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Innsbruck Christmas Market: Dates, Hours and the Seven Markets
The Innsbruck Christmas market season runs from 13 November to 6 January across seven markets and about 200 stalls, from the Old Town below the Golden Roof to Hungerburg on the mountain. This guide covers the dates and hours of every market, what makes each one different, a one-day route that follows the opening times, getting there and tips on crowds, cash and mugs.
Quick answer Seven markets, 13 November to 6 January
Innsbruck has 7 Christmas markets with about 200 stalls, open from 13 November to 6 January. The Old Town, Marktplatz, St. Nikolaus and Wilten markets close on 23 December, while Maria-Theresien-Strasse and Hungerburg stay open to 6 January. Bergisel opens on six weekends only.
Key takeaways
- See the markets with a guide on the 2 hour Innsbruck Christmas Markets Guided Tour.
- Reach the Hungerburg market with the Hungerburg Funicular Round-Trip Ticket.
- Pair a market evening with the rest of the season in the Innsbruck in winter guide.
- Find more to do between markets among the Innsbruck tours.
When are the Innsbruck Christmas markets open?
The Innsbruck Christmas markets are open from 13 November to 6 January, each market on its own dates and hours.
Seven markets, seven timetables. The table puts them side by side so you can plan around the late openers and the early closers.
All Seven Markets at a Glance
This table lists every market with its season, daily hours and stall count, as published by the Innsbruck Christmas market organiser. Trading at the Old Town stalls ends at 20:00 and at Marktplatz at 20:30, even though the squares stay lit to 21:00.
| Market | Season | Hours | Stalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town, in front of the Golden Roof | 13 November to 23 December | Daily 11:00-21:00 | 65 |
| Marktplatz | 13 November to 23 December | Daily 11:00-21:00 | Over 68 |
| Maria-Theresien-Strasse | 25 November to 6 January | Daily 11:00-21:00 | 30 |
| Hungerburg, on the Nordkette | 20 November to 6 January | Mon-Fri 13:00-19:00, Sat, Sun and holidays 12:00-19:00 | 10 |
| St. Nikolaus, Hans-Brenner-Platz | 20 November to 23 December | Daily 16:00-21:00 | 5 |
| Christmas Magic in Wilten, Wiltener Platzl | 20 November to 23 December | Daily 16:00-20:00 | 10 |
| Kaiser Christmas at Bergisel | Six weekends, 13 November to 20 December | Fri 14:00-20:00, Sat and Sun 11:00-20:00 | Not stated |
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
Four markets close on 23 December: the Old Town, Marktplatz, St. Nikolaus and Wilten. After that only two remain. Maria-Theresien-Strasse opens 11:00-15:00 on 24 December and 11:00-19:00 on 31 December.
Hungerburg opens 12:00-15:00 on 24 December and 12:00-17:00 on 31 December, and from 25 December it closes at 18:00. A visit between Christmas and 6 January therefore means these two markets only.
Sources: Innsbruck Christmas Markets, Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck, Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck.
The Christkindlmarkt fills the Old Town square at night. Photo: Simon Legner ( User:simon04 ), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What makes the Old Town and Marktplatz markets special?
The Old Town market sets 65 stalls around a 20 m real Christmas tree below the Golden Roof, and Marktplatz adds a 17.5 m Swarovski crystal tree and rides for children.
These two are the big ones, a few minutes apart, and both close on 23 December.
The Old Town Market
The Old Town market fills the lanes in front of the Golden Roof with 65 stalls. Its centrepiece is a 20 m real Christmas tree, and a viewing platform looks down over the stalls. Opening is daily 11:00-21:00, with trading until 20:00. Come in the morning to browse in space, and return after dark for the lights.
Look for Kiachln, fried dough rounds dusted with icing sugar or topped with cranberries or sauerkraut. Christstollen and Kletzenbrot are the seasonal bakes to take home.
