Advent in Tirol
Last updated on 22.11.2019
Almost no one can pull themselves away from the magic of Advent in the Tirol mountains: when it gets darker earlier, ambient lighting illuminates the historic squares and alleys, and the smell of mulled wine and Christmas baking wafts through the air, both young and old delve into the magic of Christmas. These nine “Advent in Tirol” markets invite you to enjoy the peaceful sides of this special time.
Atmospheric hours, culinary delights and regional traditions far away from the Christmas hustle and bustle – this is what visitors to all nine of the “Advent in Tirol” markets (Innsbruck, Seefeld, Achensee, Hall in Tirol, Kitzbühel, Kufstein, Lienz, Rattenberg, St. Johann in Tirol) can experience. When they merged, the markets devoted themselves to fulfilling the highest quality criteria. They range from the appearance to the products on offer at the stalls right up to the varied programme, which presents itself full of cultural offerings and lived tradition.
New at “Advent in Tirol”: Seefeld
Each market is anchored in its region and demonstrates these close ties in an impressive fashion with individual programmes and culinary specialities. With the new “Advent in Tirol” partner, Seefeld, the regional offer has become richer by another facet. As well as the atmospheric market bustle on the Seefeld village square, there are guided tours of the chapel where you can experience the long-forgotten traditions in an impressive manner and learn lots of interesting things how life used to be.
“Advent in Tirol” – this means experiencing the atmospheric hours in medieval cities, in castles, in picturesque villages, at the lake or on a boat and in the regional capital of Tirol. And what would Advent and Christmas time be without the many culinary indulgences and delicacies that we look forward to all year round? You can find the delicious Tirol doughnuts at almost every market: the popular Tirol yeasted dough speciality can be enjoyed as you like it – sweet with sugar or cranberries or hearty with sauerkraut. Mulled wine and punch, tea or hot chocolate, roasted almonds and hot chestnuts are also part of your visit.
Enough to make children’s eyes light up
Advent is best when you can spend it together with your nearest and dearest. The pre-Christmas period is full of magic and sparkle, especially for children: at the “Advent in Tirol” markets, our little visitors can dive into fantasy worlds with fairy-tale storytellers. Petting zoos, rides on the children’s carousel or Christmas crafts workshops will make children’s eyes light up, with a journey on the children’s nostalgia railway, pony rides or toasting twist bread on the campfire, the time will fly until the baby Jesus arrives.
Silent Night staging at all markets
In line with the anniversary, in 2018 “Advent in Tirol” has commissioned the staging of a musical play based on the contribution of the Tirol choirs to spread probably the most famous Christmas carol. And this year too, in this way, on some days, you can encounter singers at all markets who look just like Tirol choirs might have looked 200 years ago, and do the same as they did 200 years ago: provide Tirol culture as they sing. Here, they tell the success story of “Silent Night” and excite and reach out to visitors with Tirol Advent and Christmas carols, such as “Wo sein denn heit die Schafersbuam” or “Geh Hansl, pack dei Binggal zsam.” (dates at www.adventintirol.com)
An overview of the individual markets
Achensee
At Achensee, you can experience the Advent period on water and on land. Visitors find Christmas at the lake (Seeweihnacht) particularly festive with the floating Christmas market on the Achensee boats. The tranquil Bergadvent around the Fischergut in Pertisau is no less enjoyable, because here we don’t just have the smell of lebkuchen, cinnamon and mulled wine wafting through the air, but a varied programme also invites us to the wonderfully decorated old barn. You can also visit the walk-in advent wreath in the middle of a small “Christmas tree forest” – now the distinctive mark of the festive market.
Bergadvent opening times: Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December – 1.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m., Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December – 1.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m., Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December – 1.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m., Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December 1.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. Tirol Mountain Christmas (Tiroler Bergweihnacht) in “Sixenhof”: 24 November – 27 December, Sat/Sun/public holiday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Seeweihnacht departure times: Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December – 1.30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Friday 6 December – 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December – 1.30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Friday 13 December 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December – 1.30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Christmas on the MS Achensee: Monday 16 until Friday 22 December every day – 3 p.m., Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December – 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., Monday 23 until Friday 27 December – 3 p.m. – booking required!
