The Advent in Graz is considered the fifth season. Because of this, the city dresses up every year anew and tries to bring the diversity of Advent closer to its guests. The pre-Christmas season can be experienced here with all senses. Every Christmas market in Graz can be easily reached on foot.
Overview of all Christmas markets in Graz at a glance
During the pre-Christmas period in Graz, a Christmas market can be found at the following places – All Christkindlmärkte in Graz at a glance:
- Main Square
- At the Iron Gate
- dyeing place
- meal space
- Little bell playground.
- Franciscan quarter
- Little Neutorgasse
- Playground
- Mary’s aid station
- Carmelite Square
- Joanneum Quarter
- Artistic handicraft in the Joanneum Quarter
- Little Schlossberg
- South Tyrolean square
- Nikolaiplatz
The Christmas market on the main square
In the middle of the main square of Graz is a magnificent Christmas tree, which decorates the city centre. In addition, there are many fragrant Christmas cottages where you can stop in to enjoy sweets and hot drinks.
The Christkindlmarkt at the main square in Graz is very important for tourists and locals alike. Usually the whole city is decorated with a light avenue from the town hall to the Christmas tree. Above the white roofs of the Christmas huts, light projections can be seen in a Christmassy mood. In addition to all these aspects, tasteful handicrafts and Christmas goods can also be purchased.
The Advent meeting at the Iron Gate
The Advent meeting, which can be found at the Iron Gate, is in the service of charity. At the Advent-Treff, mulled wine, mulled cider, berry punch and of course non-alcoholic beverages can be consumed. The net proceeds are donated to various aid projects.
The arts and crafts market at Färberplatz
The crafts market on Färberplatz offers design products and arts and crafts that are festively, authentically, idyllically and creatively presented. Unique pieces of high quality handicrafts made by various local and international designers and craftsmen are exhibited. In addition, different individual small series are offered. The products are made of leather, wax, metal, fabric, glass, clay and wood.
Since 2015, the Austrian seal of approval for quality in craftsmanship and art has been awarded. In addition, many culinary, regional and biological specialities as well as winter drinks are offered. On some days there is a program, which is surrounded by live music. Of course there is also a program for the youngest ones.
The arts and crafts at the flour place
A highlight on the flour square is the annual arts and crafts market. The Design-Adventhütten are something very special. At night they look like shining crystals and during the day the interior is put on display. On the one hand, delicious delicacies and on the other hand exquisite handicrafts are offered.
The Advent at the Glockenspielplatz
During Advent at the Glockenspielplatz, everything revolves around the Austrian province of “Styria”. Here you can find homemade handicrafts, Styrian specialities and classics of the Advent market like punch and mulled wine. All of this is of course presented by local exhibitors.
The Christmas market in the Franciscan quarter
The Christmas market in the Franciscan quarter is the oldest Christmas market in Graz. It is mainly concerned with rural traditions. This means that the focus is on Thuringian Christmas tree decorations, arts and crafts and products from the Styrian regions of pleasure.
Visitors can warm up with mulled cider, mulled wine and punch. For the little ones, a carousel is always set up at Franziskanerplatz, with which they can take a ride. Mostly the Christmas market is open even after Christmas.
The Children’s Advent in Kleine Neutorgasse
The Children’s Advent in Kleine Neutorgasse is something special for every child. In addition to the carousel, they can also take a seat on the nostalgia giant wheel or buy sweets. The Children’s Advent is also open after Christmas.
The playground
At the romping place you can find colourful things from all over the world. Artisans, globetrotters and bon vivants offer a very colourful assortment. On the one hand there are handicrafts brought from faraway countries and on the other hand selfmade pieces.
The goods are made of precious materials such as exhibits made of wood, gemstones or silver and much more. For long winter days fine wool textiles from South American Peru are offered. Of course, there is also a incense , which invites visitors to move comfortably and calmly through the Christmas market.
The Circus Wonderlend at Mariahilferplatz
The Circus Wonderlend at Mariahilferplatz is a travelling circus, which is a real alternative to other Christmas markets thanks to its colourful stands and carriages and colourful lights. There is a pavilion in the middle of the circus ring. In addition, a varied music program is played. The atmosphere makes one or the other visitor dance.
The Carmelite Square
The Karmeliterplatz offers visitors a lot of fun. On a skating rink, which is 1,000 square meters in size, there is great skating fun for young and old to experience. Anyone who does not have the necessary equipment and still wants to skate can ask for help at the equipment rental.
The ice rink also offers ice hockey games and curling. In the children’s winter world at the Karmeliterplatz the little ones can play, paint and do handicrafts together with their parents. There are performances by the Punch and Judy Clown Jako, a children’s baking studio and a cosy reading corner. The Kinderwinterwelt offers parents an ice cream café where they can spend time while the little ones have fun.
