Better Late Than Never...

As the weeks before Christmas are usually rather stressful at work, I don't have the time to go to Christmas markets. Luckily, the market in front of Schönbrunn Palace is open until December 26... So I braved the strong breeze yesterday and headed to Schönbrunn.

Christmas in Schönbrunn

A visit to the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace is on my to-do-list every year. The palace is a wonderful backdrop.

Merry Christmas! Frohe Weihnachten!

In Austria we celebrate Christmas this very night: Traditionally we set up the Christmas tree and light it for the first time, gather around the tree, sing Christmas carols, unwrap the presents, have Christmas dinner and maybe go to the Midnight Mass. I will meet some friends for a brunch and will spend the evening with my parents. Have a merry Christmas! Frohe Weihnachten!

Second Day of Christmas

In Austria today is St. Stephen's Day, a public holiday. Saint Stephen was the first martyr of Christianity... The photo shows Christmas tree decorations at the Christmas market in Stephansplatz, adjacent to St.Stephen's Cathedral.   

Merry Christmas!

This year the huge Christmas tree in front of the city hall is lit in the French national colours in homage to the victims of the tragic events in Paris on November 13...
In Austria we are celebrating Christmas this very night: The tree is set up and lit for the very first time, the Christkind (Christ child) places the presents beneath the tree, bells announce the arrival of the Christkind into the house - when he arrives the family gathers around the tree and sings Christmas carols. The presents will be unwrapped and a lot of families will eat a baked carp for Christmas dinner.
Dear readers, I wish you all a very merry Christmas!! Frohe Weihnachten!!

4th Sunday of Advent

"Be merry all, be merry all,
With holly dress the festive hall;
Prepare the song, the feast, the ball,
To welcome merry Christmas." - William Robert Spencer

Better Late Than Never...

It's a tradition of mine to visit the Christmas Market in front of Schönbrunn Palace on Christmas day. While all the other Christmas markets close on December 23 or 24, this one is open until December 26. The palace is a very beautiful backdrop as you can see here! At the market you can find traditional handicrafts, Christmas decorations, unusual gifts as well as food and drinks. One of the stands offers bees wax products.

Christmas Day

The birth of Jesus on a hand painted Christmas ornament at the Christmas market in front of the Upper Belvedere.

Another Christmas Market

The Christmas Market in front of the city hall with its 150 sales stands is Vienna's biggest Christmas market. Yesterday I passed by at 4 p.m., and as you can see, it was well attended.

Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace

The Upper Belvedere is an impressive baroque backdrop for another Christmas Market.

Shine a Light

Hand-painted tea light holders at the Christmas Market in front of the Upper Belvedere.

3rd Sunday of Advent

 

"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most." - Ruth Carter Stapleton

At the Empress' Feet

After a visit at the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) you currently can have a walk around the Christmas Village at Maria Theresien Platz. With the Kunsthistorisches Museum on one side, the Natural History Museum on the other side and a statue depicting Empress Maria Theresa in the center of the square this is an impressive location.

Christmas Ornaments

Beautiful hand painted Christmas ornaments at the Christmas market in front of the Upper Belvedere.

Christmas Carols at the Christmas Market

When I was at the Christmas Market in front of the Upper Belvedere, some brass musicians played traditional Austrian Christmas carols. Isn't the palace a gorgeous backdrop?

Rudy, the Red Nosed Reindeer(s)

At the Christmas market in front of the Upper Belvedere children can take a ride on Santa Claus's reindeers or even in his sleigh  - although Santa Claus is no local tradition, Austrian children get their presents usually from the Christkind.

It's That Time of The Year Again...

I have overcome some pretty stressful weeks at work and now that I'm back to "real life" it's already time to prepare for Christmas. Time is really flying! The first Christmas markets have popped up a week ago, as of this weekend all markets will be open. Yesterday afternoon I passed a very new one, the Christmas Market at Stephansplatz, adjacent to St. Stephen's Cathedral. Click here for more information about Vienna's Christmas Markets.