Press release –
November 2011

With its comprehensive and varied program, the Vienna Magic of Advent remains the most popular meeting place and the most child-friendly Christmas market in the city.

“The Viennese Christmas Market began over 700 years ago and now, together with the Vienna Magic of Advent, contributes significantly to the local economy. This year too, Europe’s most child-friendly Christmas market, which is also regarded as Vienna’s most traditional, will offer its three million plus visitors a very balanced and varied program”, explain Vienna’s Deputy Mayor Renate Brauner and Brigitte Jank, President of the Vienna Branch of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. The imaginatively decorated Rathauspark, “Christkindl’s” Workshop and all the other offerings will however only have achieved their desired effect if children’s eyes light up and if adults too can marvel in peace at the Vienna Magic of Advent.

From November 12, that time is once again upon us – this is the day when the Viennese Christmas Market on the Rathausplatz opens its gates.

The aroma of roasted chestnuts, ginger bread and punch will once again tantalize the visitors – and many a Christmas shopping will be completed almost automatically while wandering through around 140 festively decorated stalls. Only one thing will not be found here: War games are completely frowned upon by the stall holders.

One of the main traditional attractions is the magnificent Christmas tree. It is customary for the Christmas tree to be a gift from one of the federal states and this custom represents the bond with the Federal Republic’s capital city. This year, the tree comes from the Burgenland, which celebrates its 90th anniversary and has provided a 28 meter high, approximately 80 year old spruce tree from Rudersdorf in the district of Jennersdorf. Around 1,000 LED tree lights will be switched on at the opening ceremony on November 12 at 17:30. These lights achieve an energy cost saving of around 90 percent compared to conventional tree lights. Choral concerts, Tower Brass Band and the Manger Scene – this time in the Rathauspark – are as much a fixture as the colorful and imaginatively decorated trees.

Enchanting light show

With the onset of dusk, the fairytale begins. The famous Magic Castle presents its light and sound show. Every quarter of an hour, the turrets are brightly lit up one by one in harmony and in step with Christmas music. Depending on the rhythm and style of music – classical, rock or dreamy – the music-controlled light show provides sparkling and acoustical emphasis. A truly magical light show.

Where children’s hearts beat faster

The traditional “Christkindl” Express, the Old Vienna Merry-Go-Round and the Pony Ride around the chocolate fountain will again cause children’s hearts to beat faster and have already become firm favorites with the youngest ones. The Vienna Magic of Advent will this year once again more than live up to its reputation as the most child-friendly Christmas market. Right across the park and in the Volkshalle in the City Hall, young visitors may stand in wonder, engage in handicrafts and – above all else – have fun.

In the “Kasperl” Puppet Theater, loud laughter, cheering and being on the edge of your seat are all encouraged, since Kasperl, Pezi & Co definitely need the support of the little visitors in order to survive their hilarious adventures in the ceremonial rooms of the Vienna City Hall. From November 25 until December 24, Fridays to Sundays, it is the turn of “Krawuzikapuzi”. There are two performances: 1st performance from 13:30 to 14:00, 2nd performance from 14:30 to 15:00.

“Christkindl’s” Workshop

Everyone who loves arts and crafts and baking can hardly wait to once again prove their craftsmanship in the “Christkindl’s” Workshop in the Volkshalle of the City Hall. In the past five years, on average about 12,000 children a year, from three years old upwards, have been practicing their baking skills. One thing becomes clear very quickly in this particularly popular bakery: More often than not these “hard-earned” biscuits don’t make it all the way home – the aroma wafting through the room is far too tempting. Here the little bakers make avid use of the cookie cutters – the baking itself however is preferably taken over by the adults. One thing though is clear: Home made biscuits still taste the best.

In “Christkindl’s” Workshop, color, glue, and scissors are also in demand. During the course of the six week event, year on year more than 70,000 little masterpieces are manufactured and wrapped up by the little craftspeople, and given with pride to family or friends. On the opening weekend alone, they eagerly produce approximately 3,000 works of art. To ensure that a broad range of activities is once again being offered to suit the children’s artistic abilities, the following craft options (depending on age) are available this year: Wooden picture frames, glass vases, notice boards or tea light holders. Anyone who has taken a peek into the bustling “workshops” knows that here each single piece is made with much joy and excitement. But the best thing about the “Christkindl’s” Workshop is: Parents may “only” watch.

“Christkindl’s” Workshop is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00. Even on December 24, the children can still create a present at the last minute – until 16:00.