The Marktplatz Market
Marktplatz is the family market, with over 68 stands, a carousel and a puppet theatre. The Swarovski Christaltree stands 17.5 m high and carries more than 112,400 Swarovski crystals, lit up at night. Hours run daily 11:00-21:00, with trading until 20:30.
The square is a short walk from the Old Town.
Sources: Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck, Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck, Austria Tourism.
How do you get to the Hungerburg Christmas market?
Ride the Hungerburgbahn funicular straight up from the city centre to the Panorama Christmas Market on Hungerburg.
The highest market in the city is also the one people miss.
Up by Funicular
The Panorama Christmas Market on Hungerburg is reached by the Nordkette cable car straight from the city centre. The Hungerburgbahn leaves Congress station near the Hofburg. The market has 10 stalls and a storytelling hour on Saturdays from 16:00 to 17:00. Opening is Monday to Friday 13:00-19:00 and 12:00-19:00 at weekends and on holidays.
The Hungerburg Funicular Round-Trip Ticket covers the funicular up and back, which is all the market needs. More on the lifts is in the Nordkette cable car guide.
Mind the November Closure
All three Nordkette lifts close for maintenance from 2 to 19 November. The winter season starts on 20 November, the same day the Hungerburg market opens. A trip in the first week of the season, from 13 November, finds the city markets open but no funicular to Hungerburg.
Plan the mountain market from 20 November onward.
Sources: Austria Tourism, Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck.
What are the smaller markets in St. Nikolaus, Wilten and Bergisel like?
St.
Most blog guides skip these three. They are the quiet side of the season.
St. Nikolaus and Wilten
The St. Nikolaus market on Hans-Brenner-Platz has five stalls and opens daily 16:00-21:00 from 20 November to 23 December. St Nicholas himself visits on 6 December at 18:00, which is the evening to come with children.
Christmas Magic in Wilten, on the Wiltener Platzl, has 10 stalls and opens daily 16:00-20:00 over the same dates. The official opening is on 23 November at 18:00. Both are evening markets, so leave them for after dark.
Kaiser Christmas at Bergisel
The table lists the six Bergisel weekends and their hours, from the market organiser.
| Weekend | Friday | Saturday and Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 13 to 15 November | 14:00-20:00 | 11:00-20:00 |
| 20 to 22 November | 14:00-20:00 | 11:00-20:00 |
| 27 to 29 November | 14:00-20:00 | 11:00-20:00 |
| 4 to 8 December | 14:00-20:00, plus 7 December 14:00-20:00 | 11:00-20:00, plus 8 December 11:00-20:00 |
| 11 to 13 December | 14:00-20:00 | 11:00-20:00 |
| 18 to 20 December | 14:00-20:00 | 11:00-20:00 |
Sources: Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck, Austria Tourism.
Tours That Fit
Guided ways to taste and see the markets.
from $125.04
Advent season
Innsbruck Christmas Markets Guided Tour
A 2-hour private walk through the Advent markets with a certified guide, a mulled wine and a Kiachl included.
Check Availability
from $129.59
Full meal
Innsbruck Walking Food Tour with Full Meal
Up to 12 people, 3.5 hours and at least 4 food stops through the old centre, adding up to a full Tyrolean meal.
Check AvailabilityCan you see all the Innsbruck Christmas markets in one day?
Yes, you can see the city markets in one day if you start with the daytime markets and finish at the evening-only ones.
The opening times decide the order. This route follows them on a weekday before 23 December.
A Route by Opening Time
The table orders the markets by when they open, using the organiser's published hours. Bergisel fits only on its weekends.
| When | Market | Why then |
|---|---|---|
| From 11:00 | Old Town and Marktplatz | Open first, quieter in the morning |
| From 13:00 | Hungerburg by funicular | Weekday opening, daylight views |
| Afternoon | Maria-Theresien-Strasse | On the walk back from Congress |
| From 16:00 | Christmas Magic in Wilten or St. Nikolaus | Evening-only markets |
| Until 21:00 | Old Town again | The 20 m tree lit up |
With a Guide
The Innsbruck Christmas Markets Guided Tour takes 2 hours at $125.04 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours. It suits a first evening, before you spend the next day on your own route. For a sit-down meal instead of market food, the Innsbruck Walking Food Tour with Full Meal runs 3.5 hours at $129.59 per person.
