Salzburg’s main Christkindlmarkt has centuries-old roots, and in its current form dates back to 1974. It fills Domplatz and Residenzplatz beneath the cathedral and Hohensalzburg Fortress, in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, and several smaller markets are within walking distance. Here’s the full 2026 lineup, with confirmed dates, the events worth timing your visit around, and which markets stay open after Christmas.
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⚡ Quick Answer
Don’t miss: The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt across Domplatz, Residenzplatz and parts of Kapitelplatz in the heart of the Old Town. Ice skating is nearby at Mozartplatz.
Fairytale setting: Hellbrunner Adventzauber at Hellbrunn Palace, where the palace courtyard and surrounding trees are transformed with Christmas lights and decorations.
Christmas-market day trip: St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen in the Salzkammergut.
Good to know: Salzburg’s markets don’t all run the same dates. The Fortress market is open on selected days only and ends December 20, and Hellbrunn closes on Christmas Eve, while Sternadvent continues until January 6.
🗓️ 2026 Dates at a Glance
| Market | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|
| Salzburger Christkindlmarkt (Domplatz & Residenzplatz) | Nov 19 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Hellbrunner Adventzauber | Nov 19 – Dec 24 (closed Mondays) |
| Mirabellplatz Christmas Market | Nov 19 – Dec 31 |
| Hohensalzburg Fortress Advent Market | Selected days, Nov 27 – Dec 20 |
| Sternadvent | Nov 19 – Jan 6, 2027 |
| Ice Magic skating at Mozartplatz | Nov 12 – Jan 31, 2027 |
Salzburg’s Best Christmas Markets, One by One
1. Salzburger Christkindlmarkt on Domplatz & Residenzplatz
Salzburg’s main Christkindlmarkt has centuries-old roots and fills Domplatz and Residenzplatz beneath the cathedral and Hohensalzburg Fortress, extending into parts of Kapitelplatz. Expect traditional wooden stalls, regional food and handcrafted goods. Separately, the Ice Magic skating area runs at nearby Mozartplatz.
2026 dates: November 19, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–8:30pm, Fri 10am–9pm, Sat 9am–9pm, Sun and holidays 9am–8:30pm. December 24: 9am–3pm; December 25–26: 11am–6pm; December 31: stalls until at least 6pm, with selected food and drink stands until 1am; January 1: 11am–6pm.
Getting there: Central Old Town, walkable from anywhere in the historic center
💡 Insider Tip: Visit after dark, when the illuminated Hohensalzburg Fortress above the market makes for a memorable evening backdrop.
2. Hellbrunner Adventzauber (Hellbrunn Palace)
About 5km south of the Old Town, this market fills the courtyard of Hellbrunn Palace with decorated conifers and lights. The palace facade doubles as a giant Advent calendar, and there are activities for families.
2026 dates: November 19 – December 24
Hours: Tue–Fri 1pm–8pm; Sat, Sun and December 8 10am–8pm; December 21 (a Monday) 1pm–8pm; December 24 10am–2pm. Closed other Mondays.
Admission: Salzburg’s tourist board lists €8 per person for 2026, including a hot-drink voucher, with free entry after 7pm, on December 24 and for children under 6. Check before visiting in case anything changes.
Getting there: Bus 25 from the city center to Schloss Hellbrunn
3. Mirabellplatz Christmas Market
Set in front of the baroque Mirabell Palace on the New Town side of the river, this market is smaller than the main Christkindlmarkt, with mulled wine, Christmas treats and crafts. It’s an easy stop before or after a walk through the Mirabell Gardens.
2026 dates: November 19 – December 31
Hours: Open daily (Sun–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–9pm); holiday hours vary.
Getting there: On Mirabellplatz, a short walk from the train station or across the river from the Old Town
4. Hohensalzburg Fortress Advent Market
Held in the fortress courtyard high above the city, with artisan goods, seasonal food and warm drinks, plus tarte flambée from the fortress’s historic bakery oven and a supervised children’s programme.
2026 dates: November 27–29, December 4–6, December 7–8, December 11–13 and December 18–20, 11am–7pm
Getting there: Walk up the footpath or take the FestungsBahn funicular. Check the fortress website for current ticket and admission details.
