Kids, we’ve got something for you!
Christmas is a very special time of year for the littlest ones. And the Vienna Christmas Market places a great amount of importance on this fact – with numerous offerings aimed specifically at children and families. A huge multi-storey carousel – you couldn’t make their eyes shine any brighter. A ride on a carousel horse, a trip on the entertaining reindeer train or a go on the Ferris wheel: the Vienna Christmas Market makes the wait until the big day go just that bit faster with exciting attractions and fun for the whole family.
Children’s programme
Whether at the market stalls or in the festive park at Rathausplatz: there’s always something going on at the Vienna Christmas Market. There’s truly nowhere more charming to spend your time in the run-up to Christmas Eve. A real highlight is the children’s programme that’s held in the big children’s hut. Here, an interactive programme is put on every day for children aged 3 to 12 to get involved in. And smaller children can romp around in the play corner. In addition, there’s a programme of highlights every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday at 15:00, where activities such as singing songs together, Punch and Judy or magic shows create a fantastic atmosphere and leave children wide-eyed with wonder and delight.
In the children’s hut, four areas invite children to have fun, learn and get active:
Creative corner: crafting gift boxes, creating their own Advent calender, making candles or dream catchers, painting Christmas cards and much more.
Reading and book corner: reading Christmas stories, audio books, picture books and much more.
Play corner: interesting card and board games, testing new games, building a winter Lego landscape, Advent calendar memory, building blocks for little kids and much more.
Highlights on weekends and public holidays: Advent and Christmas quiz, making reindeer balloons, kids’ make-up, singing Advent carols and much more.
Zahntheater (“Tooth Theatre”)
As part of the Viennese health promotion campaign “TippTopp Gesund im Mund” (“Tip-top healthy mouth”), a play will convey the importance of oral care in a playful way on six Mondays. “Tina and Nico are teenagers and are in the same class at a secondary school. Together, the two think about what they want to be when they grow up. In the play, we accompany Tina and Nico as they seek career advice, and also as they pay a visit to the dentist. The young people’s teeth also have their say. They are not happy at all with their situation and fight “tooth” and nail against Nico and Tina’s plans.”
Visiting the children’s hut is free of charge at any time without having to register, as long as there are spaces available in the hut – first come, first served.
The children will be watched over as they play. However, please note that this does not constitute childcare and children must be supervised by their parents or guardians throughout their visit: parents are responsible for their children.
Everybody to the ice rink!
Those who have big ice skating ambitions start practising early on. The 110 square metre children’s ice skating area in the Rathauspark at the Vienna Christmas Market is the ideal opportunity to do so. Accompanied by adults, the little ones can find support from fun mascots skating alongside them until they find their feet and can glide along the smooth ice by themselves. Use of the children’s ice skating area is free of charge!
Borrowing over buying: ice skate rental
The right equipment is always on hand: for a deposit of 50 euros (or voluntary submission of a valid photo ID instead of the deposit), children’s ice skates from size 23 and free adjustable double blades/skates from size 21 to size 25 are available for hire. Free children’s helmets are also available against a cash or ID deposit. Please note that rentals are only possible with a valid ticket. You can purchase these in the online shop, at the ticket counters or via the ticket machines.
Something to play with and something to snack on
The children’s Christmas Market itself also awaits with plenty of surprises – and, of course, inspiration for presents that will delight any children. The market stall offers many treats such as biscuits, mug cakes and “jaffles” – toasties with different fillings. And those who want to warm up with a mug of children’s punch or hot chocolate in the meantime will find cosy kid-sized standing tables here too.
Rudolf on rails
The reindeer live high up in the chilly north, where there’s snow almost all year round. Each year, Father Christmas keeps his eyes peeled for the strongest and fastest animals to guide his heavy sleigh through the air. Some of the others can be found on the rails at this year’s Vienna Christmas Market. The cheerful reindeer train weaves its way through the Rathauspark and guarantees huge fun!
Prices
1 ride costs 3 euros
4 rides cost 10 euros
Group discounts for Viennese nurseries and school classes: on workdays, a ride costs just 2 euros per child.
Let’s all ride the carousel
A 12 metre-tall, multi-storey carousel is the latest highlight to grace the Christmas Market. The two-tier merry-go-round in the children’s area, visible from afar, captivates those who ride it with an enchanting world of nostalgia, with images of Vienna back in the day and original barrel organ music. It invites little ones to take a fun trip on a horse or in a coach. And, of course, adults are welcome to participate in this journey back in time too. Once darkness falls, the festive lights of this historic playground set-up are reflected in the gleaming children’s eyes. Hop on board, hold on tight and off we go!
Multi-storey carousel opening times:
10 November to 26 December 2023: 10:00-22:00
Exception: 24 December 2023: 10:00-18:30
Prices:
Children: 5 euros / Adults: 7 euros / Combined ticket: 1 child + 1 adult 11 euros / Groups of 10 children (born in or after 2009) 4 euros / 10 adults 6 euros
View the Christmas world from above
The Prater isn’t the only place you’ll find a giant Ferris wheel. That’s because the Vienna Christmas Market also boasts an attraction that provides glorious views of City Hall, the park and the Christmas market. The romantically lit nostalgic Ferris wheel is an unforgettable delight for all ages. Even Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Sisi are watching.
Price: 4 euros per ride / 4 rides for 14 euros
Group discounts for Viennese nurseries and school classes: on workdays, a ride costs just 2 euros.
