Innsbruck’s Old Town Christmas Market takes place in the historic part of the city in front of the Goldenes Dahl (Golden Roof), the most famous symbol of Innsbruck. Surrounded by beautifully preserved medieval facades, it is just as busy and spectacular as other Austrian and German Christmas markets. The city’s most traditional Christmas market features a tall Christmas tree bedecked with lights, dozens of rustic Christmas stalls, amusement rides, live performances, handicrafts, and various winter treats.
At the market, visitors can buy traditional Christmas ornaments, carved nativity figurines, original candles, brightly colored felt hats, wooden and straw toys, vases and glasses, Tyrolean handicraft items, and other souvenirs offered by numerous merchants. Of course, there are traditional Tyrolean dishes and winter treats, too. Food stalls offer raclette (a Swiss cheese dish), hot donuts served with jam or sauerkraut, strudels, gingerbread, caramel apples, and hot beverages such as spicy Glühwein (mulled wine) and punch.
The market offers a rich and diverse entertainment program that features live performances by local artists. One of the market’s main attractions is the concert of a brass band that plays traditional Christmas songs from the Golden Roof. Another signature attraction is the Fairytale and Giant’s Alley (Märchen- und Riesengasse) where visitors can encounter life-size characters from beloved fairy tales and legends, light installations, and daily fairy tale performances.
The Old Town Christmas market usually opens in mid-November and runs until December 23. It is open daily from 11 AM until 9 PM, although merchants close their booths an hour earlier. There are other Christmas markets in Innsbruck as well. They take place in Insbruck’s main shopping street Maria-Theresien-Straße (this one runs until January 6), at the city’s Marketplace (Marktplatz), at Wiltener Patzl, and in Hungerburg.