5. Sternadvent
Sternadvent sits in a decorated courtyard between Getreidegasse and Griesgasse and continues as a winter market after Christmas, with a focus on arts and crafts.
2026 dates: November 19, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Hours: Sun–Thu 11am–7pm, Fri–Sat 11am–8:30pm; December 24 and 31 10am–3pm; January 1–6 11am–6pm
Getting there: Entrances at Getreidegasse 34 and Griesgasse 23 in the Old Town
🎺 Christmas Events Worth Timing Your Visit Around
The Salzburger Christkindlmarkt has published its 2026 programme. A few highlights:
- Traditional tower brass: Thursdays and Saturdays during Advent at 6:30pm.
- Christkind appearances: Advent Sundays at 4pm (November 29, December 6, 13 and 20).
- Krampus run: Saturday, December 5, around 7pm.
- Nikolaus and Kinderkrampus: Sunday, December 6, 3:30pm.
- Perchten run: Monday, December 21, 7pm.
🏔️ Worth the Day Trip: St. Wolfgang & St. Gilgen
For a small-town contrast to the city markets, the Wolfgangsee villages of St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen in the Salzkammergut hold their own Advent markets by the lake. Check each village’s 2026 dates and transport options before you go, as they typically run on selected days rather than daily.
🎟️ Want a Christmas Experience Beyond the Markets?
⭐ Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour
Best for travelers who want the markets plus historical context. A roughly 2-hour guided walk starting at the Christkindlmarkt on Residenzplatz, taking in Salzburg Cathedral (entry included), St. Peter’s Abbey, the Festival district, Getreidegasse and Alter Markt, with a gingerbread tasting and a Salzburg Christmas mug to keep.
⭐ Christmas Cookies & Apple Strudel Cooking Class
Best for travelers who want a hands-on Austrian Christmas experience. A 1½-hour class near the Mönchsberg lift where you make apple strudel and Vanillekipferl cookies from scratch, with goulash soup and drinks included.
🏨 Where to Stay for Salzburg’s Christmas Markets
Salzburg’s Old Town puts you closest to the main Christkindlmarkt and Sternadvent. The area around Mirabellplatz is another convenient base, with easy access to the New Town market and a short walk across the river to the Old Town.
👉 See My Salzburg Hotel Guide →
Or see the top pick in each category side by side: Salzburg Hotels Compared →
🧭 Planning Tips
What to buy: Look for wooden decorations, candles, nativity pieces, ornaments and other seasonal crafts.
Holiday hours: Most markets have shorter hours on December 24–26 and December 31, so check the individual market before planning around those days.
Pair it with Munich: Direct trains connect Salzburg and Munich, making the two cities easy to combine on a longer Christmas-market trip. See my Munich Christmas Markets 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Christmas market in Salzburg?
The central Christkindlmarkt at Domplatz and Residenzplatz is the classic choice for a first visit because of its Old Town location and long history. Hellbrunn offers a palace setting, Mirabellplatz is convenient and compact, while Sternadvent is tucked into an Old Town courtyard and continues after Christmas.
When do Salzburg’s Christmas markets open in 2026?
Most major markets open November 19, 2026, including the central Christkindlmarkt, Hellbrunn, Mirabellplatz and Sternadvent. The Fortress Advent market opens on November 27 and runs on selected days only.
Are Salzburg’s Christmas markets free to enter?
Most central Salzburg Christmas markets are free to enter, including the main Christkindlmarkt, Mirabellplatz and Sternadvent. Hellbrunn charges admission at certain times, so check the current details before visiting.
Do all of Salzburg’s Christmas markets run until Christmas?
No. Dates vary considerably. The main Christkindlmarkt continues through January 1, Mirabellplatz through December 31 and Sternadvent through January 6, while Hellbrunn closes December 24 and the Fortress market ends December 20.
Can you visit Salzburg’s Christmas markets as a day trip from Munich?
Yes. Direct trains connect Munich and Salzburg, making it a manageable day trip or an easy overnight add-on to a Munich Christmas market visit. Check current train times for your travel date.
Plan the Rest of Your Salzburg Trip
Now that your market visits are mapped out, here’s what else to plan.
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