On Christmas Eve, the Christkindl (Christ Child), a golden-haired baby, brings the children their presents. Austrians, generally speaking, don’t believe in Santa Claus. He also decorates the tree. Throughout the holiday season, Austrians attend Christmas Markets with lots of holiday decorations and edible treats. If you live close enough to Salzburg, you will probably attend the Adventsingen. This performance, which attracts a world-wide audience, is full of folklore and music. Austrian families decorate their homes with the Tannenbaum, a Christmas tree, which is a throw-back to their Germanic history. Many also have a crèche, which is a small the Nativity scene. Baby Jesus is NOT placed in the scene until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, Christkindl arrives. Children are summoned by bell ringing and led into the Christmas room, which is now fully decorated and filled with presents. Families open their presents and begin celebrating this holiest of holidays by singing carols, especially Silent Night (Stille Nacht), a uniquely Austrian creation. This carol was first heard at Midnight (Mitternachtsmette) at the Church of St. Nicholas in 1818. Fr. Joseph Mohr penned the lyrics; the melody was composed by Franz Xavier Gruber. At the time, Fr. Mohr was the church’s assistant pastor and Mr. Gruber, the choir director. After Mitternachtsmette, people return home to eat. Fried carp (Gebackner Karpfen) is a traditional main course. Veal and other kinds of meat are also found on many tables. Desserts might include chocolate and apricot cake and Austrian Christmas cookies. Yummy. On Christmas day, Austrians quietly celebrate the birth of Jesus. They usually get together with family and friends. The 26th is St. Stephen’s Day. This is another day off from work and school. It’s also another opportunity for get-togethers. Austrians keep their Christmas trees up until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. This is the day that the Church believes that the Three Wise Men brought the Christkindl his gifts. On this day boys and girls dressed in costumes go from house to house singing songs. They receive gifts and treats for their efforts.

Being mostly a Roman Catholic country, Christmas in Austria is very colorful and celebrated with intense vitality and enthusiasm. From the fall of Advent season, that is four Sundays before the arrival of Christmas, to the Christmas Day the cities are dotted with Christmas market at nearly every nooks and corners. From huge shopping malls to small huts, all kinds of shops offer good Christmas gifts and presents, lip smacking foods, chocolates and desserts, and most importantly hot punch and fine wine specially the “Glühwein”.

One can enjoy the wonderful Christmas ambience in the cities of Austria. The streets are beautifully decorated with festoons and lights. The parks and trees are embellished with colorful papers, seal and crystal ball. Austrians and visitors flocks here to enjoy the perfect Christmas atmosphere. The “Kasperl Tree”, the “Post office in the clouds”, the tree with seals and the “Herzerlbaum” or Hearts tree provide ideal scenery for a souvenir photo in the city of Vienna.

There are some traditional Christmas markets in Austria . Before the Christmas these market streets are swarming with people buying Christmas presents and preparing for the New Year’s Eve. Rathausplatz square before the City Hall is Vienna’s classic Christmas Market. The charming and lively historical quarter of Spittelberg emerges in new colors with authentic Christmas market. Spittelburg is a favorite Christmas shopping area for most of the local people and also the visitors. Both traditional and genuine handicrafts are available in these narrow alleys, granite stone paved niches and courtyards.

If one is willing to get the true flavor of an ancient Christmas village, the Schönbrunn Castle offers a fabulous environment for a delightful Christmas feel filled with the aroma of mulled wine and ginger bread. In Schönbrunn Castle festive concerts are held almost everyday.

The Christmas in Austria is amazingly colorful and filled with fun and enjoyment. The sights, sounds and flavor all harmoniously contribute to the spirit of Christmas spreading the Christmas mood far and wide.