🎄 Advent 2026
Three Christmas markets, one relaxed walk: for ten cities we linked the nicest markets into a round – with map, walking time, dates and opening hours. And for those who prefer to walk through the forest to their mulled wine: winter hikes to a market.
Not going alone? Every walk can be shared with friends.
Be out on the trail first, then arrive: routes through forest, gorge and avenue that end at a market. The way back is usually by bus, train or boat.
The lit pilgrims’ path leads from St. Gilgen over the Falkenstein with its chapel to St. Wolfgang, with views over the lake. Return by boat.
9.2 km · Start: St. Gilgen · Finish: Wolfgangseer Advent in St. Wolfgang
🗓 from 20 Nov 2026date provisional · 🕰 from 11am, further dates with the organiser
ℹ️ Also in St. Gilgen and Strobl.
From Hinterzarten down into the Ravenna Gorge, past waterfalls to beneath the viaduct where the market is. You need a valid ticket to enter the market.
3.9 km · Start: Hinterzarten · Finish: Weihnachtsmarkt in der Ravennaschlucht
🗓 26 Nov 2026 – 20 Dec 2026 · 🕰 ticket and time slot only
ℹ️ Tickets for 2026 largely sold out; 10 Dec locals only.
From the old town through Nonntal and the old Hellbrunn avenue to Hellbrunn Palace – flat and easy, return by bus.
5.2 km · Start: Salzburg Altstadt · Finish: Hellbrunner Adventzauber
🗓 19 Nov 2026 – 24 Dec 2026 · 🕰 Tue–Fri 1pm–8pm, Sat/Sun/holidays 10am–8pm, 24 Dec 10am–2pm, closed Mon
ℹ️ 25th year.
From Herrsching station through the wooded Kiental up to the Holy Mountain and its monastery – a classic, often slippery in winter.
4.2 km · Start: Herrsching · Finish: Adventsmarkt Andechs
🗓 2026 dates not yet publisheddate provisional · 🕰 Opening hours with the organiser
ℹ️ 2026 dates not yet published, recently on the second Advent weekend.
Paths can be icy in winter – sturdy shoes, a headlamp and a check of path conditions are part of it.
As of 31 Oct 2026 · dates and times as published by cities and organisers, no guarantee – please check before you go.
A walk on foot over three Christmas markets in one city – with map, order, walking time and each market’s dates and opening hours. The planner can guide you from market to market with navigation.
The first big markets open in mid-November (Vienna on 13 Nov, Cologne on 16 Nov), most in Germany between 20 and 27 November. Many close on 23 or 24 December, some in Austria only in January.
Yes – for example the lit pilgrims’ path to the Wolfgangsee Advent, through the Ravenna Gorge in the Black Forest, along the Hellbrunn avenue in Salzburg or through the Kiental up to Andechs. Route, length and dates are below.
We collect the dates and times published by cities and organisers (as of 31 Oct 2026). Where nothing is fixed for 2026 yet, we say so. Short-notice changes are possible – check with the organiser before you go.
