Wiener Symphoniker History, Concerts & Performance Venues
December 31, 2024
Christmas kids in Vienna are in for a magical treat, with twinkling lights, festive markets, and endless holiday adventures designed just for them. Spending Christmas in Vienna with kids is like stepping into a fairytale!
With so many activities perfect for little ones, Vienna makes holiday magic come to life. Imagine ice skating under a canopy of stars, meeting puppets at Schönbrunn, or hopping on a tram to see Vienna’s brightest Christmas displays. From tobogganing in snowy parks to watching enchanting family shows, this is the perfect time of the year. This guide will help you plan a memorable Christmas filled with joy, wonder, and plenty of kid-approved fun!
For a unique Christmas experience, head to Vienna’s Prater amusement park, where the holiday spirit shines in every corner! Begin by hopping on the Giant Ferris Wheel, one of Vienna’s iconic symbols. As it gently lifts you high above the city, enjoy sweeping views of Vienna wrapped in Christmas lights, with twinkling lights from nearby holiday markets adding a touch of magic. Kids and adults will love meeting famous faces at Madame Tussauds Vienna, where festive decorations add a special holiday charm to the exhibits.
Afterward, grab a hot cocoa or treat from a Prater Christmas market stall to keep warm as you stroll through the park. Families can enjoy fun carnival rides, or simply take in the festive decorations adorning this historic park.
Location: Prater Amusement Park, Vienna
Time: Open daily from morning to evening
For a cosy tour under Vienna’s festive Christmas lights, hop on a sightseeing tram or hop on hop off bus. Vienna’s iconic Ring Tram is one of the best ways to experience the city’s landmarks, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera. With streets lined in sparkling Christmas lights and seasonal decorations, it’s a relaxing way to see the city without all the walking. For a special Christmas kids treat, take an evening tram ride when the lights are brightest, and keep your camera ready for photos of Vienna’s gorgeous holiday displays.
Location: Starting points vary; the Ring Tram departs from Schwedenplatz
Time: Evening rides run approximately every 30 minutes
Ice skating is a festive tradition in Vienna, with ice rinks popping up all over the city during winter. Some of the best rinks include the Vienna Ice Dream (Wiener Eistraum) in front of City Hall, offering a picturesque skating experience surrounded by fairy lights and holiday cheer. For a unique spin, try the Engelmann Ice Rink, a rooftop rink with views over the city, or skate on the frozen Old Danube if temperatures allow. Parents can warm up with a glühwein while the kids enjoy skating—just don’t have too much if you’re joining them on the ice!
Location: Wiener Eistraum, Rathausplatz; Vienna, Austria
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Date: 15 November to 26 Dezember 2024
During Christmas, Vienna’s opera houses offer magical children’s performances. Head to the Volksoper or the Vienna State Opera for enchanting kid-friendly versions of classic fairy tales. This December, look out for the Grimm Brothers’ Hansel and Gretel, beautifully adapted for young audiences. With attractive costumes, captivating music, and a storyline that’s easy to follow, these shows are sure to spark children’s imaginations. It’s an ideal introduction to opera for kids, giving them a chance to experience Vienna’s rich musical tradition.
Location: Volksoper Vienna, Währinger Str. 78; Vienna
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m ( Hansel and Gretel)
Date: 25 December, 2025 ( Hansel and Gretel)
Booking: Tickets available at Volksoper
This winter, bring your sleds (or even just a plastic bag) to TürkenschanzPark, one of Vienna’s largest parks, which transforms into a winter playground. Spread across 150,000 m², Türkenschanz offers open spaces perfect for toboggan, snowball fights, and general snowy fun. Kids can zip down the slopes, while parents can join in or enjoy the winter landscape from a nearby bench. If it’s a snowy day, this is one of the best places in Vienna for a memorable outdoor adventure.
Location: Türkenschanzpark, Vienna
Time: Open daily
Booking: No booking required; free entry
Schönbrunn Palace is a treasure trove of activities for Christmas kids. Start with a visit to the Christmas Market in front of the palace, which has charming stalls filled with handmade crafts, Christmas treats, and holiday vibes. Don’t miss the Marionette Theater nearby, offering delightful puppet shows that will keep the little ones entertained. The Children’s Museum inside Schönbrunn gives kids a hands-on look into royal life, where they can dress up in historical costumes, solve puzzles, and imagine themselves as young princes and princesses.
The backdrop of illuminated Schönbrunn Palace and a gigantic Christmas tree, mixed with the smell of Christmas cookies and mulled wine will be a great experience for all of you.
Like at Freyung, you can shop around for seasonal accessories from traditional craftsmanship and natural materials. However, make sure you dress warmly as the square in front of Schönbrunn can be really windy. There is a children’s workshop every Sunday before Christmas (2.30 to 5.30pm) – my daughter made beeswax candles two years ago and loved it. There are other children’s activities going on such as guided tours through the children’s museum – ask at Information if and when they are on as you arrive.
Dates: 19th November to 26th December;
Location: Schönbrunn Palace, front entrance; A-1130 Vienna
Booking: Tickets for Schönbrunn attractions and workshops available here.
