Christmas Markets...

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German speaking part of Europe. A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during advent, mainly the four weeks preceding Christmas Day.

Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst. For many visitors, the highlights of the market are Glühwein, (hot mulled wine, with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. Many handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments can be found at a Christkindlmarkt.

Why not use Landhaus Osborne as a base to visit the many Christmas markets in the area. If you would like to enjoy a Glühwein (or two, or...) then let us know and we could offer you our transfer services. Here are some of the markets you could visit:

Hallstatt

When:  From Wednesday 8th  and Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th December 2010

The romantic Christmas Market on the market square in Hallstatt, a world Heritage Site, is the highlight of Advent. From 8th, 11th-12th December 2010 you can come and experience local custom and tradition for yourself.

In keeping with tradition, the Christmas Crib (Nativity scene) will be displayed in the market square again this year. The 3-dimensional, life-size crib scene was made by the HTBLA Hallstatt sculpting class. Lanterns made by school children from Obertraun will light up the market square!

Opening times:
Wednesday, 8th December 2010 from 11 a.m.
Saturday, 11th December 2010 from 11 a.m.
Saturday, 12th December 2010 from 11 a.m.
 

Bad Ischl

When: 27th November - 19th December 2010 Daily from 09:00 - 18:00

The motto of this year’s Christmas Market of the Ischl craftsmen is “hand-made”. Many demonstrate the craft with their hands – carpenters, bakers or locksmiths – you can watch them at work. Daily from 9:00 until 18:00 in the Trinkhalle.

Gosau

When: 27th - 28th November & 4th - 8th December 2010

Wander amongst the lovely stalls and enjoy a hot mulled wine as you listen to performances by local musicians. There are activities especially for children, including the Children's Cinema. A highlight for the whole family is a horse-drawn sledge ride to the Onara farm and the torch-lit stroll to the Primeval Forest!

Dates 2010:
27th November from 13:00
28t November from 10:00
4th December from 13:00
5th December from 13:00
6th December from 13:00
7th December from 13:00
8th December from 10:00

Wolfgangsee

When: 19th November - 31st December 2010

Advent Market

• Opening weekend: Friday, 19th to Sunday 21st November 2010
• 1. Weekend: Thursday 25th November to Sunday 28th November 2010
• 2. Weekend: Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th December 2010
• 3. Weekend: Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12thDecember 2010
• 4. Weekend: Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th December 2010

Thursday and Friday: from 12.00 till 19.30

Saturday, Sunday: from 10.00 till 19.30

Christmas Market:

The Christmas Markets are open daily from December 26^th till December 31^st 2010.

• St. Gilgen and Strobl: 12:00 - 18:00
• St. Wolfgang: 12:00 - 18:00

The Friedenslicht Laterne (Lantern of Peace) shines across the Wolfgangsee, lighting the way on dark winter nights, for local people and guests from far and wide, inviting them to come to marvel at and rejoice in the Wolfgangsee Advent.

In St. Wolfgang, candles and burning torches create a cosy atmosphere as one strolls from the robustly timbered and rustically decorated market stalls of the Postplatz to the Uferplatz , while visitors to St. Gilgen are met by a baroque Advent representation. The love of life and anticipation of Christmas are impressively depicted on the market stalls by the artist Raja Schwahn-Reichmann.  

As a perfect complement to the other two communities of the Wolfgangsee, the idyllic Strobl presents itself as a village with unique Nativity scenes displayed throughout. The oversize scenery on the shores of the lake, with many live animals to marvel at and touch and numerous nativity displays, Strobl is a special experience in particular for families with young children.

All three villages are illuminated for the pre-Christmas season, the lights shine and sparkle throughout. The three atmospheric and sparkling Christmas Markets are linked by the quiet, dark lake. Regular boat trips pass by the gigantic floating lantern, the huge shining comet in the Strobler Bucht (Strobel Bay) and the Falkensteinwand, from where the sound of the horn players can be heard, their music echoing across the entire lake.

Mondsee

When: 26 November - 19 December 2010

2nd Advent weekend:
3rd to 5th December 2010
and 8th December 2010 (Maria Empfängnis)

3. Advent weekend:
10th to 12th December 2010

4. Advent weekend:
17th to 19th December 2010

Fridays:
15.00 - 20.00

Each Saturday and Sunday (as well as Wednesday 8th December):
10.00 - 20.00

The Advent Market in Mondsee maintains the traditional spirit of celebrating the time before Christmas in Austria. Over the years the market has become more and more attractive for locals as well as for visitors. Seasonal events such as carol concerts, biblical plays and the rediscovery of almost disappeared customs present true Christmas spirit. Right in the centre of Mondsee’s historical ambience just in front of the famous cathedral (well known from the movie “Sound of Music” - the Captain and Maria’s wedding scene was shot inside the cathedral) a unique location for the “Advent in Mondsee” has been found. In combination with the ancient cloister and the flower yard of the former monastery the whole ensemble gives the visitors the feeling of travelling into a dated back century.

Bad Aussee

When: 26 November - 19 December 2010

The Bad Aussee Christmas market is held in the Kur Park every Advent weekend. Various stalls selling small gifts, teas or mulled wines, etc., along with Christmas music create a Christmas atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a Christmas gift for your loved one or just looking for a cosy get together, you'll find it at this market.

