Why December is the best time to go to Vienna
The second biggest German-speaking city in the world truly comes alive just before Christmas, with festive cheer, belly-warming food and traditions reflecting the city’s history and celebratory spirit.
In this exclusive extract from Where to Go When, your guide to the most amazing places in the world and the best time of year to visit them, we find out how Vienna is best visited in December, with the party not stopping even after the locals have finally finished waltzing on New Year’s Eve…
Why go?
A visit over Christmas will give you a chance to enjoy the fabulous festive markets and dance the night away at the party in St Stephen’s Square on New Year’s Eve.
Of all the cities in Europe, Vienna has the merriest Advent and Christmas imaginable, one that last for weeks and weeks, starting with the arrival of St Nicholas and his scary sidekick Krampus at the Christkindlmarkt.
Every year for centuries, Vienna has transformed into a winter wonderland with lights twinkling in the frosty nights and open-air Christmas markets popping up all over the city. These colourful markets sell a huge selection of beautifully made handicrafts, toys, decorations and tree ornaments, all carefully displayed.
As you wander through the maze of stalls, the smell of roasted chestnuts, Glühwein (hot spiced wine), Punsch (fruit punch spiked with wine) and Lebkuchen (a moulded gingerbread) drifts through the air, tempting you to try the Christmas fare for which the Viennese markets are famed.
When it comes to tradition, Vienna pulls out all the stops – there are choirs that fill the city with song, special marionette shows and an immense display of Nativity scenes. After a traditional Christmas, the party goes on.
New Year’s Eve in Vienna is one big celebration – a huge market extends along a mile-long strip linking the city’s squares. The heart of the party is in the plaza around St Stephen’s Cathedral, where revellers sip chilled champagne and dance into the night.
And there’s more. New Year’s Eve is merely a prelude to 300 balls that take place during January’s Ball Season. There’s nothing more quintessentially Viennese than a ball, so a waltz around the dance floors is the perfect end to your time in the city.
When else to go?
September - October
This is a great time to visit, as the summer crowds have gone, the air is crisp and clear, and there are plenty of cultural events, such as the Viennale Film Festival and the Long Night of Museums.
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