SALZBURG AT ADVENT
Magical Christmas Markets
Historic old Salzburg in the month leading to Christmas time and the New Year could not be more romantic. This special city under a fresh cover of newly fallen snow marking the coming of winter makes for a truly magic setting for the celebrating the traditional alpine Christmas Markets on the advent calendar in December, fragrant mulled wines, holiday music and nativity plays.
Avent in November marks the start of the Christmas season in Salzburg. All the Christmas markets open, creating a very special atmosphere. The most famous of all is the historic Salzburg Christmas Market on the Cathedral and Residence Square. This traditional market has been held since the 15th century. The irresistible smell of Christmas cookies, freshly baked apples, hot chestnuts and toasted almonds fills the air, awakening unforgettable childhood memories. Extraordinary, unconventional gifts and traditional crafts catch the eye everywhere. Concerts and events including the “Singing in Front of the Cathedral“ every day with domestic choirs, or the romantic Adventblasen with the Salzburg castle trumpeters every Saturday on Residence Square are ringing in Christmas. Christkindlmarkt
For a little execise with your shopping, those, Mozarteis offers outdoor fun on ice-skates on Mozart Square; right in the center of Salzburg’s historic city. The beautifully decorated Salzburg Christmas Market close by with its romantic lighting and the scent of cinnamon, frankincense and freshly baked apples make the skating experience even more special. Mozarteis
Aninsider’s tip is the Salzburg Fortress Advent Market in the courtyard of Hohensalzburg Castle from November 30 until December 23 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The medieval fortress, easily to be reached by cable car or on foot, presents breathtaking view of the frosted winter city. The advent market offers traditional arts and crafts, great gift ideas and Christmas delicacies. The castle also stages classical concerts with a focus on advent music between November 29 and December 23. Salzburg-Burgen
Hellbrun Advent Magic, November 22 thru December 24, has received a number of accolades. Visitors from all over are led along a torch-lined path to the Hellbrunn Palace with its facade transformed into a giant-sized advent calendar. The magic atmosphere created by 400 Christmas trees decorated with 13,000 red Christmas lights and ornaments, numerous market stalls and an exciting entertainment program make the anticipation of Christmas Eve a little easier. Hellbrunneradventzauber
For the last ten years, lovers of international variety shows have been enjoying the Winter Festival in Volksgarten held November 29 until December 31. Contemporary circus shows - without trained elephants, tigers and glitter costumes, but with breath taking acrobatics, unforgettable images, enchanting stories and subtle humour – provide a charming contrast to the traditional Advent program. The Winter Festival is the first and only contemporary circus festival in Austria. Winterfest
Salzburg is famous for its Christmas concerts. The world renowned Salzburg Advent Singing at the Great Festival Hall with more than 150 participants is presented from November 30 to December 16. For 2012 the theme “Otherwise, it would remain a dream” features a grandmother and a child experiencing the events surrounding Mary and Joseph in ten dream images in an unusual way. The Salzburg Advent Singing was initiated in 1946 by Tobias Reiser together with the composer, Klemens Vereno. Today, it is an impressive testimony of the Advent message of harmony and peace. Salzburgeradventsingen
St. Andrew's Parish Church on Mirabell Square in the heart of Salzburg offers a romantic setting for an unforgettable Advent experience, the original “Salzburg Advent” ® from November 30 until December 16. The program makes a journey back to the Christmas of childhood, encompassing folk and baroque music, romantic Christmas poetry and prose, and a theatre play (in German). The Christmas Market on Mirabell Square runs from November 22 thru December 24, with ornately decorated booths in front of the Mirabell Palace. Salzburgeradvent
And just as the holiday markets end for year, the winter season begins with the “Salzburg Flachau Ski Shuttle“ offering Salzburg visitors the opportunity to combine a city holiday with winter ski sports. Skiers are taken to snow space Flachau - part of the extensive skiing area of Ski amadé -where they can enjoy 860 kilometres of slopes. The shuttle buses are accompanied by experienced guides, who will help with ski passes, equipment and all local activities. Salzburg.info/skishuttle
Special Advent season Mozart Dinners are held at the St Peter's Stiftskeller though December (see Mozart Dinner Concert). The year ends with New Year’s Eve concerts at the Great Festival Hall, the Mozarteum, the Salzburg State Theatre, the Mirabell Palace and Hohensalzburg Fortress. The New Year's Shooting of the Salzburg civil guards in Salzburg’s old town has also turned into an annual fixture. Salzburg’s historic city is celebrating the turn of the year with a magnificent party in a fantastic atmosphere. To help the time to New Year’s Eve countdown pass more quickly, “Altstadt Silvester” from December 30 until January 1 offers live music, culinary delights, a spectacular fireworks display above Hohensalzburg Fortress and, finally, the New Year’s Eve concert by the Mozarteum Orchestra at the Great Festival Hall. Salzburg-Altstadt
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See Also:
HELLBRUNN PALACE TRICK FOUNTAINS
SALZBURG
MARIONETTES THEATER
BAROQUE
MUSEUM OF SALZBURG
CHRISTMAS MARKETS BY TRAIN - FROM PARIS
BEER & BREWERY TOURING SALZBURG
EUROPE CHRISTMAS MARKETS TOUR BY TRAIN
