all sorts of delicacies – this and more besides can be found on the many stalls of Innsbruck’s Christmas markets between 15 November 2024 and 6 January 2025. The markets – seven in all, each with a different focus – create a festive atmosphere throughout the city. There are not only fine items to taste and buy, but also a varied supporting programme for visitors to discover and experience. The market on the city’s market square, for example, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary, will be illuminated by a sparkling Swarovski crystal tree; while a new legendary figure will be appearing in the old town to mark the 20th anniversary of the Giants and Giantesses. 

Between angels and devils: processions through the region 
Tradition and customs play a particularly important role around Christmas Eve in the Innsbruck region. At the Igls Christmas in the Mountains (23 December 2024), for example, everything revolves around the Christ Child, who parades through Igls village centre, along with Mary and Joseph and some 200 angels, shepherds and animals – including a living nativity scene. In many of the villages around the capital of Tyrol, on the other hand, matters become wilder when the Krampus or “Tuifl” (devils) have their way. This year they will be raising the roof in Sellrain (30 November 2024) and Axams (5 December 2024), sometimes with literally fiery results. 

A wonderful world of light: LUMAGICA Innsbruck in the Imperial Gardens 
LUMAGICA sees Innsbruck’s Imperial Gardens transformed for the fifth time into a magical park of lights this winter, from 15 November 2024 to 2 February 2025. Under the motto “Peace, Love, Family”, a variety of impressive light shows can once again be seen along a circular route of approximately one kilometre in length. The displays range from colourful flowers and enchanting butterflies to abstract elements and installations that invite visitors to participate. All of these works of art have one thing in common, however: they create unforgettable experiences that will cause young and old alike to marvel and dream.

Ringing in the new: New Year’s Eve in the Mountains in and around Innsbruck 
It’s not only in such international metropolises as Sydney and New York that the turn of the year is celebrated in style: the capital of Tyrol also offers a wide-ranging and exciting programme – and plenty of opportunities to celebrate, of course. Younger guests will delight in the various play and craft stations on offer at the Children’s New Year’s Eve, celebrated on 30 December 2024 in Innsbruck’s old town and on the square in front of the State Theatre. The following day, the same square plays host to the “grownups”, who can get in the mood for the upcoming New Year with a live band and DJ before the countdown to the start of the spectacular fireworks display on the Nordkette range. Afterwards, SILVESTERBEATS, Austria’s biggest indoor New Year’s Eve clubbing event, opens its doors at the Congress Centre to all those wanting to dance late into the night. 

Top tip: lights on!  
As part of the Christmas in the Mountains celebrations, from 29 December 2024 to 6 January 2025 there will be innovative 3D light projections by international artists onto four prominent building façades in Innsbruck, including the Imperial Palace and the rows of houses in the Mariahilf district. Meanwhile, from 1 to 6 January 2025, visitors can enjoy truly illuminating insights into the Twelve Nights of Christmas in the Waltherpark where, at various stations, atmospheric light installations on trees and wooden portals clearly illustrate the tradition.

About Innsbruck Tourismus
Innsbruck Tourismus is the official destination management organisation of the Innsbruck region which extends from the Tyrolean capital to more than 40 surrounding towns – from the Inn Valley to the Mieming Plateau, and from Kühtai to the Sellraintal valley. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays in 2023, the Innsbruck region is one of the largest tourist attractions in Austria and a unique symbiosis of vibrant urban space and fascinating mountain world. One moment you’re enjoying sightseeing and the buzz of a diverse city, the next you’re off on your next cycling or hiking tour, or your next skiing or winter hiking experience. The free Welcome Card for visitors is the key that unlocks the region’s endless diversity, granting free use of public transport and making it easy to experience all sorts of wonderful highlights in a sustainable way. Innsbruck Tourismus has a staff of some 90 employees, and visitors are the focus of their every thought and action. Inspired by their passion for this alpine-urban space, they share their knowledge and love of the area with visitors so that they can enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience in harmony with people and nature. With a total of 12 information offices, Innsbruck Tourismus is always close at hand, right at the heart of the action and with its finger on the pulse – a hub and focal point for local characters’ authentic stories and personal impressions which can be found on the popular blog and social channels at #myinnsbruck.

Further links:
Blog: www.innsbruck.info/blog 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Innsbruck 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/innsbrucktourism 
Twitter: twitter.com/InnsbruckTVB 
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/InnsbruckTVB 
Pinterest: www.pinterest.at/innsbrucktvb/_created