Viennese “Christkindl’s”

pre-Christmas engagementsPerhaps the most charming task of the Vienna Magic of Advent falls to the Viennese “Christkindl”. This year too, a young Viennese lady takes on the role of the Viennese “Christkindl” and delights young and old with Christmas poems and stories. The little ones are especially taken by surprise when the “Christkindl” is out and about, roaming through the Rathauspark. You can often hear excited whispers of: “Mummy, look, the Christkind!” And the “Christkindl” doesn’t just pass by, it also answers questions, receives wish lists or tells stories. From November 12, it is always out and about from Thursday to Sunday from 16:00 to 19:00, when it brings a smile to the faces of young and old. Also, on these days at 17:00, the “Christkindl” always reads a Christmas story under the Christmas tree at the large Manger.

But the “Christkindl” also travels beyond the Vienna Magic of Advent. It visits people who are themselves no longer able to come to the Vienna Magic of Advent. The Viennese “Christkindl” visits old people’s homes, kindergartens and other social establishments, and always brings along small gifts as well as many Christmas stories. A telltale sparkle can often be seen in the eyes of young and old...

Stroll through a winter fairy tale

If you are in search of some pre-Christmas magic, you will find it while strolling through the Rathauspark. As dusk sets in, the Rathauspark with all its decorated trees becomes a popular meeting place for friends, acquaintances and courting couples. The Little Heart Tree has played an important role in many a love story.

Bright lights, playful colors, falling snow flakes, and archways through which you enter into the winter fairy tale of the Magic of Advent – the lovingly created park decorations invite you in for a gentle stroll, to take pictures and to linger. Trees that are decorated with snowmen, ice crystals, angels, golden oak leaves, balloons, Christmas baubles, and much more, transform the Rathauspark into an extraordinary experience. Here you can find a peaceful escape from the stress of the pre-Christmas season.

From the Post Office in the Clouds to Advent Caroling

The Vienna Magic of Advent would not be complete without the Post Office in the Clouds, where special post marks and Christmas stamps may be obtained, the Manger Scene (this time in the Rathauspark), the Tower Brass Band under the large Christmas tree and the Advent Caroling by international choirs in the ceremonial rooms of the Vienna City Hall.

For the first time, it will also be possible in the Post Office in the Clouds to send personalized greetings from the Viennese “Christkindl”. Every Sunday from 16:00 to 17:00, the Viennese “Christkindl” will accept letters in the Post Office in the Clouds and if desired it will sign them in person. Tradition is held in high regard in the Post Office in the Clouds and there is no room for emails here. Everyone who wants to send Christmas greetings to their loved ones comes here and sends their Christmas cards out into the whole world. Stamp collectors too will be in their element. The Advent of Magic commemorative stamp for 2011 can be purchased in the Post Office in the Clouds (nominal value EUR 0.70, retail price EUR 2). Together with the three special post marks, a Christmas touch is added to letters and post cards. The Post Office in the Clouds is open daily from November 12 to December 23 (Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays, Sundays and on December 8 from 11:00 to 19:00). The last Christmas card may even be posted on December 24 between 10:00 and 16:00.

Starting from the first week in advent, the international choral concerts create a wonderful Christmas atmosphere in the ceremonial rooms of the City Hall. Choirs from all over the world present a wide repertoire, from classic and traditional Christmas carols to gospel songs. Admission is free and you may enter and leave at any time. The concerts take place from Friday, November 25, Fridays to Sundays from 15:30 to 19:00, and on December 24 to 16:30.

From November 25 until December 23, the Tower Brass Band will provide festive cheer on a daily basis from 20:00 to 20:30 under the large Christmas tree in front of the magnificent backdrop of the festive illuminations of the City Hall.

Economic factors and advertising value

The Viennese Christmas Market is not only a special attraction for domestic and foreign visitors, it also makes an important contribution to the local economy. Behind the colorful facade, the Vienna Magic of Advent with its Christmas market on the Rathausplatz has reached a level of importance which makes it a significant factor in the local economy. Around 30,000 jobs in the hotel and catering industry are safeguarded by this large pre-Christmas event, and a few hundred workers are charged with the erection, running and dismantling of the Vienna Magic of Advent. Sculptors, academic painters, workshop supervisors, puppeteers, hosts, carpenters, joiners, electricians, designers, painters and decorators, cleaners, security and auxiliary personnel are all on duty – as everything must be well prepared and maintained.  

