Innsbruck keeps Christmas with tower brass from the Golden Roof, Krampus runs in early December and the Christ Child procession on Maria-Theresien-Strasse on 20 December 2026. On 24 December shops may open only until 14:00, and 25 and 26 December are public holidays, but the Maria-Theresien-Strasse and Hungerburg markets, the Alpine Zoo and the ski areas stay open through Christmas. For a Christmas stay, book a hotel in the old town or on Maria-Theresien-Strasse with its own restaurant.
Every day until 23 December the tower brass players play Christmas music from the balcony of the Golden Roof in the late afternoon (the organiser gives 17:00 and 17:30 in different places, so be there for 17:00). Fairy-tale performances run daily at 16:30 and 17:30 at the theatre wagon in Kiebachgasse, and choirs sing at the wagon in Seilergasse on most December evenings.
The big date is the Christ Child procession (Christkindleinzug) on Sunday 20 December 2026 at 17:00: more than 400 children dressed as shepherds and angels, with sheep, walk with the Christ Child's carriage from Maria-Theresien-Strasse over the Marktgraben to the square in front of the Landestheater. It is free.
On 23 December the Peace Light from Bethlehem is handed out in front of the Spitalskirche from 14:00 to 16:00, and the Gundolf family plays Advent concerts of brass and Tyrolean music at the Messe Innsbruck Alpensaal on 12 and 23 December, 16:30 to 18:00.
Innsbruck Christmas markets 2026: dates, hours and where to stay
GetYourGuide · 5.0/5 from 3 reviews
A private Advent walk through Innsbruck's Christmas markets with a licensed guide who knows the stories behind them: the old town market by the Golden Roof, nativity scenes, the Swarovski crystal tree and the lit avenue on Maria-Theresien-Strasse.
Departs from Your hotel lobby in central Innsbruck, the car and coach park or the station · About 1.5 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.9/5 from 69 reviews
The easiest and cheapest way to get your bearings on your first day: one hour on foot through the old town with a state-certified Austria Guide, for less than the price of lunch.
Departs from Innsbruck Information, Burggraben 3 (Stadtführung meeting point sign) · About 1 hour
Our take on each: Innsbruck Christmas market tour with a licensed guide · Innsbruck walking tour of the old town (Welcome Tour).
In early December the Krampus, the horned companion of St Nicholas, and the masked Perchten run through Innsbruck and the villages around it, with bells, torches and heavy carved masks. The Christmas market organiser lists these runs for 2026: Igls village centre on Sunday 29 November (St Nicholas at 17:00, Krampus from 17:45); the old town on Thursday 3 December at 18:30 with Krampus groups from East Tyrol; the Hungerburg market on Sunday 6 December from 17:00; and Perchten at the Maria-Theresien-Strasse market on Monday 7 December at 18:00.
St Nicholas himself walks from the St. Nikolaus parish church into the old town with angels and musicians on Friday 4 December at 17:00, and hands out bags of treats to children on the Marktplatz on Saturday 5 December at 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00.
Further out, Tirol Werbung lists one of Tyrol's largest Krampus events in Seefeld on 4 December, with about 30 groups, and the Perchten run and witches' dance around a fire in Rattenberg on 6 December 2026.
Where to stay for this
Igls · 4 stars · 73 rooms
In Igls itself, a short walk from the village centre where the Krampus run starts.
A four-star village hotel in Igls with indoor pool, sauna and mountain views from every room; for couples, families and skiers.
From £123 a night
Altstadt (old town), Innsbruck old town · 4 stars · 43 rooms
In the old town lanes where the 3 December Krampus groups run.
A historic family-run inn in the car-free old town, a minute from the Golden Roof; for couples and first-time visitors.
From £139 a night
In Hall in Tirol, a short train ride east of Innsbruck, the house fronts on the medieval Oberer Stadtplatz become a giant Advent calendar, with each day's date projected onto a wall. Brass groups and choirs play every day from 18:00, and children get a petting zoo, ice skating and storytellers.
The Advent market runs 20 November to 24 December 2026: Monday to Friday 15:00 to 20:00, Saturday 11:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 13:00 to 20:00, with food stalls open until 21:00. On 24 December it opens 10:00 to 13:00, one of the few markets in the area open on Christmas Eve.
Where to stay for this
Hall in Tirol, old town, Hall in Tirol · Hotel · 19 rooms
On Hall's old town square, so the Advent calendar is outside the window.
A historic inn on Hall's old town square with 19 individual rooms and a Tyrolean cellar restaurant; for couples and culture lovers.
Hall in Tirol (Heiligkreuz), Hall in Tirol · 4 stars
Family-run four-star on the edge of Hall, with free parking.
A warm, family-run four-star on the edge of Hall in Tirol with mountain views and free parking; for drivers, cyclists and families.
From £140 a night
Shops: by Austrian law, shops may open on 24 December (a Thursday in 2026) only from 06:00 to 14:00; sweet shops and florists until 18:00, and Christmas trees are sold until 20:00. 25 December (Christmas Day) and 26 December (St Stephen's Day) are public holidays, so ordinary shops are closed.