Hall in Tirol
Advent in Hall has a very special mood and at the same time, a unique lighting concept: as the big day draws nearer each day, anticipation at the Oberer Stadtplatz is visible in particular with the Advent calendar which overlays the sides of the houses. In the alleys of the medieval old town, Stars and Christmas symbols draw attention to the special time with their warm, pleasant light. Singing and making music, choirs and brass bands from Hall and the surrounding area ensure festive moments at the Advent market, far away from the stress and the hustle and bustle. The daily children’s programme will impress with fairy-tale storytellers, a crafts workshop and the petting zoo. A very special guest is the star of the show for the youngest visitors – the good-natured camel Ali.
Opening times: 22 November until 24 December, Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. until 8 p.m., on 24 December from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., the food and drink stalls close each day at 9 p.m.
Innsbruck
The mountain Christmas celebrations (Bergweihnacht) in Innsbruck invite guests from near and far to spend some pleasant hours at six atmospheric locations with over 200 Christmas stalls. Traditional and romantic in the old town, familiar and with village character on the Marktplatz, peaceful, authentic and reflective in St. Nikolaus, modern and bright in Maria-Theresien-Straße, artful and cosy in Wilten and with a unique panoramic view of Innsbruck from Hungerburg. All Advent markets offer original gift ideas, Christmas tree decorations, traditional crafts and many culinary delights. The programme is just as varied for both young and old: Nikolaus and Perchten parades or the tower trumpeters, children’s theatre, crafts workshop and of course, the fairy-tale and giant alley will make the time fly by. As well as both characteristic Christmas trees – the majestic fir in front of the golden roof and the Swarovski crystal tree on the Marktplatz– the nostalgia railway has been a particular highlight for a few years now, and ensures a traditional Christmas mood across the whole town.
Bergweihnacht Innsbruck opening times: 15 November until 6 January, in detail:
Old town and Marktplatz Christmas market: 15 November until 23 December, daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas market: 25 November until 6 January 2020, daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., 24 December 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., 31 December 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Christmas market in St. Nikolaus: 22 November until 23 December, daily from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Hungerburg Christmas market: 16 November until 23 December, Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wilten Christmas magic: 25 November until 21 December, Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., closed on Sunday.
Kitzbühel
The pre-Christmas period in the “Gamsstadt” is designed with magical perfection. In the most beautiful time of the year, a reflective mood falls over the legendary sporting town of Kitzbühel. The charming Advent market in the centre of town as well as the small alleyways are bathed in a pleasant, festive glow from the Christmas lighting. The large Advent wreath behind the Katharinenkirche also provides special flair. On all opening days, children can enjoy pony rides and getting up close to animals at the children’s farm. Our little visitors can do arts and crafts, draw, listen to storytellers or bake cookies every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. in the crafts area. There is also a festive mood every Saturday at the Hirtenfeuer with Cornelia Miedler, when baked apples and shepherd’s breads are made.
Opening times: 27 November until 26 December, Wednesday to Friday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday 24 December from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 December from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday 4 December: Barbara celebration (Patron Saint of Miners) in the Jochberg copper plate mine from 6 p.m. Friday 6 December: Big Santa parade in the Christmas village from 4.30 p.m. and there is a little Santa sack for all the good children.
Kufstein
The end of November brings the magic of Advent into the Kufstein Stadtpark and the imperial fortress. A festive and reflective mood spreads itself through the Advent market on the town square as well as the Christmas decoration and the diverse children’s programme with carousel, nostalgia railway and barbecued shepherd’s bread at the campfire. Musicians from the region raise traditional songs. The regional, culinary delicacies such as Zillertaler Krapfen and Kiachl ensure a pre-Christmas feast for the senses. The Kufstein Advent ceramic glasses are also traditional, and filled with mulled wine and punch.
A particular highlight takes place during the Advent weekends inside the walls of the historic Kufstein fortress: a wonderfully decorated and designed Christmas world awaits visitors in the Josefsburg casemates and the outdoor area. Culinary delicacies, local handcrafts and selected gift ideas create a Christmas mood in a snap. In the Christmas workshop and making crafts with hay, little visitors can get creative themselves and make decorations for the most beautiful time of the year. The sweet scent of cinnamon and chocolate wafts out of the Christmas bakery where children can conjure up different kinds of delicious biscuits.
