Children love the popular Advent programme at the Schönbrunn Christmas and New Year’s Market. There is something there for everyone.
The Children's Hut in the centre of the market offers fun and games for all ages. The Interactive Game invites children of reading age to solve tricky puzzles together with shepherds on stilts. In the Christmas Workshop, four-year-olds and upwards can model sweet marzipan snowmen or polar bears under expert supervision.
Poldi, the palace ghost in the Schönbrunn Palace Children's Museum, has once again thought up some fun family activities for the Christmas and holiday season.
All of these programme activities help to shorten the wait for Christmas Eve. Come along with your family. We look forward to welcoming you.
Answers to your questions
FAQs about the programme of the Christmas Market
Is there a programme?
Yes, there are children’s and music programmes. The precise dates and further information on our programme can be found in our event calendar.
Is there a children’s programme?
There’s lots for children to discover at the Christmas Market. There’s the Christmas Workshop, and Interactive Game, the Children’s Hut and a visit by St Nicholas You can find further information about the children’s programme here.
From when can I register my group for the Christmas Workshop?
Registration for the Christmas workshop is only required for groups of 5 children or more. Information regarding registration for the Christmas workshop will follow.
Have you already received our children's programme newsletter? If not, please send us your contact details to weihnachtsmarkt@mts-wien.at. We will then add you to the mailing list and you will receive information and an invitation to register for our Christmas Workshop.
As soon as the dates are published, you can register your group via the programme calendar .
How can I register my group for the Christmas Workshop?
Registration for the Christmas Workshop is only required for groups of 5 children or more. You can register your group via the programme calendar . Select your preferred date and time and register your groups.
In the events you can also see how many places are still available for the date and by signing up for the Newsletter, you can also ensure that you receive an invitation to register for the next Christmas Workshop. Further information on the children's programme at the Christmas Market can be found here.
Are there toilets, and where are they?
Yes. Toilet facilities and barrier-free toilets can be found in the Visitor Centre (directly at the main gate on the left), as well as in the main gate and in the entrance hall to the Palace. There are also portable toilet cabins after the arcade in the direction of Meidlinger Tor. You can find a map here.
Are bicycles or scooters allowed at the Christmas Market?
No. You cannot bring your bicycle or scooter into the Christmas Market as they are prohibited throughout Schönbrunn.
You can park your bicycle or scooter next to the main gate. You can find a map here!
What is there to eat?
There are several food huts, where you can enjoy meat, and vegetarian and vegan specialities such as baked potatoes, Leberkäse, Spätzle, Knödel and Gröstl along with tempting sweet dishes such as doughnuts, Kaiserschmarrn and crêpes.
All food exhibitors can be found here. You can filter the "Punch & culinary specialities" category.
Christmas Workshop
For children with a sweet tooth
Marzipan, gingerbread, sugar pearls, icing and colourful sprinkles – your child will create sweet delicacies in the heated Christmas Workshop at Schönbrunn Christmas Market.
They can use their imagination, creativity and skill to model marzipan snowmen and polar bears or decorate gingerbread. Experts are on hand to provide assistance. When it’s finished, your child’s work of art is then nicely packed. The only remaining question: should they eat it themselves or make a present of it?
Whether making marzipan figures or gingerbread, children are guaranteed a wonderful time in the Christmas Workshop.
Details
| Age: | from 4 years |
| Dates: | More information follows |
| Location: | Christmas Workshop |
| Duration: | approx. 30 minutes |
| Cost: | More information follows |
| Registration: | only required for groups of 5 children or more |
| Infos: | Group booking |
Interactive Game
Solving puzzles with shepherds on stilts
Have you seen the shepherds on stilts helping with the children’s programme at Schönbrunn Christmas Market? Riding a donkey or accompanied by a lamb, the two friendly mascots look forward to welcoming your family. And they make an ideal photo opportunity!
Children can also accompany the shepherds to the Children’s Hut in the centre of the Christmas Market, the starting point for the Christmas Interactive Game, with its tricky puzzles, fun tasks and exciting challenges. A small reward awaits your child once all the problems have been solved.
Come with your children to the Christmas Interactive Game!
Details
| Age: | from reading age or even earlier with help |
| Dates: | More information follows |
| Location: | Children’s Hut |
| Duration: | approx. 1 hour |
| Cost: | free of charge |
| Registration: | not necessary |
| Infos: | Zum Programmkalender |
Children’s Hut
Advent fun and games for the whole family
Come with your family to the Children’s Hut in the centre of Schönbrunn Christmas Market. Admission is free. You will find all kinds of games there, such as Connect Four, a giant pairs game and a Christmas hidden object picture.
Test your skill or watch your children guiding the play mice to the right goal. There are lots of things to discover in the Christmas hidden object picture. Who will be the first to discover the objects and figures? Or see if you can match up the items in the giant pairs game. And with Connect Four you’ll need skill and strategy. The Children’s Hut is open throughout the day, even when the shepherds are not about.
Ready, steady, go! Which game will you try out first?
Details
| Age: | for all ages |
| Dates: | during the opening hours of the market |
| Location: | in the middle of the market |
| Duration: | as long as it's fun |
| Cost: | free of charge |
| Registration: | not necessary |
St Nicholas
Bishop’s mitre and crosier
With his bishop’s mitre and crosier and a bag full of goodies, St Nicholas will visit the Schönbrunn Christmas Market on 5 and 6 December to hand out presents to children.
But it’s not that simple. According to the old tradition, he would like to hear a Christmas song or poem first. But don’t worry! Help is available and your children will receive their Christmas goodies.
Come along and meet St Nicholas in person.
Details
| Age: | for all ages |
| Dates: | More information follows |
| Location: | Christmas Market |
| Duration: | More information follows |
| Cost: | free of charge |
| Registration: | not necessary |
Discover Schönbrunn
Advent tips
There’s lots to discover for families in Schönbrunn. Take a look at the suggestions in and around the Christmas Market.