Markets: the Old Town, Marktplatz, Wilten and St. Nikolaus markets close on 23 December. On 24 December the Maria-Theresien-Strasse market opens 11:00 to 15:00 and the Hungerburg market 12:00 to 15:00. Both open again from 25 December and stay until 6 January 2027; the Hungerburg keeps holiday hours of 12:00 to 18:00.
Sights and outdoors: the Alpine Zoo opens every day of the year, including holidays. The Nordkette cable cars and the ski areas run through Christmas. The Golden Roof Museum is closed 24 to 26 December, and Audioversum opens 10:00 to 14:00 on 24 December and closes 25 to 28 December. The LUMAGICA light trail in the Hofgarten is closed on 24 December and open again from 25 December, with a 2 euro holiday surcharge. The outdoor rink at Olympiaworld opens 12:00 to 16:00 on 24 December and 12:00 to 22:00 from 25 December.
The Hofburg and Swarovski Crystal Worlds publish no Christmas closures on their own sites, but check before you go on the 24th and 25th.
GetYourGuide · 4.3/5 from 70 reviews
Entry only to the Alpine Zoo, for visitors who will walk, take bus W or already have transport sorted.
Departs from Alpine Zoo, Innsbruck, at 750 m below the Nordkette · Valid for one day; allow about 2 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.8/5 from 1194 reviews
The one mountain trip almost every visitor should make: from the old town to 2,256 m in about 20 minutes, with the whole of Innsbruck below you and the Karwendel behind.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station, next to Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; the ride up takes about 20 minutes, allow half a day
Our take on each: Alpine Zoo Innsbruck tickets (Alpenzoo) · Nordkette cable car tickets (Top of Innsbruck).
In Austria Christmas is celebrated on the evening of 24 December, and many families go to midnight mass (Christmette). The Cathedral of St. James (Dom zu St. Jakob), a short walk from the Golden Roof, holds mass at 10:00 and 11:30 on Sundays and public holidays. The parish publishes its Christmas service times for 2026 in December; ask the cathedral parish office on +43 512 583902.
For quieter music in Advent, the Stecher-Advent on Tuesday 8 December at 18:00 brings readings and music by candlelight to the Spitalskirche on Maria-Theresien-Strasse.
Where to stay for this
City centre, by the Hofgarten, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars
Stylish family house by the Hofgarten, a few minutes' walk from the cathedral.
A 15th-century family house turned stylish city hotel, with themed signature rooms, a rooftop terrace and sauna; great for couples.
From £132 a night
Altstadt (old town), Innsbruck old town · Hotel
Small old town inn with Tyrolean cooking, close to the cathedral.
A small family-run inn in the old town, with Tyrolean cooking downstairs and breakfast on the terrace; best for couples.
From £148 a night
Christmas Eve is the main family evening in Austria, so book a restaurant table for the 24th as early as you can and confirm that it is open that evening. A hotel with its own restaurant is the safest choice, since you can eat in without crossing town.
On the days before Christmas, a guided food walk is a good way to taste Tyrolean specialities, and the Tyrolean evening with the Gundolf family pairs a dinner with folk music and dancing (check the show dates around Christmas when you book).
GetYourGuide · 5.0/5 from 44 reviews
A private food walk where the stories matter as much as the tastings: three and a half hours with a licensed guide, Tyrolean specialities along the way and a sweet finish in a traditional café.
Departs from Pick-up from your hotel in central Innsbruck · About 3.5 hours
GetYourGuide · 5.0/5 from 6 reviews
A proper Tyrolean meal spread across four or more stops: cheese and cured meats, Käsespätzle, Gröstl, goulash or dumplings and apple strudel, with a glass of wine and a local beer.
Departs from Liberation Monument, Eduard-Wallnöfer-Platz (Landhausplatz), Innsbruck · About 3 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 1163 reviews
The classic night out in Innsbruck for anyone who wants to hear yodelling, see the slap dance and listen to instruments you will not meet anywhere else, all in one evening.
Departs from Alpensaal an der Messe, Ingenieur-Etzel-Strasse, Innsbruck (first floor); tram 1 or S-Bahn to Messe · Show about 1.5 hours (20:30 to about 22:00); 3 hours with dinner
Our take on each: Innsbruck private food tour with a licensed guide · Innsbruck food tour: traditional Tyrolean dishes · Tyrolean evening in Innsbruck with the Gundolf family.
Where to stay for this
City centre, by the Hauptbahnhof, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 88 rooms
Family-run four-star by the station with a proper Tyrolean restaurant.
A family-run four-star two minutes from the Hauptbahnhof, with a proper Tyrolean restaurant; for skiers, families and rail travellers.
From £132 a night
City centre, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 84 rooms
Four-star above a classic Viennese coffee house, for breakfast and cake.
Four-star city hotel above a classic Viennese coffee house, with a fourth-floor spa; suits couples and business travellers.
