Events in Austria

This day is marked by two traditional Christmas highlights for this Innsbruck ski resort. Both the Krampuslaufen carnival and the accompanying Nikolauseinzug parade take place in the Dorfplatz square in Igls Town Centre. From 3pm you can try mulled wine and the delicious Krapfen (sweet pastries). Then the Nikolauseinzug begins at 5pm with Father Christmas making his way around the town centre handing out sweets to children. Then at 5:45pm the main event begins. During Krampuslaufen, around 70 Krampusse wearing scary old wooden masks move through the crowd transforming Igls into a large snow carnival. This even is great for children and allows visitors a rare glimpse into the regional culture of Austria.

For over 700 years the square in front of Vienna’s town hall (Rathausplatz) is filled with stalls selling crafts, food and gifts at the Vienna Christmas Market. Along with traditional Viennese Christmas treats such as cotton candy, glazed fruits and baked apples, visitors can enjoy browsing the hundreds of wooden handicraft stalls, where present-buying can be a pleasure rather than a chore.

The people of Reith (near Kitzbuhel) transform their village into a life size advent calendar during the month of December. Each day, a new decorated window in one of the beautiful old building is opened, developing a stunning collection of colors. This event lasts until January 6th when the decorations are traditionally taken down.