Gmunden - Castle Advent in Gmunden

When: 19.11 to 21.11.2010, 26.11 to 28.11.2010, 03.12. to 05.12.2010 und 10.12. to 12.12.2010

Look forward to christmas like in former times at the unique lake castle ... with the fascination of sparkling stars and glowing candels, the smell of cookies and baked apples.

You can expect traditional arts and crafts, toys and extraordinary gift ideas, advent calenders, advent wreath, christmas decoration and special things which you would not find anywhere else.

Exceptional Highlight this year is the first ceramics-christmas market where the Gmundner Keramik presents its new designs and christmas adornments.

For the first time we can also welcome Austria's unique ginger bread village

The christmas market will be framed by christmasy sounds, which are the most beautiful ones when you hear them the first time. Listen to the musicians while they are performing and do not forget to taste the culinaric delicacies and yummy nibblings which are the sweetest at this time of the year!

19th till 21st November 2010: Traditional castle advent in the lake and land castle Ort
26th till 28th November 2010: Traditional castle advent in the lake castle Ort
03rd till 05th December 2010: Traditional castle advent in the lake castle Ort
03rd till 05th December 2010: Magic Alpine Christmas Weekend
10th till 12th December 2010: Traditional castle advent in the lake castle Ort

Opening hours

Friday from 1:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.

Saturday from 1:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.

Sunday from 11:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m.

Entry prices:
ADVENT in the "SEE- and LANDSCHLOSS ORT"
Adults: EUR 3.00
Groups starting with more than 20 people: EUR 2.50/person
Children till 16 years for free

ADVENT only in the "SEESCHLOSS ORT"
Adults: EUR 2.50
Groups starting with more than 20 people: EUR 2.00/person
Children till 16 years for free

Gmunden - Gmundner Advent in the old town centre

When: 27th and 28th of November, 04th and 05th of December, 11th and 12th of December as well as 18th and 19th of December

Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m., Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m

WITH ALL FIVE SENSES.
Hear, smell, taste, see and feel - this is the motto of theAdvent Market in Gmunden.
Experience the Advent 2010 in another way, enjoy with coockies, baked apples, almonds, orange punch, maronite etc. an especially seasonally fragrant experience in the historical town centre of Gmunden.

Listen to christmassy sounds of traditional associations at the place Marktplatz, at the alley Kirchengasse and at the place Rinnholzplatz. During the pleasant tour through the festively decorated town centre your senses will be enchanted by the unique christmassy ambiance.

Following the motto „coockie & ceramics“ you bake your own coockies - how you like them - with specialists. After this you wrap them in small bowls of Gmundner Ceramics.

Furthermore the merchants of Gmunden invite you to a special "Kripperlroas" at their shops.

This year this special christmassy market takes place on all four Advent weekends at the alley Kirchengasse, the place Rinnholzplatz and the place Marktplatz.

More Advent highlights:
Advent trips with the tram of Gmunden
St Nicholas trip at Saturday the 4th of December 2010
Christmassy trip at Saturday the 18th of December 2010

Altmünster

When it gets really cold and the fog is around the lake Traunsee - than you know it is advent.

Saturday 27th November 2010 09:00 -17:00 o'clock advent market, home for the aged Altmünster

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November 2010
Saturday form 08:00 till 19:00 o'clock; Sunnday from 08:00 till 16:00 o'clock. Place: Parish hall

Sunday 28th November 2010
Advent Singing with the "Doppelquartett Edelweiß" at the Calvary Church. Start of the concert is at 19:00 o'clock.
Cost of tickets: € 5 -
Tickets are available at the tourist and the cultural department of the municipality Altmünster

Friday 3th December 2010
from 4:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Advent market marketplace Altmünster

Saturday 4th December 2010 from 3:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Christmasmarket in the town of Neukirchen

Wednesday 8th december 2010
Music afternoon at the junior high school of Altmünster. Start 5.00 p.m.

Tuesday 21th decemer 2010
"Wintersonnwendfeuer im Eggerhaus", start 6.00 p.m.

Traunkirchen

When: 4th & 5th and 11th & 12th December 2010 15:00 - 20:00

The mystic village Traunkirchen, on the peninsula in lake Traunsee, with its atmosphere is the ideal spot for those who like to experience authentic advent spirit.

Ebensee

Gently, without confusion and kitsch are the christmas markets in Ebensee. The "silent time" of the advent is to the fore!

Tuesday, 8th December
"Advent am Hof", Mostschenke im Heustadl, starting at 11:00 a.m.
beautiful advent market at the farm of the family Steinkogler

Saturday and Sunday, 11th till 12th December and Saturday and Sunday, 18th till 19th December 2010
"Ebenseer Adventmarkt", Rathauspark town centre from 2:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.
small, cosy and full of atmosphere advent market in the town centre.

Winter customs in the Rathauspark. In the small but very cosy Advent market the exhibitors show not only beautifully designed kiosks but also want to indicate the visitors over the original and unadulterated customs of Ebensee.
Also the representatives from the Ebenseer Glöckler with their huge caps are on site and the museum which is worth seeing opens at the second weekend of christmas for viewing the cribs. Musical entertainment complements the beautiful atmosphere.

On both saturdays (11th and 18th of december) there are also some christmas kiosks in the Marktgasse. For those who wants to have the advent time a little bit more quiet, the Ebenseer Advent market is the perfect choice.

Landhaus Osborne - Ebnerstegweg 148 - 4831 Obertraun - Austria          Tel: +43 6131 534          Email: info@landhaus-osborne.at