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Event Details
Welcome to the Bad Hofgastein Christmas Market 2026
The Christmas market in Bad Hofgastein takes place across several weekends between November 27 and December 20, 2026. The historic village center of this spa town in the Gastein Valley, framed by the mountains of the Salzburg region, turns into a festively lit winter setting. As a well known thermal spa destination, Bad Hofgastein combines its Advent market with wellness offerings and alpine winter tourism, making it a popular choice for a peaceful pre Christmas getaway.
Highlights and Attractions at the Bad Hofgastein Christmas Market
- Numerous market stalls with regional crafts, decorations and winter treats from the Gastein Valley
- Live music from alphorn players, tower musicians and local brass bands
- Romantic horse drawn sleigh rides through the snowy spa park
- Guided evening torchlight walks
- Smoke cleansing workshops using native herbs
- An Advent workshop where children can craft and bake
- The traditional Anglöckler custom on December 8 in the village center
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Program and Schedule: What to Expect in Bad Hofgastein
The market opens on selected dates from 15:00 to 20:00, mostly Friday through Sunday, with a few extra days around December 7 and 8. For 2026, the announced dates include November 27 to 29, December 4 to 8, December 11 to 13 and December 18 to 20. Alongside music and crafts, torchlight walks and sleigh rides round out the program; detailed daily schedules with exact times for each activity are usually published closer to the event by the organizers.
Tickets and Admission for the Bad Hofgastein Christmas Market 2026
Admission to the market itself is free. Certain add on activities, such as guided torchlight walks, are offered separately for a fee, most recently around 5 euros per person. A combined Advent package including a torchlight walk, sleigh ride, mulled wine and a small gift is also offered, though its exact 2026 price had not yet been published at the time of research.
Visitor Tips: Travel and Accommodation in Bad Hofgastein
- Bad Hofgastein sits in the Gastein Valley in the Salzburg region and is well connected via the Tauern railway line and the A10 motorway
- Warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended, since temperatures in this alpine setting are already wintery during Advent
- Given the thermal spas and the popularity of the pre Christmas season, accommodation should be booked well in advance
- A visit to the Alpentherme thermal spa pairs well with a trip to the Christmas market
Other Christmas Markets in the Gastein Valley
Dorfgastein Christmas Market
In neighboring Dorfgastein, a small, family style Christmas market takes place on December 12, 2026, starting at 12:00, at the Gemeindepark on Schulstraße 1. Regional products such as speck, cheese, meat pastries, farmer's doughnuts, Pofesen and local schnapps are sold at lovingly decorated craft stalls. This market offers a quieter, more village style contrast to the larger event in Bad Hofgastein.
Advent in Bad Gastein
In the nearby spa town of Bad Gastein, known for its waterfall right in the town center, a market is held at the Merangarten on selected Advent weekends, complemented by an ARTvent calendar in which a beautifully designed window somewhere in town is revealed each day. Offerings include pancakes, sausages, speck, cheese and Bischofsbrot, along with horse drawn carriage rides and traditional crafts. Exact 2026 dates had not yet been finalized at the time of research.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
