Salzburg, Austria is one of the most popular places to visit during Christmas Market season in Europe. They have a blend of exquisite history and a quaint Old Town backdrop with a real life castle. They also host one of the most popular Krampus Runs in Austria.
In this blog post, we are going to give you all the information you need to know while planning your visit to Salzbourg for their Christmas Markets.
When To Go To Salzburg for Christmas Markets and Krampus Run
The 2026 Salzburg Christmas Market Dates :
Opening times November 20, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Salzburg Krampus Run 2026 Date:
December 5th 2026 (the run always takes place the eve of Saint Nicholas Day which is December 6th)
Where Are The Christmas Markets In Salzburg
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
- Where: Domplatz and Residenzplatz
- When:November 20, 2026 – January 1, 2027
- Monday-Thursday 10 AM – 8:30 PM
- Friday 10 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday 9 AM – 9 PM
- Sunday + Holidays 9 AM – 8:30 PM
- Cost: Free
Found in the centre of Old Town, there are technically 2 Christmas Markets here but they blend into each other. They have many stalls with a variety of food, drink and gift options. We perused the various vendors, got a massive pretzel sandwich and enjoyed hot mulled wine while taking in our surroundings.
There is a small stage located set up right in front of the massive Salzburg Cathedral (in Domplatz) which hosts choirs, traditional music and even demonstrations (we got to see someone carving a traditional Krampus Mask) at various times. You can check the full schedule of events here.
Hohensalzburg Fortress Market
- Where: The Courtyard of Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Cost: Free (unless you want to visit inside the Fortress as well)
- When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Late November into Late December from 11 AM to 7 PM (2026 dates TBA)
While this market is much smaller than the others in Old Town, it is still worth the visit. The Fortress is a medieval castle built in 1077. It is Central Europe’s largest preserved castle, offering 360-degree city views, gothic state rooms, and museum.
You can either walk up or pay for the funicular to get up to the top (which you can combine this with entrance fee into the Fortress as well). Admission to the market itself is free on the footpath to the courtyard – but the fortress is worth paying to walk through as it offers incredible history, as well as some of the most spectacular views of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains. You can find information on this market here.
The Salzburg Christmas Market At Mirabellplatz
- Where: In front of Mirabell Palace
- When: Late November to Late December (2026 dates TBA)
- Sunday-Thursday 10 AM – 8 PM
- Friday-Saturday 10 AM – 9 PM
- Cost: Free
This small Christmas Market is located in-front of Mirabell Palace in downtown Salzburg. It hosts uniquely decorated huts that offer food, drinks and a variety of crafts and trinkets. This market is a bit quieter than the main markets in town, offering an escape from the crowds. It is also across from St Andrews Church which is worth a visit.
Krampus Run in Salzburg
- Where: Run through Old Town streets and end in Domplatz to walk across the stage
- When: December 5th starting around 5pm
- Cost: Free
We planned our entire Christmas Market trip around this run. This is one of the most famous runs in Austria, and offers a relatively tame introduction to the Krampus tradition in comparison to other villages. 100s of Krampus, separated by the village they represent, run through the various streets in Salzburg, ending in Domplatz where they wait their turn to cross the stage.
Be prepared to get up close and personal, as each Krampus will swat at on lookers, wipe black soot on your face and even growl at you. This is one of the strangest holiday traditions we have witnessed and we loved every second of it.
Tips for the Krampus Run: the streets get very crowded so we highly recommend getting there early to secure a spot. We headed to Old Town around 5pm and got caught in the parade which ended up in shoulder to shoulder crowds until we reached Domplatz.
Where To Stay in Salzburg
Location is Important
Salzburg is technically a very large area and hotels can be quite spread out, so we highly recommend looking at where your hotel is on the map in relation to the markets. If you do not have a car to get around, we highly recommend staying near the City Centre so you can walk to all the markets.
Price of Hotels
During the Christmas market season in Salzburg there is a significant price jump in comparison to the rest of the year. For hotels located near Old Town, the price is around $400 per night. You can find cheaper hotels on the outskirts of Salzburg, but it will require use of the buses or having a car to access the markets.
Our Hotel REcommendations
Theatre Hotel Salzburg:
We have stayed here personally both times we have been in Salzburg for the Christmas Markets. They are within walking distance to the train station as well as Old Town, making it very convenient. The hotel has 24/7 front desk assistance and free Wifi. The rooms were recently updated as well.
You can find more information on Theatre Hotel Salzburg here.
Leonardo Hotel Salzburg City Centre:
This hotel is located in the City Centre, has updated rooms, free wifi and is pet friendly. This is another great option within a reasonable price range.
You can find more information on the Leonardo Hotel Salzburg here.
Things To Do In Salzburg
Aside from the Christmas Markets, there are many amazing things to do in Salzburg and the surrounding area. Salzburg is the birth place of Mozart, home to the Sound of Music, and has the oldest running restaurant in Europe.
Visit Mozart’s Birth Place
Mozart is considered one of the best musical minds in history. His birthplace is located at Getreidegasse 9 in the historic center of Salzburg, Austria. The famous yellow building houses a three-story museum showcasing the composer’s childhood violin, original instruments, family portraits, and historic rooms.
You can find general information about the museums here!
You can also take a private guided tour with a knowledgable guide here.
Listen to Mozart’s Music during a Live Concert
You can listen to an incredible ensemble play music from incredible composers like Mozart inside the Baroque-style Marble Hall in Mirabell Palace. The Marble Hall was once the banquet hall of the prince archbishops and is today deemed one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world! You can purchase tickets here.
Sound of Music Tour
This is one of the original Sound of Music Tours and is narrated by an English speaking guide. The tour is approximately 4 hours in length and takes you to iconic filming locations through Salzburg and the surrounding areas. They also play some of the movie soundtrack during the tour. You can find info on the tour here!
Eat Dinner at the Oldest Restaurant in Europe
The St. Peter Stiftskulinarium in Salzburg, Austria, is widely considered the oldest restaurant in Europe. First recorded in 803 AD by the English scholar Alcuin of York, it operates inside the walls of St. Peter’s Abbey. The best part? You can still eat there today! You can find the menu and make a reservation here.
Final Thoughts on Salzburg Christmas Market and Krampus Run
If you are looking for a unique stop during your European Christmas market tour, then you need to add Salzburg to your list. From its extensive history, castle and mountain backdrops, and the magical feeling of the Christmas Markets, this is the perfect place to experience Christmas in Europe.
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