Advent program for children
In the run-up to Christmas, a visit with the family to one of Vienna’s many Christmas markets is a long-standing tradition – especially the Viennese Christmas Market on Rathausplatz. Children will be wide-eyed at the sight of the wares and treats offered by the 100 or so market booths. A stone’s throw from the 12-meter-high hand-painted carousel is the Viennese Christmas Market with market stalls that offer products tailored specifically to its youngest visitors. Kids’ punch and hot chocolate will also be served there in smaller cups at child-sized bar tables.
The Children’s Hut at the Viennese Christmas Market is a magical attraction that will set every child’s spirits soaring. There are fun and creative activities every day: children can create works of art from paper and wood, such as Christmas trees, snowmen and wooden pendants, in 150 square meters of supervised space. There are special programs at the weekends, including visits from Father Christmas and the Christ Child! (Mon – Fri: 2 – 6 pm; Sat, Sun and public holidays: 11 am – 6 pm)
The Rathauspark is full of attractions, from the reindeer train and nostalgic Giant Ferris Wheel to the oversized XL Advent calendar and the Herzerlbaum, mistletoe pavilion and nativity scene trail. Children can enjoy their first experience of ice skating free of charge on the 150 m² children’s ice rink (skating aids and skates can be hired at the venue). Grown-up ice skaters can get their fill along romantic fairytale paths across the Rathauspark at the Ice Dream at the Christmas Market (overall skating area: 3.000 m²).
The Viennese Christmas Market is open daily from November 15 to December 26, 2024 (10 am – 10 pm; on December 24 until 6:30 pm).
Other Advent markets with attractions for children
A visit to an Advent market is sure to enchant families – here is a selection of where you can find special attractions for children:
Art Advent on Karlsplatz presents handicrafts and demonstration workshops, and the children can also look forward to an extensive daily offering: the straw landscape, the Draisinen Express, the lost property carousel, barrel organ music from Werkelmann, supervised creative handicrafts in the Star Workshop in the big yurt at the pond area (daily 3.00 pm - 7.00 pm) and storytellers in the Sky Tent (Thu-Sun 3.00 pm). (November 15 – December 23, 2024)
The Prater organizes a winter market on Riesenradplatz. The kids explore the Prater together with the adults – such as on adventure rides on board the winter train, high-flying rides on the chair-o-plane, and at the autodrome. A round on the Giant Ferris Wheel is unforgettable for everyone. Don’t miss the family-friendly Perchtenlauf – a lighthearted event to chase away evil spirits at the end of year! There is music to appeal to everyone: predominantly local artists perform live concerts ranging from gospel to pop every Wednesday to Sunday. The beer garden at Luftburg – Kolarik becomes the “Winterburg” winter market and will be open daily from 12 noon to 8 pm, with a dedicated stop for the winter train. There guests can enjoy organic snacks, free bouncy castles, an outdoor playground and boccia courts. (16.11.2024 - 6.1.2025)
At the Advent market in the Remise Transport Museum, the children’s craft room (upcycling of Wiener Linien products), the vintage streetcar, a curling rink and concerts in the historic setting of Wiener Linien’s Tramway Museum will help pass the time spent waiting for Christmas to come around. Don’t forget to drop in and see the Weihnachtskasperl puppet show (December 7 and 14, 2024) and Father Christmas (December 6, 2024). (11.29. – 12.15.2024, Fri – Sun)
The Christmas-themed Josefinenalm lodge is located right in the middle of the Christmas Village on the University Campus in the Altes AKH. A children’s program with a magician, Punch and Judy show and Christmas workshop will be held there every Saturday and Sunday. (November 15 – December 23, 2024)
At the small but beautiful Advent Market at the Gartenpalais Liechtenstein, there is a historic horse carousel next to the huge playground. (November 15 – December 23, 2024)
The Christmas fair in the Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens features a Christmas market with around 50 huts and children’s crafts in addition to the show in the large greenhouse. (November 14 – December 22, 2024)
Christmas at Schönbrunn Palace
The Christmas Market Schloss Schönbrunn appeals to children and families by offering a wide range of activities: children can use the innovative Glice ice rink (a synthetic ice rink) free of charge, and there is also a dedicated children’s skating rink, curling rinks, a carousel, a Ferris wheel and a craft workshop. (November 8 – January 6, 2024)
Poldi the Palace Ghost has come up with a number of activities in the Schloss Schönbrunn Children’s Museum: the “Christmas Stories from Schönbrunn” themed tour recalls balls and sleigh rides from the history of the imperial family, as well as everyday life at court (November 16 – December 15, 2024: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; daily from December 21, 2024 – January 6, 2025. Reservations recommended). There is also a winter puzzle challenge, a snowman-themed puzzle game and Poldi’s craft workshop (please book a timeslot in advance for crafting). Santa Claus will drop by on December 6, and a hand puppet performance of “Poldi’s Christmas Story” will take place on December 24 in addition to the main Christmas program.
Puppet shows
At the Lilarum, Vienna’s largest children’s theater, Christmas puppet shows will fascinate even the youngest children from the age of three with the story of Christmas in the Winter Forest. Famous theater performers, such as Elisabeth Prohaska and Götz Kauffmann, lend their voices to the various characters. (December 3 – 19, 2024)
The Apfelbaum Fairy Tale Stage presents Die Heilige Nacht (The Holy Night), based on a story by Selma Lagerlöf. (December 14 – 24, 2024)
Shepherd’s carols and children’s opera
In December, the Vienna Boys’ Choir will give their Christmas performance, Gute Hirten 2024, in their concert hall MuTh. (December 7 – 10, 2024)
Opera specially for families: at the Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter), downstairs in the bright, comfortably heated crypt. The Christmas Witch flies to the music of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. In the Italian Christmas story, Befana the witch arrives too late for the birth of baby Jesus. She comes across the Three Wise Men, who are just setting off on their journey home. (December 21-26, 2024)
Advent concerts, theater, musicals
Family highlights at the Stadtsaal are the concert Wenn es Winter wird (When winter comes) with Mai Cocopelli (December 7 & 8, 2024) and an afternoon with Marko Simsa. He and the Kokosbusserl Band invite everyone to rummage deep in the treasure chest of Christmas songs (December 21, 2024).
The popular children’s songwriter Bernhard Fibich will delight audiences with Christmas-themed interactive concerts at the House of Music (December 6, 14, 20, 22 & 23, 2024) and Kabarett Niedermair (November 29, December 18 & 19, 2024).
There is even more going on at the Kabarett Niedermair: Schneck & Co will be performing their program Herr Holle hört Weihnachten (December 22, 2024) and a Christmas concert (December 23, 2024). Winter stories & Christmas carols for audiences aged 5 and over will be performed by the Danube Pirates from Asagan (December 20, 2024). And on St. Nicholas Day (December 6), Brennholz.Rocks will ignite a firework display of rock music at an interactive concert for the whole family.
