Not everything is closed, but Vienna is very quiet over Christmas. Shops are closed on Dec 25-26 and close early on Dec 24, while museums, some restaurants, and key tourist spots often remain open. The city focus is on family, especially on the evening of Dec 24, meaning many, but not all, restaurants will be closed that night.
The 25th and 26th of December are public holidays, so nearly all stores close on those days. Even those that normally open on Sundays and holidays may be closed (see here for general info on opening times in Vienna). Despite it being the most important day for family celebrations, the 24th is not a public holiday.
Certainly, you won't be surprised to learn that it's the most magical time of year in Vienna. With cozy Christmas markets around every corner, festive lights strung across busy streets, and plenty to do and see, December is a wonderful time to visit Vienna.
And the 26th is also a public holiday - expect most of the shops to be closed. More restaurants and cafes are likely to be open, tourist sights like museums are generally open on the 26th.
Vienna Christmas Markets Guide 2025: BEST Things To Do in Vienna at Christmas!
Do trains run on Christmas Day in Vienna?
Christmas travel services
Trains, buses and trams run normally in Vienna until the school Christmas holidays officially begin, which is typically just a day or two before Christmas itself. In the 2026/2027 school year, for example, these official holidays run from December 24th to January 6th.
No, not all shops are closed on Boxing Day (December 26th), but many major retailers, especially supermarkets like Aldi, M&S, and Lidl, close to give staff a break, while others like Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's open with reduced hours, so it's essential to check specific store times before visiting. More retailers are opting to close to reward employees, making checking opening hours crucial for any Boxing Day shopping plans.
3 days in Vienna: This is ideal for discovering Vienna's essential attractions in more detail. You'll have more time for its museums and to soak in the city's atmosphere, perhaps sampling some famous coffee houses in Vienna's city center, or taking a guided tour.
If you're traveling to the Vienna Christmas Markets, chances are, the city is going to be busy. This is one of the busiest times of year to be visiting Europe. I recommend traveling with extra patience and remembering to keep the spirit of the holidays with you, even when it's crowded.
Christmas Day activities range from relaxing at home with movies, games, baking, and gift opening to getting out for winter walks, attending services, enjoying festive city tours (like London's lights), visiting historic homes decorated for the season, or catching a ballet like The Nutcracker. Volunteering, like helping at a community meal for the elderly, offers a meaningful alternative.
Bless Stonecypher In December, Vienna feels magical but cold, with daytime temperatures usually between 0–5°C (32–41°F) and nights often dropping below freezing.
Cash is king at Christmas Markets in Austria and Germany (though credit cards are accepted more and more so don't be too worried) #christmasmarket #merrychristmas #christmasinaustria #christmasingermany.
Ottakring, situated in the western part of Vienna, is a diverse district known for its vibrant atmosphere. Most of Ottakring is safe. But areas around the Ottakring U-Bahn station and Gürtel Street are sketchy. Especially at night, you might encounter drunk people or people fighting.
What's open on December 25th and December 26th, Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day/Boxing Day? These are public holidays in Austria and most businesses, including shops and malls, remain closed on both days. Some exceptions include shops in petrol stations that are open, and in train stations.
The day after Christmas in the U.S. is a traditional day for making gift returns — the first opportunity after the holiday to exchange presents that didn't quite make the grade. That means most U.S. retailers are open on Dec.
St Wolfgang is famed as Austria's advent town – the most festive place in the whole country. And that's some boast. Alongside Germany, Austria has some of the most popular Christmas markets in the world and Salzburg and Innsbruck are thought to be the most spectacular.
In Vienna, DO greet people politely ("Guten Tag"), respect quietness on transport, validate transit tickets, embrace the slow cafe culture, stand on the right on escalators, and carry cash, while DON'T be loud in public, jaywalk, eat on the subway, expect fast service in cafes, or forget to separate your recycling. Be mindful of personal space and the strong local etiquette for politeness and efficiency, especially regarding greetings and public transport rules.
1 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index, Vienna frequently places as one of the world's top cities to live in. And while it's never explicitly called a 15- or 20-minute city, it nevertheless responds to the social, technological and ecological challenges that we all face.
On Christmas Day, small shops (under 280 sq meters), petrol stations, pharmacies, and businesses in airports/rail stations/motorway services, plus hospitality venues (restaurants, pubs, takeaways), are generally allowed to open in the UK, while large supermarkets and high-street stores (over 280 sq meters) must remain closed in England and Wales due to the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004. However, many smaller businesses and hospitality venues choose to close to give staff the holiday, so checking local times is always best.
So, just to clarify, all big stores (that's ALL of them) will be shut (that's SHUT-not open) on Christmas Day. By law. But you can poodle round a Tesco Express or a SPAR to your heart's content.