Sources: Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck, Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck.
What should you know before visiting the markets?
Bring cash, keep your mug or return it for the deposit, and come early in the day or on a weekday to avoid the evening crowds.
A few habits make the evening easier.
Cash, Mugs and Crowds
Most stalls take cash only, so carry small notes. Hot drinks come in a mug with a deposit. Keep it as a souvenir, or hand it back at any drinks stall, not only the one where you bought it.
The markets are busiest in the evenings and at weekends. Browse at 11:00 when the Old Town and Marktplatz open, then come back after dark for the lights. Seating is scarce, so the markets are hard work for visitors with limited mobility.
Traditions to look out for include Krampus runs, St Nicholas visits and nativity scene exhibitions. The St Nicholas visit at St. Nikolaus is on 6 December at 18:00.
Sources: Austria Tourism, Innsbruck Christmas Markets.
How do you get to Innsbruck for the Christmas markets?
Most visitors arrive by train, and Munich Airport is about 200 km away, around two and a half hours by train, bus or shuttle.
The markets sit in the centre, so arrival by rail puts you a walk away.
Arrival Times
This table compares the common ways in, with times from the Tyrol tourist board.
| From | Time to Innsbruck |
|---|---|
| Munich Airport, about 200 km | Around two and a half hours by train, bus or shuttle |
| Zurich, direct train | About 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Vienna, fastest Railjet | 4 hours 17 minutes |
| Frankfurt by train | 5 hours 25 minutes |
| London by train | Approximately 11 hours |
Where to Stay
Stay in or close to the Old Town and every market except Hungerburg and Bergisel is on foot. Maria-Theresien-Strasse puts the late-season market at the door. The where to stay in Innsbruck guide compares the areas.
Coming from Germany, the Munich to Innsbruck guide covers the train, bus and car.
Sources: Tirol Tourism, Tirol Tourism.
Is Innsbruck Christmas market worth visiting?
Yes, the Innsbruck Christmas market is worth visiting for seven markets in walking distance plus one on the mountain.
Few cities put a market on a mountainside one funicular ride from the old centre.
The Case for Innsbruck
About 200 stalls spread across seven markets, each with its own character and hours. The Old Town's 20 m tree and the 17.5 m Swarovski tree on Marktplatz are a few minutes apart. Hungerburg adds the view over the city, and the season runs to 6 January at two of the markets.
The Innsbruck Card, at EUR 79 for 48 hours, covers the ride up the Nordkette, public transport and 22 museums and attractions, which fills the daylight hours between market visits.
Sources: Innsbruck Christmas Markets, ÖBB Austrian Railways.
The market sits right below the Golden Roof. Photo: Arquus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Innsbruck Christmas Market FAQ
Which Christmas market is better, Salzburg or Innsbruck?
Innsbruck suits a short trip that mixes markets with the mountain, since its seven markets include one on Hungerburg. Compare the two cities in the Innsbruck vs Salzburg guide.
Which is the best Christmas market in Austria?
No single answer fits everyone, but Innsbruck stands out for a mountain market and a 20 m tree below the Golden Roof. Book the Innsbruck Christmas Markets Guided Tour for a first look.
Is 2 days in Innsbruck enough?
Yes, 2 days fit all the city markets, Hungerburg and a daytime sight. See how many days in Innsbruck for full plans.
Which Innsbruck Christmas markets are open after Christmas?
Only Maria-Theresien-Strasse and Hungerburg, both to 6 January. Check the dates and hours table.
When does St Nicholas visit the Innsbruck markets?
On 6 December at 18:00 at the St. Nikolaus market on Hans-Brenner-Platz. Details are in the smaller markets section.
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