An imperial flair at Schönbrunn Palace Market

Vienna is known worldwide for its imperial history, whose flair you can experience at its best at Schönbrunn Palace Market.  From mid-November, some of the most beautiful squares in Vienna are transformed into magical Christmas and New Year’s markets. Not only are the markets decorated with the festive lights, but many streets in the city as well. After the sturm and chestnuts season, the city steps into the winter with the Christmas market season. In spite of usual coldness, the Viennese occupy the streets with a nicely decorated mug of hot mulled wine or punch in hand. I have already written about some of the Christmas markets in Vienna, but now I will introduce you the Christmas Market with imperial flair.  

Culture and history at Schönbrunn Palace Market

A holiday market in front of the most famous of Vienna’s palaces - Schönbrunn is not called Christmas Market, but Christmas – New Year’s market. Unlike most of the Vienna’s Christmas markets that close at the Christmas Eve, the Schönbrunn Palace Market last until the 6th of January. So, you can enjoy a Christmas atmosphere even after Christmas. The market at the Schönbrunn enchants you with an overall scenery of the location. It is located in the main court in front of the palace, and it offers its visitor the taste of the imperial history of Vienna. At 80 decorated booths, you can find traditional handicrafts, nostalgic toys and Christmas decorations made of glass, wood, ceramics, paper and tin. The gastronomic offer will not disappoint you either. It consists of well-known Austrian delicacies such as Kaiserschmarrn, Bauerngröstl, sweet chestnuts or gingerbread. The highlight of 2018 market is a 3-meter-high advent calendar in the form of a pavilion. The calendar will be a part of the 25th anniversary of the Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace. From the 1st December until Christmas, every day a new Christmas scene will be revealed, with 25 of them in total. In the centre of the market, you can find a magnificent Christmas tree, which is donated every year by another Austrian municipality. In front of the tree, there is an eye-catcher - a handmade manger consisting of 250 figures. The festive atmosphere will be enhanced with a daily jazz music concert.

The mugs for mulled wine and punch serve as the souvenirs and mementos. Therefore, every year, special care is paid to design the appropriate mug. The 25th anniversary delivers two designs of a mug - a classic black-white and golden version. Mostly, the famous designers are responsible for the appearance. This year Vienna’s designer duo “POLKA” delivered a design inspired by the Rococo ceiling ornamentation in the imperial apartments.  

The Schönbrunn Palace Christmas – New Year’s market is easily reached by public transportation. In just a few minutes from the city centre, on the green metro line U4, you can enjoy the imperial flair at the most classical of the markets - Schönbrunn Palace Market.