Altstadt (old town), Innsbruck old town · 4 stars · 48 rooms
15th-century house a minute from the Golden Roof, among the old town restaurants.
A characterful design hotel in a 15th-century old town house, a minute from the Golden Roof; ideal for couples and city breaks.
From £147 a night
Arrive by 22 or 23 December to catch all the old town markets and the tower brass before they close. Spend Christmas Eve morning at the Maria-Theresien-Strasse market (until 15:00) or in Hall (until 13:00), then go to an evening service.
On Christmas Day, take the Nordkette up to the snow above the city, ride the Hungerburgbahn to the panorama market, or visit the Alpine Zoo. Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens shows Tord Boontje's crystal fairy-tale figures in its lit winter park from 11 November 2026 to 6 February 2027. In the evening, walk the LUMAGICA light trail in the Hofgarten or skate at ICE MAGIC on Landhausplatz.
Skiers can be on the slopes every day: the Nordkette runs from 20 November and the Patscherkofel from 12 December 2026, and the SKI plus CITY Pass covers 12 ski areas plus city sights.
Skiing in Innsbruck 2026/27: ski areas, SKI plus CITY Pass prices and where to stay
GetYourGuide · 4.8/5 from 1194 reviews
The one mountain trip almost every visitor should make: from the old town to 2,256 m in about 20 minutes, with the whole of Innsbruck below you and the Karwendel behind.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station, next to Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; the ride up takes about 20 minutes, allow half a day
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 817 reviews
The easy way to see Swarovski Crystal Worlds without a car: entry and a return seat on the shuttle bus from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof on one ticket.
Departs from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz · Valid for one day; allow half a day including the bus
GetYourGuide · 4.4/5 from 729 reviews
The classic family half day in Innsbruck: ride the Zaha Hadid funicular up from the old town, spend a couple of hours with wolves, bears and lynx at the Alpine Zoo, and carry on to the Hungerburg viewpoint before riding back.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station beside Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; allow 2.5 to 3 hours
Our take on each: Nordkette cable car tickets (Top of Innsbruck) · Swarovski Crystal Worlds tickets with shuttle from Innsbruck · Alpine Zoo and Hungerburg funicular combi ticket.
For Christmas, pick a hotel where the evenings are easy: close to the markets that stay open after the 23rd, with a restaurant or spa for the holidays when much of the city is quiet. The old town and Maria-Theresien-Strasse put you a few minutes from the open markets, the cathedral and the Hofgarten.
If you want snow and a pool, look at the villages on the sunny plateau above the city, where some hotels run free ski buses to the Patscherkofel.
Hotels near the Innsbruck Christmas markets
Where to stay for this
Old town, on the Inn, Innsbruck old town · 4 stars
Spa hotel by the Inn at the old town edge, with a pool open around the clock.
Four-star spa hotel by the Inn at the old town edge, with a pool open around the clock; for couples and skiers.
From £231 a night
City centre, Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars
On Maria-Theresien-Strasse, where the market stays open until 6 January.
A modern, well-run hotel on Maria-Theresien-Strasse with saunas, a ski room and family rooms; a practical base for families and skiers.
From £143 a night
Mariahilf, across the Inn from the old town, Innsbruck old town · 4 stars · 29 rooms
Family-run four-star in the painted houses facing the old town across the Inn.
A small, family-run four-star in the painted riverside houses facing the old town; a warm choice for couples and families.
From £137 a night
Lans, above Innsbruck, Mutters, Lans and Axams · 4 stars
Spa hotel in Lans with a heated rooftop pool and a free ski bus.
A family-run spa hotel in Lans with a heated rooftop infinity pool and panorama sauna; lovely for couples and families.
From £155 a night
Yes, in the morning. Austrian law lets shops open on 24 December from 06:00 to 14:00, with sweet shops and florists until 18:00. On 25 and 26 December, both public holidays, ordinary shops are closed.
The Maria-Theresien-Strasse market and the Hungerburg panorama market stay open after Christmas until 6 January 2027. The Old Town, Marktplatz, Wilten and St. Nikolaus markets close on 23 December.
Krampus groups from East Tyrol run in the old town on Thursday 3 December 2026 at 18:30. There are also runs in Igls on 29 November from 17:45, at the Hungerburg market on 6 December from 17:00 and Perchten on Maria-Theresien-Strasse on 7 December at 18:00.
The Christ Child procession is on Sunday 20 December 2026 at 17:00. More than 400 children dressed as shepherds and angels walk from Maria-Theresien-Strasse to the Landestheater, and watching is free.
Yes. The Nordkette runs from 20 November 2026, the Patscherkofel from 12 December and the Stubai Glacier has been open since October, so all three are running over Christmas. The SKI plus CITY Pass covers 12 ski areas and costs from 162 euros for two adult days in 2026/27.
No. The Golden Roof Museum is closed from 24 to 26 December 2026 and from 31 December to 1 January 2027. You can still see the Golden Roof itself from the street at any time.
Sources: christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, christkindlmarkt.cc, tirol.at, tirol.at. Checked October 2026.
