CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRIA

Austria Christmas Tours: Our 15 Picks for December

23 tours  ·  from $49 a head

Good austria christmas tours fill up weeks before Christmas and the best go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Vienna: Christmas & New Year's Concert in St. Peter's Church - What the one-hour program may include
Austria Christmas Tours, Christmas Tours, Festive Dinners & Shows, New Year's Eve Celebrations, Tour Reviews, Vienna Christmas Tours

Vienna: Christmas & New Year’s Concert in St. Peter’s Church

1.Vienna: Christmas & New Year’s Concert in St. Peter’s Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 763 reviews · 1 hour · from $57Our pick

Spend an hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a Baroque landmark in central Vienna. Expect works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert, including Eine kleine Nachtmusik and selections from The Four Seasons. Arrive early for the best seat in your ticket section, and dress warmly.

“The concert was amazing. Very talented musicians. Great view of the stage in amazing surroundings. Seats were a bit uncomfortable.”

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Vienna: Christmas Photoshoot with a Pro Photographer - Starting at Albertina Platz beside the State Opera
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Vienna: Christmas Photoshoot with a Pro Photographer

2.Vienna: Christmas Photoshoot with a Pro Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 241 reviews · 1 hour · from $140

Spend one hour walking central Vienna with an English-speaking photographer who guides your poses and captures portraits at the Albertina, Burggarten, Hofburg, Rathaus, Ankeruhr, and Stephansplatz. It suits solo visitors, couples, and friends who want professional holiday photos without giving up a quick introduction to Vienna’s grandest sights.

“I had the pleasure of having nemanja as our guide for the tour, very friendly and got along with everyone. It was an amazing experience and well worth the money. Each stop we had didn’t feel rushed and gave us enough time to go explore while also giving us history of the area we were in. Would recommended to anyone . Thank you so much !”

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Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson - Your first task: building an Austrian apple strudel
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Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson

3.Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72Top rated

In a small cave-style cooking school near Salzburg’s Old Town, an English-speaking chef guides you through apple strudel and Vanilla Kipferl. You stretch pastry, season apples, bake, eat goulash and dessert, then take extra cookies home. Instructors have included Leonardo, Johan, Nonna, and Ishmail.

“This was such a fun activity to do. It was great to learn how to make the strudel and cookies. Nonna and Ishmail were helpful and made the experience enjoyable. Would highly recommend this activity.”

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Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna - What the Classic Ensemble Vienna plays
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Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna

4.Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 155 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Spend about an hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in baroque St. Peter’s Church, near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Expect a string quartet and familiar classical works by Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Strauss. The setting is intimate and beautiful, but traditional Christmas songs are not guaranteed, and the church can be cold.

“Wonderful experience. We loved it. Music was amazing. Art and talent in a place. Definitely recommended.”

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Salzburg: Christmas/Advent Concert & Dinner - Drinks cost extra, so budget accordingly
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Salzburg: Christmas/Advent Concert & Dinner

5.Salzburg: Christmas/Advent Concert & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 154 reviews · from $93

Ride Salzburg’s funicular to Fortress Hohensalzburg for a festive dinner and classical concert. Expect Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and Vivaldi performed by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble and internationally renowned soloists. Dinner begins at 6 pm, followed by the 8 pm concert on most dates. VIP seating and vegetarian meals are available by request.

“Such a magical experience! The perfect way to spend Christmas Eve on a beautiful date with my husband. The music was incredible with such a stunning location. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal as well.”

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Christmas Horse-Drawn Sleigh/Carriage Ride from Salzburg - Snow is the big variable
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Christmas Horse-Drawn Sleigh/Carriage Ride from Salzburg

6.Christmas Horse-Drawn Sleigh/Carriage Ride from Salzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $151

Leave Salzburg at 9 a.m. for Ramsau am Dachstein, riding a coach beside the Salzach River before a horse-drawn sleigh journey through the Alps. Expect blankets, mountain views, photo stops, and time for lunch at your own cost. Guides have included Walter, Daniel, Leo, and Lisa, and the ride may last about one to two hours depending on conditions.

“Wonderful trip. Amazing weather. Would highly recommend this trip!”

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Vienna: Christmas Markets Tour - Mulled wine, rum, cookies, and market food
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Vienna: Christmas Markets Tour

7.Vienna: Christmas Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 99 reviews · from $98

Walk through four Vienna Christmas markets with a local English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Expect mulled wine with optional extra rum, cookies, food tastings, holiday crafts, street art, and stories about Viennese traditions. The 2 to 3 kilometer route lasts about 2 to 3 hours and visits smaller markets beyond the best-known city-center stops.

“Sophie our guide was absolutely amazing- she was very informative and friendly. The experience was 5* Huge thank you to Sophie Highly recommend this tour”

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Christmas Concerts in Capuchin Church - What the 90-minute timing really means
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Christmas Concerts in Capuchin Church

8.Christmas Concerts in Capuchin Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Settle into Vienna's Capuchin Church for about an hour of classical favorites, Christmas carols, trumpet music, and soprano singing in a warm, candlelit setting. The church sits near the State Opera. A combo ticket adds the Imperial Crypt below, home to Habsburg tombs including Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph, and Sisi.

“The church is small, but very impressive. There are art and inlaid woods that make this a warm and inviting venue. The string quartet played for an hour. We applauded enough that they did one encore song. The selection of music was perfect. I very much liked that this concert started at 6:30 and was done by 7:30. Just the right amount of Viennese music to remind you of the genius of the composers that called Vienna home.”

