Things to Do in Austria in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Austria
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas markets are genuinely magical - Vienna alone runs 20+ markets from late November through December 26th, with Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz staying open until New Year's Eve. The smell of Glühwein and roasted chestnuts, wooden stalls selling hand-carved ornaments, and locals actually shopping there (not just tourists) creates an atmosphere you won't find any other time of year.
- Ski season is in full swing with excellent early-season snow - resorts like St. Anton, Ischgl, and Kitzbühel typically have 80-120 cm (31-47 inches) of base by mid-December. Lift lines are shorter than January-February, and you'll pay 15-20% less for accommodation if you book before December 20th.
- Vienna's cultural scene hits peak performance season - the Vienna State Opera, Musikverein, and Theater an der Wien run their most prestigious productions. The New Year's Concert rehearsal on December 30th offers the same program as the famous January 1st concert but tickets are actually obtainable (€30-290 versus €1,000+ for New Year's Day).
- Advent traditions are living culture, not tourist shows - if you're in smaller towns like Hallstatt, Bad Ischl, or Mondsee during the four Advent Sundays, you'll see families attending Adventkranz ceremonies at local churches, bakeries selling fresh Vanillekipferl cookies, and actual community gatherings rather than staged events.
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 7:45am, sunset by 4:15pm. You're looking at roughly 8 hours of usable daylight, which means outdoor sightseeing needs tight planning. That Schönbrunn Palace visit? Better schedule it for 10am-2pm when you've got decent light for photos.
- December 24-26 shuts down most of the country - Austrians take Christmas seriously, meaning nearly all shops, restaurants, and many attractions close. Supermarkets close by noon on December 24th and don't reopen until December 27th. If you're traveling December 23-27, you'll need serious advance planning for meals.
- Weather can genuinely disrupt travel plans - Alpine passes close without warning during snowstorms, and train delays of 30-90 minutes happen regularly when it's snowing heavily. That day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt? Budget an extra hour each way and check ÖBB rail status obsessively.
Best Activities in December
Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding
December offers some of the season's best value skiing with excellent snow coverage but fewer crowds than peak January-February. Resorts above 1,800 m (5,905 ft) like St. Anton, Sölden, and Obergurgl typically have 80-120 cm (31-47 inches) of base by mid-month. The conditions are genuinely good - cold temperatures mean powder stays light rather than turning to slush. You'll find shorter lift lines (10-15 minutes versus 30+ in January) and the après-ski scene is lively but not overwhelming.
Christmas Market Tours
Vienna's Christmas markets aren't tourist traps - they're where locals actually shop for ornaments, meet friends for Glühwein after work, and buy gifts. The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz runs until December 26th with 150+ stalls, while Spittelberg market in the 7th district has more artisan crafts and fewer tour groups. Markets typically open 10am-9pm weekdays, until 10pm weekends. The first two weeks of December offer the best experience - after December 20th, markets get genuinely packed with last-minute shoppers and tourist groups.
Salzburg Old Town and Sound of Music Sites
December transforms Salzburg into something out of a snow globe - the baroque architecture looks particularly striking under snow, and the fortress (Hohensalzburg) offers dramatic winter views across the Alps. The city runs four major Christmas markets including the atmospheric Christkindlmarkt in the Domplatz. The cold weather means fewer crowds at popular sites like Mozart's birthplace and Mirabell Gardens. That said, be prepared for icy cobblestones in the Altstadt - the medieval streets get genuinely slippery after snow.
Thermal Spa Experiences
Austria's thermal spas are where locals escape the December cold, and honestly, soaking in 36°C (97°F) outdoor thermal pools while snow falls around you is pretty magical. Therme Wien (20 minutes from Vienna center), Aqua Dome in Längenfeld, and Felsentherme in Bad Gastein offer extensive facilities with multiple pools, saunas, and wellness areas. The contrast between -3°C (27°F) air temperature and hot thermal water creates steam clouds that look surreal. Most Austrians go midweek afternoons - weekends get busy with families.
Hallstatt and Salzkammergut Lakes
Hallstatt in December is controversial - it's stunningly photogenic under snow, but it can also be mobbed with day-trippers between 10am-3pm. The advantage of December versus summer is you might actually get that iconic lakeside photo without 50 people in frame if you arrive by 8:30am or after 4pm. The salt mine offers interesting tours year-round (indoor, so weather-proof), and the bone house (Beinhaus) at St. Michael's Chapel is genuinely unique. Lake Hallstatt sometimes partially freezes, creating dramatic ice formations.
Vienna Coffee House Culture and Museums
December is perfect for Vienna's indoor cultural attractions when daylight is scarce and temperatures hover around freezing. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Belvedere Palace (home to Klimt's The Kiss), and Albertina offer world-class collections with shorter queues than summer. Traditional coffee houses like Café Central, Café Sperl, and Café Hawelka are where Viennese actually spend December afternoons - order a Melange (€4-5) and a slice of Sachertorte (€6-8), and you can legitimately sit for 2 hours reading or working without anyone rushing you.
December Events & Festivals
Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Markets)
Over 800 Christmas markets operate across Austria throughout December, with Vienna's Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz being the most famous (late November through December 26th, then reopening December 27-January 1st for New Year's). Salzburg runs four major markets including the atmospheric Domplatz market. Innsbruck's market sits in front of the Golden Roof with mountain backdrop. These aren't just tourist attractions - locals genuinely shop here for ornaments, gifts, and meet friends for evening Glühwein. The wooden stalls sell hand-carved nativity figures, blown glass ornaments, sheepskin slippers, and local crafts. Food stalls offer Maroni (roasted chestnuts), Langos (fried dough), Raclette, and various sausages.
New Year's Concert Rehearsal (Generalprobe)
The Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert rehearsal on December 30th offers the exact same program as the world-famous January 1st concert but with actually obtainable tickets. The Musikverein's Golden Hall seats 1,744, and while tickets still sell out, you're competing with classical music fans rather than international lottery winners. The acoustics are identical, the orchestra plays the same Strauss waltzes and polkas, and tickets cost €30-290 versus €1,000+ on the secondary market for New Year's Day. Locals consider this the smarter choice.
Krampuslauf (Krampus Runs)
December 5th is Krampusnacht, when the demonic companion of St. Nicholas roams Austrian towns in terrifying processions. Krampuslauf events happen throughout early December in smaller towns and villages - participants wear elaborate hand-carved wooden masks, fur costumes, and carry chains and bells. It's genuinely intense and not particularly child-friendly despite being folklore. The most authentic runs happen in rural areas like Gastein Valley, Salzburger Land villages, and Tyrol. Urban versions in Vienna or Salzburg city centers are more tourist-oriented and tamer.