People in Austria love Advent. Christmas markets, Mulled Wine (Glühwein), Christmas cookies, Advent wreaths (Adventskränze) and other Christmas traditions add to the magic of the "most beautiful time of the year".
Millions of visitors from around the world flock to the cities and small towns from mid-November every year to join in the celebrations leading up to Christmas Eve.
In Advent you can organise a ski trip to Tirol and enjoy the typical Christmas Markets too.
And one of the best places to enjoy "Christmas in the Mountains" (Bergweihnacht) is the City of Innsbruck, and the ski areas in Innsbruck Land. There you will find some of the best Christmas Markets to visit in Tirol.
And the SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck is your passport to enjoy the full package in one ticket. It includes 13 ski areas (Stubai Glacier, Axamer Lizum, Schlick 2000, Kühtai, Hochötz, Muttereralm, Bergeralm, Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen, Serlesbahnen, Elferbahnen, Patscherkofel, Oberperfuss - Rangger Köpfl, and Glungezer), 291 km of slopes and 48 km of ski routes around the city of Innsbruck.
The SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck also includes 23 city experiences, the use of the entire ski bus network as well as the Innsbruck Sightseer hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
Six different Christmas markets in Innsbruck, each with its own character and singularity, give you the perfect opportunity to experience a memorable time in Tirol.
The tradition started in 1973 with the Traditional Market by the Golden Roof. The old town market, with its majestic Christmas tree right in front of the Golden Roof, under which are lined up the market stalls offering Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts and a variety of delightful Tyrolean specialities like "Kiachln", burnt almonds, chestnuts and "Glühwein".
The Family Market on the market square with the glittering Swarovski crystal tree and its unique sparkling star has a homely atmosphere and lots of exciting attractions for children.
The Modern Market on Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck's splendid main avenue, has a very special vibe with Christmas articles from all over the world, shimmering trees and giant Christmas balls ornaments creating a lovely Christmassy atmosphere.
The cosy Panorama Market on the Hungerburg with stunning views of of the city Innsbruck is one of our favorites and highly recommendable.
Christmas Magic on Wiltener Platzl at the foot of the Bergisel ski jump, in the pretty district of Wilten, includes genuine arts and crafts, outstanding food and a select cultural programme.
And last but not least, the quiet and reflective market in the Hans-Brenner-Platz square in St. Nikolaus, Innsbruck’s oldest district.
From 25 November - 17 December, every Friday and Saturday afternoon, you have the opportunity to hop-on in the “Christkindlbahn”, Innsbruck's historic Christmas tram.
This vintage tram only operates in the run-up to Christmas allowing visitors, free of charge, to be immersed in the magic and wonder of the Christmas season.
One more thing. If you spend your day skiing in the perfectly groomed ski slopes of the Glungezer panorama ski area in the Hall-Wattens holiday region, enjoying the wonderful view of the Inn Valley, you can discover in the afternoon one of the hidden treasures of Christmas time in Tirol. The charming Old Town of Hall makes an inspirational statement with its unmatched Christmas illuminations on the houses in the town center. The spectacular lighting displays in the medieval lanes and alleys of Hall’s Upper Town Square show stars and Christmas motifs.
The enjoyable atmosphere of Advent Season wouldn’t be the same without the excitement of family fun and entertainment, so Hall has laid on a program of traditional seasonal events. Storytellers, fire artists and carolers take you to enjoy echoes of the magic of Christmas past.
