2012, November 17 to December 24
Viennese Christmas Market: Sun–Thu: 10 a.m.–9.30 p.m.; Fri–Sat: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Dec 24: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Enchanted Rathauspark: daily until 10 p.m.; for detailed opening hours see the map of the “Enchanted Rathauspark”
Viennese “Christkindl”: Thu–Sun: 4–7 p.m. on Vienna Rathausplatz, 5–5.30 p.m. on the “Celestial Stage”;
Sun: 4–5 p.m. at the Post Office in the Clouds
“Christkindl’s” Workshop: daily 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
2012: Celebrities read their Christmas story
For the first time this year there will be a “Celestial Stage with an Angel’s Throne” under the large Christmas tree on Vienna’s Rathausplatz, at the very heart of the Viennese Christmas Market. Children will be invited to take a seat on the “clouds” located on the stage and listen to the Christmas stories. The celebrities will sit on the “Angel’s Throne” while reading their favorite story.
This wonderful event for kids takes place Mondays through Thursdays at 6 p.m. from November 19 to December 20, 2012. Altogether 20 celebrities will take time to read to the children.
The following celebrities will read their favorite Christmas story:
Nov 19: 6 p.m. Uwe Kröger Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer Christina Lugner Robert Steiner | Nov 26: 6 p.m. Claudia Stöckl Dirk Stermann Barbara Karlich Benjamin Karl | Dec 03: 6 p.m. Dagmar Koller Marika Lichter Barbara Stöckl Ulrike Beimpold | Dec 10: 6 p.m. Frank Hoffmann Toni Faber Erich Schleyer Arabella Kiesbauer | Dec 17: 6 p.m. Sylvia Graf Alexander Rüdiger Adi Hirschal Hadschi Bankhofer |
Heavenly Christmas stories narrated by celebrities …
Click on the photo to open a picture gallery with impressions of the reading events.
© Alexander Herburger, Wiener Adventzauber
2012: Opening on November 17
Program of the ceremonial act “Lighting of the Christmas Tree from Lower Austria” on Saturday, November 17, 2012 on Rathausplatz
4.30 pm: Start of performances on Vienna’s Rathausplatz
with Musikverein Ötscherland and Gardemusik Wien
15.30 pm: Start of the ceremonial act on Vienna’s Rathausplatz
Opening address: Governor Erwin Pröll
Lighting of Christmas tree switched on by Erwin Pröll, Governor of Lower Austria
Unveiling of dedication plate: Governor Erwin Pröll and Governor Michael Häupl
Address: Michael Häupl, Governor and Mayor of Vienna
Festive illumination of City Hall, Opening of the Christmas Market, the governors and guests of honor take a tour of the Vienna Christmas Market.
The Viennese “Christkindl” 2012
Amanda
17 years
Education
Secondary school, 1230 Vienna
Hobbies
Swimming, skiing, rugby, baking …
Why does Amanda want to be the Viennese “Christkindl” 2012?
Christmas has always been the most wonderful and most blessed time of the year for me; the time to think of other people and to reflect on the important things of life. Is there anything more fulfilling than passing on these values to others? The excitement of the children, their shiny eyes, a friendly smile of elderly persons, that’s most certainly the best reward I can think of. I will tremendously enjoy being the Viennese “Christkindl” on the large Viennese Christmas Market with its numerous stalls and extraordinary attractions for young and old visitors alike!
2012: International Advent Caroling at Vienna’s City Hall
Choirs from Austria, several European countries and the U.S. will perform
at the International Advent Caroling at Vienna’s City Hall.
Dates: November 30 to December 24, 2012, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. From 3.30 pm to 7 pm, on December 24 until 4.30 pm
Admission is free
The “Kasperl” puppet theater offered by the “Kinderfreunde” association shortens the long wait until Christmas.
Dates: November 30 until December 23, Friday through Sunday, as well as on December 24. From 1.30 pm to 2 pm and from 2.30 pm to 3 pm
Admission is free
The performances of both events take place at Vienna’s City Hall, 1010 Vienna, Rathausplatz 1, Festival Hall (access via Lichtenfeldgasse)
During Advent season various wind ensembles from all over Austria will perform next to the huge Christmas tree on Vienna Rathausplatz
Dates: daily from 8 pm to 8.30 pm.
Exquisite and with lots of new stories:
the Viennese Christkindl Magazine 2012
The new updated "Viennese Christkindl Magazine" is published for the second time in cooperation with the publisher Echomedia. The festively decorated magazine tells stories from the early days of the market accompanied by rare historical photos, it contains recipes for Christmas delicacies, songs, tips for handicrafts and of course a list of the market store holders.
The magazine has a circulation of 50,000 copies and is available at the huts as well as from tobacconists and hotels.
2012: Christmas tree from Lower Austria
One of the main attractions of the Christmas market is the splendid Christmas tree. It is a traditional custom that one of the Austrian provinces presents the Christmas tree as a gift thus demonstrating their close connection to the capital city. This year the tree comes from Lower Austria. The spruce tree from Schwarzenbach/Pielach is 32 m high and about 120 years old.
Starting with the official opening on November 17 at 5.30 p.m. the Christmas tree is lit with 1,000 LED bulbs, which allows to save 90 percent of the energy costs of conventional bulbs.