Vienna’s Christmas markets are magical places for families, filled with lights, treats, and festive activities. The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is one of the most popular, featuring a children’s area with a mini-train, carousel, and craft workshops. Maria Theresien Square has a smaller, more relaxed market where you can enjoy unique handmade items, while Karlsplatz offers live music, art, and a quirky clown making balloon animals. For a royal twist, visit the Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace. Every market has hot chocolate for kids and glühwein for adults, plus a range of Austrian food like sacher torte and kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes).
A great neighbourhood Christmas market, the Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas village) is located in the huge courtyard of our 17th century town hospital, now used as a university campus. There are loads of booths selling traditional seasonal staples, from ‘punsch’ (ask for ‘Kinderpunsch’ without alcohol for the kids) and mulled wine to gingerbread, Christmas cookies, and potato pies (Erdäpfelpuffer). You and your kids can do ice skating and curling (a game played on ice, in which heavy stones with handles are slid towards a target circle) and learn traditional craftsmanship of making candles, gingerbread and learning turnery.
The Christmas Market at Türkenschanzpark also offers a family-friendly atmosphereFOR Christmas kids. This place is perfect for leisurely strolls among charming stalls selling handmade crafts, ornaments, and tasty treats. With a small petting zoo and carousel, it’s an ideal spot for kids to enjoy the festive spirit without the crowds.
Date: Mid November to December 25
Booking: Entry is free; tickets for rides can be purchased on-site
Vienna’s festive concert season includes plenty of family-friendly shows at kids theater. Check out Marko Simsa’s Christmas concert or the House of Music where musician Bernhard Fibich hosts interactive holiday concerts for Christmas kids. Another favourite is the Christmas Witch play at Peterskirche, a fun twist on the Italian story of Befana the Witch, who arrives too late for the birth of Jesus. It’s a lively performance filled with humor and Christmas magic, perfect for young audiences.
Location: Various, including Stadtsaal, House of Music, Peterskirche
Date: Throughout December
Booking: Book for different kids concerts here.
When it’s time to unwind from all the holiday outings, a cosy Christmas movie night is a perfect treat for Christmas kids. Vienna’s winter nights are ideal for bundling up with blankets, hot cocoa, and family-friendly holiday films. Classic picks like The Polar Express and A Charlie Brown Christmas bring heartwarming stories and teach the joy of giving, while Home Alone adds a touch of festive adventure. For younger kids Christmas movies like The Snowman and Mickey’s Christmas Carol capture the magic of Christmas in a gentle, animated style. Check out this list of the Best Holiday Movies for Kids for more inspiration on seasonal family favourites!
Christmas just isn’t complete without a joyful holiday soundtrack! Gather the family for a sing-along to classic Christmas songs like Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman. Many songs are perfect for all ages, with catchy tunes and easy-to-remember lyrics that get everyone in a festive mood. For something new, try modern holiday hits like All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey or Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson, which bring a fun, upbeat vibe. You can even set up a mini family karaoke session and let each member perform their holiday favourite—sure to create some lasting Christmas memories.
For more fun, checkout the songs that I associate with Christmas in my home city Vienna. Mix classicals with Austropop, Conchita Wurst and music that’s just acquired the stamp of Christmas, for example from annual The Nutcracker ballet at Vienna State Opera.
Find it on Spotify and press play.
Bring joy to your holiday gatherings with a selection of festive games that are perfect for Christmas kids. Start with the Merry Christmas Word Game, where participants create as many words as they can from the letters in “Merry Christmas” within a two-minute time limit. For more fun, try Pin the Nose on Rudolph, a delightful twist on the classic game that adds a festive touch to the traditional “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Another engaging option is the Holiday Picture Drawing Challenge, where players draw Christmas-themed items on paper plates placed on their heads, all without looking.
For those seeking a mix of fun and education, consider Jingle Bell Toss, where players aim to toss bells into containers, or Snowman Stack, a game that involves building the tallest marshmallow snowman without knocking it down. Other exciting games include Name That Christmas Song, where teams guess songs from short clips, and the hilarious Toilet Paper Snowman, where players wrap each other in toilet paper to create a snowman.
I, with my grandsons mix them up with festive hunts like a Candy Cane Hunt or a game of Christmas “I Spy.” These activities keep our holiday spirit alive and create cherished memories that we look forward to year after year.
When it comes to Christmas gifts for kids, a balance of fun and educational presents often goes over best! Look for toys that encourage creativity, like building blocks, art sets, or storybooks that inspire reading. Experiences also make memorable gifts—tickets to a kid-friendly show, vouchers for a fun family outing, or even a cooking class for budding chefs. Personalized gifts, such as a holiday-themed book where your child is the main character, can add a magical touch to Christmas morning. And, of course, classic Kids Christmas pajamas and cosy blankets keep the festive spirit alive all day long!
Discover Vienna’s charm effortlessly! Start with a stroll through the historic city center, visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Explore world-class museums like the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Belvedere.
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