The Advent in the Joanneum quarter with handicraft market
The Joanneum Quarter is an urban place for culture and art. Visitors here are catered for by the best restaurateurs from Styria. Every Sunday there is an Advent tinkering with Lilo for children. The arts and crafts market is also to be found in the Joanneum Quarter. Here extraordinary gift ideas are presented in a stylish ambience. It’s all about perfect harmony between culinary and art.
The art.hand.work in the Joanneum quarter
The Styrian Arts and Crafts Initiative repeatedly presents high-quality works from the workshops and studios of its members in Graz. The Leslie- und Lesehof in the Joanneum Quarter offers an atmospheric setting for all this. The focus is on tradition, the new, individuality and creativity. The competition “The Modern Nativity” is also held here every year. In this competition, not only the jury may cast their votes, but also the audience.
The “Aufsteirern” Christmas market on the Schlossberg
During Advent the casemates are transformed into a very large and festively decorated living room. The castle hill is wrapped in a contemplative atmosphere. The bell tower Liesl is full of atmospheric and ravishing surprises, which fascinate not only the little ones. The area in front of the Garrison Museum is always a dreamlike highlight. In addition, everything that makes a Christmas market is offered on the Schlossberg. These are numerous high-quality products from Styrian exhibitors, contemplative tower brass instruments, an atmospheric prologue by the Christ Child as well as a traditional music programme. The Schlossberg cable car can be used to get directly to the world of the Styrians.
The Christmas Market at Südtiroler Platz
At Südtiroler Platz the Advent season is celebrated in a slightly different atmosphere. The heart of the square is the Steirerhütte. It surprises with culinary delicacies and offers a heated and cosy guest area for visitors. Here, for example, baked potatoes or pork sausages can be consumed. The South Tyrolean square is always decorated by a historic sleigh and a large painted Christmas tree ball.
The Grieskindlmarkt at the Nikolaiplatz
The Grieskindlmarkt on Nikolaiplatz is a sustainable Christmas market. Here the Styrian designer scene presents itself with handmade products from jewellery, natural cosmetics, home decor, fashion and accessories. The focus is on ecological management and sustainability. Above all, regional delicacies made from local ingredients as well as homemade punch and mulled wine are offered. The culinary offer is rounded off with pastries and classic Christmas cookies. From time to time, creative workshops are offered in the restaurant “Granny’s Teapot”, which are intended to round off the offer of the sales stands. At the sustainable Christmas market, the focus will be on regional food, environmentally friendly packaging materials and do-it-yourself.
What highlights are there in Graz during the Advent season?
The following highlights can be observed in Graz during the Advent season:
- Ice-crip
- cramp run
- City Hall projection
- Advent slow train.
- The Graz Crib Way
- Office for Christmas Carols
- Christmas tree
- Adventbim
- Fairytale forest on Schlossbergplatz
- Advent in the churches
The ice crib
The ice crib in the Landhaushof is a magical attraction during Advent. Every year, the ice artist Kimmo Frosti models 35 tons of ice into a unique work of art. The ice crib in Graz represents the first and still largest ice crib in the world.
cramp run in Graz
Every year there is also a Krampus run in the city centre.
The City Hall projection
The facade of the town hall in Graz shines every year as a huge Advent calendar and can be seen at dusk.
The Advent slow train
During the Advent season, the Advent slow train travels through the old town of Graz. The Christmas market on the main square is the point of entry and exit. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Every adult has to pay two euros for this experience and every child one euro.
The Graz Crib Way
The Grazer Krippenweg begins at the Ice Crib and leads through Stempfergasse to the Christmas exhibition in the Diözesanmuseum.
The office for Christmas carols
The office for Christmas carols is spread worldwide and helps to find melodies and lyrics. The office also acts as an information centre for all questions concerning music making and singing as well as Christmas customs.
The Christmas tree
The Christmas tree in Graz is decorated with more than 25,000 lights.
The advent bim
The tram is decorated every year for Christmas. With this possibility the Graz Advent can also be enjoyed from a different perspective. The whole thing is free of charge and takes about 30 minutes. You can get on and off at Jakominiplatz, Hauptplatz and Südtiroler Platz.
The fairytale forest at Schlossbergplatz
In the fairytale forest there is a large Advent wreath decorated with 24 candles, fairytale depictions and furniture to sit down.
The Advent in the churches
In the churches of Graz there are rituals, Advent wreath blessings, St. Nicholas actions, Advent concerts, Christmas exhibitions, festive services, end-of-year devotions, children’s and family afternoons and much more.
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