Our History

The first Christmas market took place on the Freyung in 1722 – back then under the name “St. Nicholas, Christmas and Nativity Market.” Around 1840 its more than 100 stalls were moved to the square Am Hof to avoid conflicts with the regular market on the Freyung. While the traditional fairs were driven out of the modern city, the Christmas market established itself in the 19th century under the name “Christkindlmarkt.” At the beginning of the 20th century, the market shone with electric lighting for the first time. The years during and after the war brought a series of relocations, among them to Stephansplatz, the Neubaugürtel and the Messepalast (today's MuseumsQuartier). In 1959 the traditional Christmas tree was put up in front of City Hall for the first time, and from 1975 Rathausplatz served for many years as the venue of the Vienna Christmas market. Finally, in the 1980s, smaller markets sprang up in other parts of the city.

The first Altwiener Christkindlmarkt was held in 1987 on Michaelerplatz. Its aim was to bring the Heimatwerk folk-craft shops from all over Austria, with their Advent wares, as well as traditional Advent music and tower brass players from the Austrian provinces, to the city center. After two successful years, the market moved to the Freyung. Today there are around 17 Advent markets in 10 different districts of Vienna. In 2020 Vienna's Christmas markets could not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year the Advent tradition returns to Vienna, and the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt celebrates its 35th anniversary, delighting its guests with its traditional cultural programs and high-quality goods. Since 1990 the “Altwiener Ostermarkt” has been held on the Freyung; it takes place every year in the two weeks before Easter, heralds spring in Vienna and is likewise very popular.

A look at the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt

From minute 18:00 of the following program, you can immerse yourself in the special atmosphere of the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Freyung, the origins of this market steeped in tradition and how it has developed over the centuries. Discover how historic traditions and Christmas customs come alive here and give this unique market its charm.

https://on.orf.at/video/14301772/weihnachten-in-oesterreich

Sources:

• Wien Geschichte Wiki. (n.d.). Christkindlmarkt. https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Christkindlmarkt

• Weihnachtsmarkt – Wien. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 4, 2025, from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weihnachtsmarkt#Wien

• Die Geschichte des Wiener Christkindlmarktes. (2025, September 24). MeinBezirk. https://www.meinbezirk.at/rudolfsheim-fuenfhaus/c-lokales/die-geschichte-des-wiener-christkindlmarktes_a1576267

• ORF. (2025, December 1). Weihnachten in Österreich [Video]. ORF ON. https://on.orf.at/video/14301772/weihnachten-in-oesterreich

The nativity scene stretches 46 m along the market stalls on the Freyung.

The painter and draftsman Josef Ritter von Führich created an unforgettable nativity scene for his family. It was painted in Vienna around 1830 and remained in Vienna until the end of the 19th century. Today the original nativity scene is owned by the family in Tyrol.

This nativity scene has served generations of nativity makers and artists as a model.

The Altwiener Christkindlmarkt commissioned the artist Dorothea Neudorfer to paint this nativity scene based on the historical originals. In cooperation with SB & K Schildermanufaktur Wien, this work of art was installed along the market stalls on the Freyung.

The “Große Weihnachtskrippe” (Great Nativity Scene) is available as paper cut-out sheets from Tyrolia-Verlag and at the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt at stall no. 26.

Josef Führich was a deeply religious man and wanted to give his figures a biblically faithful and deeply heartfelt expression.