More than three million people – of which around 500,000 from abroad – visit the Vienna Magic of Advent annually – therefore everything on and around the Rathausplatz must be well prepared. In terms of tourism, this number of visitors has resulted in a huge growth in the number of overnight stays in the past few years. In 2010 the number of overnight stays in the months of November and December compared to the same period in the previous year rose from 1,624,331 to 1,742,492, which equates to an increase of 7.3 percent. (Source: Vienna Tourist Board).

The recipe for success is very simple: The Vienna Magic of Advent builds on tradition and continues to evolve. New attractions are added, while traditional values are cherished, which allows the Vienna Magic of Advent to retain its original atmosphere. In the 26th year of its existence, the Vienna Magic of Advent will once again be a complete success because it already is a pre-Christmas institution. The city of Vienna invests funds of over one million euros in the Vienna Magic of Advent project through the Vienna Business Agency. The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber contributes a further EUR 240,000 for public relations work (leaflets, advertising/specialist press, Internet, cooperation and public relations). These investments don’t just help to make the project a reality, they also guarantee that over three million visitors can experience this pre-Christmas highlight.  

The enhanced image and the publicity value for Vienna are immense both domestically and abroad. During the pre-Christmas season, hardly a day passes when the Vienna Magic of Advent is not at least the subject of one report. Internationally too this exceptionalChristmas market receives a lot of media attention. Whether it be in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Russia, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom, or even Canada, the USA and South America, the “European winter fairy tale” is reported upon extensively on TV, radio and in print.

Website www.christkindlmarkt.at

The website plays its part in raising awareness of the Vienna Magic of Advent. Here a window to Vienna is opened from afar, and there is even a 360° panoramic picture. This year, a web shop has been added to the website to allow interested parties from all over the world to purchase Christmas Market souvenirs. Moreover, the “Christkindl” already has many friends on Facebook – a community of fans, who themselves post entries about the Viennese Christmas Market, Christmas and of course the Viennese “Christkindl” itself.

Further information

The leaflet containing the program and all the attractions of the Vienna Magic of Advent has been available since the middle of September in the language combinations of German/English, French/Italian, Spanish/English, Hungarian/Czech and Russian/Polish. You can obtain the leaflet free of charge in a branch office of Austria Tourism or from the Vienna Tourist Board on telephone number: +43-1-24 555, fax: +43-1-24 555-666.

Vienna, November 7, 2011

Leaflet DEU/ENG

For inquiries please contact:

Andreas Zenker
Press office
Zenker & Co Public Relations
+43 (0)664 2443242
info@zenkerundco.at

Opening times:

The Viennese Christmas Market is open daily from November 12 to December 23, 2011, from 10:00 to 21:30, Fridays and Saturdays until 22:00, and on December 24 until 17:00.

“Christkindl’s” Workshop is open daily from November 12 to December 23, 2011, from 09:00 to 19:00 and on December 24, 2011 until 16:00.

The Magic Castle, Pony Ride, Little Heart train station and “Christkindl” Express, as well as the Nostalgia Merry-Go-Round and Reindeer Train are open daily from November 12 to December 23, 2011, from 10:00 to 20:00, weather permitting.

The Viennese “Christkindl” is out and about on the Viennese Rathausplatz from November 12 to December 23, 2011, every Thursday to Sunday from 16:00, as well as on December 8, 2011, and at 17:00 it reads a Christmas story in front of the Manger.

The Post Office in the Clouds is open from November 12 to December 23, Mondays to Fridays from 15:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays and Sundays and also on December 8 from 11:00 to 19:00 and on December 24 from 10:00 to 16:00.
Special post office dates: Saturday November 12, November 26, December 10. These are the days when commemorative stamps and special post marks are issued.
The Viennese “Christkindl” can be found in the Post Office in the Clouds every Sunday from 16:00 to 17:00.

International Advent Caroling takes place from Friday, November 25, Fridays to Sundays from 15:30 to 19:00, and on December 24 until 16:30 in the ceremonial rooms of the City Hall. From the first week-end of Advent onwards, the Tower Brass Band provides Christmas cheer on a daily basis at 20:00 under the large Christmas tree.

In the “Kasperl” Puppet Theater in the ceremonial rooms of the City Hall, Kasperl & Co are, from November 25 to December 24, Fridays to Sundays, giving two performances (1st performance: 13:30 - 14:00, 2nd performance: 14:30 – 15:00).