Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz 2026: Christmas Market at Vienna's Prater

Welcome to the Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz 2026 in Vienna

From November 20, 2026 to January 6, 2027, the Riesenradplatz at Vienna's Prater turns into a lively winter gathering spot right beneath the famous Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel. Now in its 17th edition under the motto "Der Prater rockt", the market pairs live music and mulled wine with the year round fun of the Prater funfair next door, making it one of the few Viennese Christmas markets that stays open right through New Year and into January.

Highlights and Attractions at the Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz

• Stalls serving punch, Glühwein, schnapps and winter snacks right at the foot of the Riesenrad
• 35 free live concerts spanning Austropop, gospel, pop, jazz and soul
• The Winterburg family area with organic snacks, a trampoline zone and boccia lanes
• Admission to the market itself is entirely free, only individual funfair rides are paid separately
• Silvester am Riesenradplatz, an official stop on Vienna's New Year's Eve trail, with a program running into the early morning
• A live broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert on January 1 shown on an LED wall
• Direct access to year round Prater attractions such as the Riesenrad, Madame Tussauds and the ghost train

Program and Schedule: What to Expect at the Riesenradplatz

Live concerts on the Wintermarkt stage regularly take place from Wednesday to Sunday between 7:00pm and 8:30pm, except on December 24, when the concert runs from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, and December 31, when the New Year's Eve program starts at 8:00pm. According to organizers, the full 2026 and 2027 concert lineup will be published from October onward. The Winterburg family area, set in the beer garden of the Luftburg, is open daily from noon to 8:00pm. Exact daily and weekend opening hours for the whole market will be announced on the official website once confirmed.

Tickets and Admission for the Wintermarkt 2026

Entry to the Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz is completely free, as are the live concerts on the market stage. Payment is only required for individual funfair rides or attractions in the surrounding Prater, such as the Riesenrad, the ghost train or Madame Tussauds, whose prices are set separately by each operator.

Visitor Tips: Travel and Other Christmas Markets in Vienna

• Take subway line U1 or U2 to Praterstern, then walk about seven minutes to the Riesenradplatz
• The Prater is also reachable by suburban train, tram or bus 80A, though parking nearby is limited
• Warm clothing and sturdy shoes are worth packing, since the market sits in an open park setting
• A visit to the newly opened Prater Museum right on the square makes a good addition to the trip

Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz

Vienna's most famous and largest Christmas market runs in 2026 from November 13 to December 26, daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm, closing at 6:30pm on December 24. Set against the illuminated town hall and Burgtheater, it features over 150 stalls, a historic carousel and the Eistraum ice rink in the adjoining Rathauspark, which stays open until January 6, 2027. Entry is also free, and the address is Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna.

Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace

Set before the baroque facade of the UNESCO World Heritage site Schönbrunn Palace, this market opens on November 6, 2026 and stays open until January 6, 2027, daily from 10:00am to 9:00pm, with adjusted hours on Christmas Eve and around the New Year. The market focuses on craftwork such as ceramics, wooden toys and textiles, along with a program aimed especially at children.

Christmas Market at Spittelberg

In the narrow, historic lanes of the Biedermeier quarter Spittelberg, namely Stiftgasse, Schrankgasse, Spittelberggasse and Gutenberggasse, this 2026 market runs from November 13 to December 23 with a strong focus on craftwork as well as sustainable, local and organic products. It is open Monday to Friday from 2:00pm to 9:30pm, and from 11:00am on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.