Holidays in Vienna

2013_December_Vienna1I always love Vienna, a city I lived in for a short time many years ago. But I especially love Vienna during the holiday season.

It’s cold outside, and often white from a  dusting of snow. The city is lit up beautifully with thousands of lights, shining off the cobblestones and the storefront windows all decorated for the holidays.

Stands set up selling Punsch and Gluehwein (mulled wine). In fact, the real danger is making too many stops just to ‘warm up your hands’ with the piping hot spiced wine.

Vienna ChristkindlmarktThe classic Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) is set up each December just before Rathaus, Town Hall.

There are stands selling food and gifts, plus lots of activities for children – pony rides, arts classes, cooking classes, all set before the the dramatic backdrop of Vienna illuminated Town Hall building.

And the whole city puts on its best during the holiday season.  The Town Hall Christmas market is the most well-known, but there are many others scattered throughout the city.I love the elegant lights throughout Vienna’s old town – especially the beautiful chandeliers of the central Am Graben- and the impressive window displays.

2013_December_Vienna2For me, it’s a great place to wander around and enjoy the festive displays.

If you’re looking for activities in Vienna on your visit to enjoy the Christmas decorations, be sure to see my earlier posts on taking in a  performance at the Spanish riding school, stopping in at the art deco Palmenhaus, admiring Vienna’s plague art, eating Wienerschnitzl at Figlmueller’s, or enjoying Vienna’s fabulous cafe culture.

Enjoy spending the holiday period in beautiful Vienna.

Vienna, AustriaVienna, Austria

4 Comments

  1. chillcat on December 17, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Kimberly it looks lovely. I’ll be going next July for a short story conference and will be asking you for some tips! Buon Natale!

    • kimberlysullivan on December 17, 2013 at 6:37 pm

      That’s right, Catherine! I remember you’ll be reading at the Vienna short story festival this summer. And I’m jealous. : ) You’ll have a fantastic time. And yes, I’ll definitely have tons of suggestions for you when you’re not rubbing shoulders with other short story authors.

  2. […] the Palmenhaus ,  Vienna’s plague art, The Spanish Riding School, and visiting Vienna during Christmas. I’ll never grow bored of this elegant […]

  3. […] a good mood. And yes, I’m a sucker for Gluehwein, so that might be part of its charm. : ) See my earlier post about what to do for the holidays in Vienna […]

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