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Salzburg: Christmas/Advent Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg - Starting at Festungsgasse 4
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Salzburg: Christmas/Advent Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg

9.Salzburg: Christmas/Advent Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 54 reviews · from $49Best value

Ride the funicular up Salzburg’s Festung Hohensalzburg for a 1.5-hour Advent concert featuring Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and traditional Salzburg music. The concert begins at 8 pm, with extra 5 pm performances on December 25 and January 1. Your ticket includes the funicular ride, but not dinner or drinks.

“Easy to get to as the funicular ride was included. Having booked it online 24 hours earlier, my tickets were waiting at the door on arrival. The castle was warm, atmosphere was beautiful with Christmas decorations up.”

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Christmas Market Vienna Tour - Starting at Mariahilfer Kirche
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Christmas Market Vienna Tour

10.Christmas Market Vienna Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 53 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $103

Walk from Mariahilf through Spittelberg and MuseumsQuartier to Maria-Theresien-Platz, sampling Glühwein, rum-spiked punch, cookies, and local treats. Guides such as Rita, Chloe, Andres, and Kamil have led lively tours, though the outdoor route can feel cold and the final stop may be brief. English, 2 to 3 hours, maximum 20 people.

“Great informative tour. Learned many interesting things about Vienna and tasted some really good food!”

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Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg - Choosing Classic, VIP, or Golden VIP
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Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg

11.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

At Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress, you ride the funicular to a Panorama Restaurant dinner, then hear Mozart and seasonal music in historic rooms. Choose Classic, VIP, or Golden VIP dining. The evening begins at 6 pm, lasts about three and a half hours, and includes the return funicular.

“Dinner is delicious and concert is great. Just a reminder that the ticket offer you to visit the castle which will be closed at 5pm. The restaurant opens at 5:30pm which end up half an hour waiting time.”

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Salzburg Christmas Eve Tour to the Silent Night Chapel - Oberndorf’s market and riverside views
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Salzburg Christmas Eve Tour to the Silent Night Chapel

12.Salzburg Christmas Eve Tour to the Silent Night Chapel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 35 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $90

Leave central Salzburg at 3 pm with a guide such as Naomi, Thomas, Kylie, or Hacky, and ride by coach to Oberndorf. Walk through the Christmas market, visit sites linked to Silent Night, then attend the outdoor Christmas Eve ceremony at the tiny chapel. Expect cold weather, crowds, standing, and a moving final carol.

“It was fun to celebrate Christmas where Silent Night was made. Highly recommended. Thanks for the nice experience.”

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Silent Night Oberndorf Christmas Eve Tour from Salzburg - Starting at Mirabellplatz in Salzburg
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Silent Night Oberndorf Christmas Eve Tour from Salzburg

13.Silent Night Oberndorf Christmas Eve Tour from Salzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 32 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Travel from Salzburg to Oberndorf on a four-hour Christmas Eve outing with an English or German-speaking guide. Walk beside the Salzach through snowy Alpine foothills, then join candlelit festivities at the tiny Silent Night Chapel, where the carol was first performed. Dress warmly, since the chapel holds only 12 to 15 people and the service takes place outdoors.

“Great communication, our tour guide Kylie was awesome. She had such a great and fun energy. Not too much to see once the service got going and as predicted it was super cold but such a lovely thing to do on Christmas Eve. Really enjoyed it.”

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Private Christmas Markets Walking Tour Vienna - Karlsplatz begins with church lights and handmade goods
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Private Christmas Markets Walking Tour Vienna

14.Private Christmas Markets Walking Tour Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Start at your hotel, vacation home, or another agreed meeting point for a private 2.5-hour walk through Vienna’s Christmas markets and old town. Guides such as Brigitte, Walter, Daniela, and Sabine add history, food tips, transport advice, and local context while you visit Karlsplatz, Stephansplatz, Freyung, Hofburg, and Rathausplatz.

“My wife and I are quite familiar with Vienna as we've visited the city several times and have grown to love the beautiful Christmas markets. To make our latest visit even more special, we decided to book a private tour of the markets with a local guide. Our goal was to experience the holiday atmosphere like true locals, gain some insights, and learn about the differences between the various markets. Luckily, we were able to book Brigitte as our guide. From the moment we met her in the hotel lobby, we felt like we were meeting an old friend. Brigitte took us to five different markets, and along the way,…”

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Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour - Salzburg Cathedral and the story behind Silent Night
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Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour

15.Salzburg Christmas Market & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $348

Walk Salzburg’s Christmas markets and old town with an English-speaking guide, including Residenzplatz, the cathedral, St. Peter’s Abbey, Getreidegasse, and Alter Markt. You’ll hear local stories, taste gingerbread, try regional foods, and receive a Salzburg Christmas mug. Guide Ursula has led the route, though guide assignment may vary.

“So much more than learning about the Christmas Market. Wonderful opportunity to hear about local culture and history. Our guide was amazing. Highly recommend.”

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Just added: Austria Christmas Tours

★ 5.0Private Christmas Walking Tour of Innsbruck’s Festive MarketsFrom $4812 reviews
★ 5.0Innsbruck: Christmas Tour with a licensed guide3 reviews

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Explore Christmas

Pick a market, a light show or a sleigh.

Markets & tastings

Christmas MarketsMulled WineFood ToursPub CrawlsWalking Tours

Lights & rides

Lights ToursBus & Tuk-TukCarriage RidesPrivate Tours

Lapland & snow

Meeting SantaHuskies & ReindeerIce RinksRovaniemi

Nights out

New Year’s EveFireworks & PartiesDinners & ShowsChristmas Cruises