I’ve visited all Christmas markets in Vienna over the years and Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market is one of my favourites. Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market is simply one of the most enchanting holiday experiences that you can have in Vienna. Read on to find out what you can do at Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market.

About Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace is a gorgeous baroque palace that used to be the summer residence of the royal Habsburg dynasty. Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Vienna and it is an UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. You can walk freely around Schönbrunn Palace gardens and admire its many sculptures and fountains but if you want to explore the palace itself you must buy a ticket. There are also separate and combined tickets for other attractions within Schönbrunn Palace gardens such as the Imperial Carriage museum, the oldest ZOO in Europe, the palm house, the maze and many others. For practical information about palace tickets click here. Suffice to say that empress Sissi lived at the palace with her husband Franz Joseph and their family. Therefore, you can see many objects and clothes associated with this 19th century fashion icon and influencer at Schönbrunn palace.

My visit to Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market

I have done the palace tour years ago and I highly recommend it. It usually takes up to an hour so after that you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere of the Christmas market and to try out some festive Austrian drinks and delicacies. Then, you can burn off some of those calories by walking up to Gloriette to admire beautiful views of the palace and Vienna. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market several times. But that was years ago. So, I was very excited to see what has changed at Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market this year.

Firstly, as I walked under the big Christmas star I noticed the huge Christmas tree which is a staple of this market. But then I saw two carousels, kid’s mini train and a Ferris Wheel which haven’t been there previously. If you come around the market’s opening time ( 10 AM) on a weekday or even at the weekends like I did, you’ll enjoy some unusual peace and quiet. However, that won’t last long because already after 11 AM there are a lot of people around. It gets quite crowded in the afternoons and evenings.

As usually, you’ll find plenty of stalls with handicrafts, Christmas ornaments and decorations, woolen hats, gloves and scarves, leather notebooks, toys and many more. You can find great handmade souvenirs here and support small, local businesses.

For me, the small ice-rink was also something new. It’s actually free of charge for under 15 years old. You just need to rent the ice-skates if you haven’t brought yours. There was also something that resembled an ice-rink but actually it wasn’t that. It is for some game or sports but since nobody was there I haven’t got a clue about its real purpose.

Some people were taking photos with haystacks. Of course, you cannot climb on them and there was even a kind of haystacks maze for the kids.

Unfortunately, I didn’t run into carol singers as I used to during my previous visits but I read later that there are still daily music performances.

There are plenty of food & drinks stalls at Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market. Beware, when you pay for your mulled wine or punch or hot chocolate you also have to pay 5 EUR deposit for your mug. After you finish your drink, you can take your mug and get another drink (this time you pay just for the drink) or you can return the mug and get back your 5 EUR deposit. Generally, drinks cost around 11 EUR including the mug deposit. If you want to keep the beautiful Christmas market mug then you don’t get your deposit back but you have a lovely souvenir to take home. Every Christmas market has a different mug design and they usually change it every year. This year’s Schönbrunn mug is white with the palace on it on the one side and the portrait of Sissy on another side. Just don’t put your Christmas market mug in a dishwasher or a microwave if you want it to last.

I was very eager to try Lindt hot chocolate this year since they opened a special Lindt corner at Schönbrunn palace Christmas market. Lindt corner is beautifully decorated and I had a small, classic hot chocolate but with add ons, whipped cream and rum. It was delicious! Supposedly, they also have chocolate workshops at this Lindt corner.

If you’re really hungry you can choose between different types of sausages, potato dishes, pasta dishes, chestnuts, Langos, doughnuts and pancakes and waffles etc. There’s a beautiful cafe & restaurant Gerstner at the palace too so you can warm up there as well.

This year the novelty is also the Imperial Lights show in the palace’s gardens. It must be spectacular. You have to book your tickets in advance. But if you come during the day you can still see those wonderful installations (free of charge) but without the lights switched on.

I really enjoyed this year’s Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market. It’s got something for everyone. Delicious food and drinks, handmade decorations, kid’s entertainment, ice-rink, carol singers and much more. And all that with the gorgeous backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace.

Practical Information

• Location: courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Vienna, Austria
• Opening Dates: open from November 6, 2025, to January 6, 2026. The market operates daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with slightly different hours on Christmas Eve (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) and on December 25th to January 4th (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM).
• Transport: Easily accessible via public transportation from the city center, including the U-Bahn (underground train line U4) and trams.

I visited Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace in November 2025.