The Best Time to visit Christmas Markets in Austria!

At this point I think we all know that Austria has some of the best Christmas markets out of anywhere else in the world.

Twinkly lights, trinkety gifts, smell of Bratwurst and Glühwein and distant sound of German Christmas music are just some of the major reasons tourists flood to Austria to visit the Christmas markets every year. The true purpose of Austrian Christmas markets is not the same as in the UK where priority seems to be placed on pricing food ridiculously high and filling local parks with huge fairground attractions (which will cost you an arm and a leg to ride) but rather to provide somewhere where friends and family can come together, have a drink and a bite to eat whilst enjoying music, theatre performances and supporting small local gift businesses.

So now that I’ve persuaded you to check out these markets for yourself, I bet you’re thinking, “but when should I plan my trip?” Well....

Whilst December is a pretty obvious answer, I’m going to be slightly more specific and say anytime around the 6th of December! Days surrounding the 6th have some of my favourite memories from my time in Austria and here’s why!

Nikolaus!

Children around Austria definitely know why the 6th December is one of the best days of the year, and that’s because it’s the day St Nikolaus pays them a visit leaving chocolates and nuts in their boots! I still remember sitting with my Dad and sister on the stairs in our porch whilst he taught us how to polish our boots ready to place them outside our front door before St Nikolaus’ visit. Many town will mark this day with special parades, events or performances that would not be available any other day of December!

Perchten

Now to the coolest event in December (aside from the main one of course)! To a non-native, Perchten is an incredibly strange event that should not be missed! Now when reading this section you should bear in mind that the last time I experienced it for myself was aged 12 and I was absolutely terrified, but looking back as an adult I absolutely can’t wait to go back to experience it again!

Every year on the night before St Nikolaus visits, the so called “Bärschtel” (at least that’s what the called them in my region, it seems each region calls them something else...) will gather in a town or even village’s streets to scare away any bad spirits to allow for festive cheer. I’m not really too sure how to describe these monsters to you, other than scary human hay bails who dance around the street, banging drums, covering people in black...

From what I remember there are different kinds, some good, some bad, some relations of Krampus (who’ll fill kids on the naughty list’s shoes with coal and extreme cases lock them in cages...). There’s also the ‘Hexentanz’ (=Witches Dance) where the Bärschtel will dance around a large fire in the middle of the street (again making a racket with their drums and horns) throwing different powders into the fire to make it change colour. Now that I’m typing this as an adult, I’m realising how sketchy it sounds...that and the fact that they wear gloves covered in soot that they rub in locals’ faces to turn them black...

Like I said, the last time I experienced this was when I was about 12, which showing my age was probably back in 2011... It’s very possible that with recent security issues, health and safety and child protection, the celebrations look a little different, but I can virtually guarantee they still exist! And there’s only one way to find out...go check it out for yourself!

And that wraps up my reasons why should visit Austria over these few days specifically! There are soooo many reasons as to why you should visit Austria itself, but that’s a whole other post I’m sure I get round to writing very soon!

When you do manage to check out what Perchten’s like these days, I’d love to hear what it was like! Drop me a dm via our Instagram or email me travellingwithstyleblog@gmail.com

As always you can also drop me a message with any other questions, experiences or tips!

Frohe Weihnachten! 🎄✨