Stadtpark opening times: 29 November until 22 December, Tuesday to Friday: 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Weihnachtszauber / Christmas magic – Kufstein fortress opening times: Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1 December, Saturday 7 December, Sunday 8 December, Saturday 14 December, Sunday 15 December, Saturday 21 December and Sunday 22 December from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Lienz
Going back to our childhood – this is the motto of the Advent market in Lienz. The Hauptplatz and the Liebburg become an idyllic place of anticipation in the weeks before Christmas. The imposing Liebburg castle with its two round towers transform into a stylish, oversized Advent calendar. Each day, one of the Advent windows is opened ceremoniously, and behind each one, there is an artwork from a regional artist. At the market, open fireplaces provide a warm and cosy atmosphere, while visitors enjoy the culinary delights. Numerous nostalgic programme elements such as the nativity display, night-watchman tours or the live workshop give interesting insights into the traditions and customs of the region. You can also take a look over the shoulders of craftspeople and artists as they engage in glass-blowing, felting, making ceramics and jewellery as well as create celebration cards at the cosy and homely Advent market.
Opening times: 22 November to 24 December, Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. (food and drink available until 9 p.m.), Friday until Sunday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. (food and drink available until 9 p.m.). Lienz family Advent: 16 until 20 December from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Nativity display: 6 until 15 December, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Rattenberg
The Advent market in Rattenberg, the smallest town in Austria, is designed completely in line with the peace, reflectiveness, custom and tradition, and it is celebrating 20 years of existence this year. We choose not to use electric lights, so the medieval alleys and squares are aglow in soft light from candles, torches and open fire. The stillest time of the year is given expression in an artful manner with a varied programme. Traditional customs and local songs are the focus of the performances on the stage, which are presented by local artists to both young and old. As part of the silent Advent, the Anklöpfler and Weisenbläser ensure a Christmas mood as they make their way through the town. We largely make an effort to avoid sales stalls, which can be found at all other Christmas markets. Instead, the Rattenberg glass artists opened their business, which means that visitors can experience this special feature of the town. Our youngest visitors can even try glass-blowing themselves and create their own Christmas bauble. The Rattenberg Advent wine is just one of the regional specialities which provides excitement at the refreshment stalls. The Silent Night staging takes place in Rattenberg on every Saturday of Advent – the meeting point is next to the nailmakers’ houses at 4.15 p.m.
Opening times: 23 and 24 November, 29 November until 1 December, 6 until 8 December, 13 until 15 December and 20 until 22 December 2019. Fridays from 4 p.m. Advent walk and from 5 p.m. Advent concert (free entry); Saturdays from 2.30 p.m. – Start of the music, culture and children’s programme (Culture contribution only Saturdays € 5); Sundays 3.30 p.m. (Silent Advent / Anklöpfler move through the town)
“Engel in und über Rattenberg” exhibition in the Augustiner Museum: Fri-Sun 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
St. Johann in Tirol
A place to enjoy, be amazed and while away the hours: at the St. Johann Christmas market, local delicacies bring culinary moments – traditional and creative dishes, homemade and nicely arranged, making every foodie’s heart beat faster. At the sales stalls, you will find only regional, tastefully produced crafts, Christmas baking, smoked products, artwork and much more. Both young and old will definitely be drawn into the pre-Christmas spirit with the varied programme when visiting the St. Johann Advent market. The marvellous scent of Christmas baking wafts through the air around the children’s biscuit bakery, while Christmas arts and crafts can be made with children using natural materials in “Michi’s Eck’n”. An arts and crafts course is also offered to adults by the farmers from the region. Together with the Waldläuferin, you can explore “Die Magie des Räucherns” and track down “true” stories during a legendary tour. On the stage, which gives off a cosy “living-room” feel, there are performances by local musicians and festive concerts.
Opening times: Every Friday until Sunday of the Advent weeks from 29 November until 22 December and on 23 & 24 December, Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., Monday 23 December from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., 24 December 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Seefeld
The romantic Christmas market in Seefeld promises an atmospheric Advent and pre-Christmas period. In the charming huts built in the Tirol log cabin style, culinary delicacies, fragrant mulled wine and hot punch await visitors, as well as regional handmade crafts and beautiful gift ideas. You can feel the magic of the most reflective time of the year, especially in the evening when the Seefelder Weisenbläser play and choirs offer up traditional Christmas carols. There is a varied programme for our younger visitors: they can post their letters to the baby Jesus in the angels’ post office (Fri-Sun), ride on the good-natured ponies or spend some time on our own little sledging hill. With the “Klingender Advent am Seefelder Plateau” – a festive concert series where, among others, Eva Lind performs Christmas songs in the Seefeld Pfarrkirche and the traditional chapel tours (every Friday & Saturday at 5 p.m.) in Leutasch offer further highlights for Advent in the Olympiaregion Seefeld.
Opening times: Friday 29 November 2019 until Sunday 5 January 2020, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
You can find all the information, including opening times and the detailed programme of the markets at www.adventintirol.com.
