The three markets at a glance
Berchtesgaden and Salzburg continue after Christmas. Hellbrunn finishes on Christmas Eve and is closed on most Mondays. Choose your evenings with those dates in mind.
| BerchtesgadenFree admission · about 9 minutes away | 20 November – 3 January |
|---|---|
| Salzburg cathedral squaresFree admission · about 20 minutes away | 19 November – 1 January |
| Hellbrunn€8 before 19:00, then free · about 15 minutes away | 19 November – 24 December |
Berchtesgaden, with the mountains above
This is a good choice for your first evening. In around nine minutes you’re in town, where roughly 50 stalls lead from Schlossplatz through the lanes. Look at the woodcraft, have a Bosna and stop for a Glühwein.
If you arrive early enough, take the lantern walk first. The route from Weihnachtsschützenplatz to the Kirchleitn Chapel and back to Schlossplatz is just over two kilometres and takes about an hour. From the chapel, you look over the rooftops towards the Watzmann. Bring a torch and shoes with good grip.
| 20 November – 23 December, Monday–Friday | 12:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Weekends until 23 December | 11:00–20:00 |
| 26 December – 3 January, Monday–Friday | 12:00–19:00 |
| Weekends after Christmas | 11:00–19:00 |
| 24 and 31 December | 10:00–16:00 |
| 25 December | Closed |
Salzburg, around the cathedral
For Salzburg, we’d leave earlier and save the market for late afternoon. That gives you time for Getreidegasse or Hohensalzburg Fortress first. Come back down to Domplatz and Residenzplatz as the stalls light up.
If you can, choose an evening with Turmblasen. Brass players perform from three towers around Residenzplatz at 18:30 on Thursdays, 26 November and 3, 10 and 17 December, and Saturdays, 21 and 28 November and 5, 12 and 19 December. Take your punch onto the square and stay to listen.
| Monday–Thursday | 10:00–20:30 |
|---|---|
| Friday | 10:00–21:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–21:00 |
| Sunday and public holidays | 09:00–20:30 |
| 7 December | 10:00–21:00 |
| 24 December | 09:00–15:00 |
| 25/26 December and 1 January | 11:00–18:00 |
| 31 DecemberSelected food and drink stalls until 01:00 | 10:00–18:00 |
Krampus and Perchten
- Krampus procession
- 5 December, expected at 19:00
- Children’s Krampus
- 6 December, 15:30
- Perchten procession
- 21 December, 19:00
Elaborate masks, furs and bells are part of these winter traditions. For a quieter visit with young children, pick a different evening.
Ice skating on Mozartplatz
- Dates
- 12 November – 31 January
A few steps from the stalls, you can skate in the middle of the old town. From 27 December, the Christmas market becomes a New Year market, with lucky charms for the year ahead.
Hellbrunn, with time for the gardens
Save Hellbrunn for an evening when you have time to walk beyond the stalls. The market is in front of the palace, with paths leading further into the illuminated park. Near the entrance, a large tulip tree is covered in red baubles, while the palace windows become an Advent calendar.
Arrive around dusk and explore the grounds as well. Admission is free from 19:00, but that leaves only an hour before closing.
| Tuesday–Friday | 13:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Weekends and public holidays | 10:00–20:00 |
| 24 December | 10:00–14:00 |
| Monday 21 December | 13:00–20:00 |
| Other Mondays | Closed |
Carriage rides
- When
- Friday–Sunday
- Price
- €10; children up to 12, €5
Buy tickets directly from the driver for a carriage ride through the palace grounds.
Hellbrunn Krampus procession
- When
- Friday 4 December, 18:00
The palace park hosts its procession the evening before Salzburg’s.
Getting to Hellbrunn
Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg
Allow about 15 minutes by car from Lampllehen. Palace parking costs €3 for the first two hours, then €1 per hour, up to €10 per day. From the old town, take bus 25 from Rathaus to Schloss Hellbrunn. On Advent weekends it runs every ten minutes between 13:00 and 18:00.
A few evenings, rather than a race
Berchtesgaden suits arrival day if you reach us early enough. Give Salzburg a whole day and Hellbrunn another evening. With only one full day, you can combine Salzburg’s old town markets and Hellbrunn using bus 25. Just check the weekday, as Hellbrunn is closed on most Mondays.
At Lampllehen, you’re between the two places, with breakfast waiting in the morning and your room or chalet to come back to. Our Advent packages include an evening at the Watzmann Therme without sauna; the longer break also includes a Salzburg Card.
Can we see all three markets in one day?
Which markets charge admission?
When are the markets quieter?
Does the Advent package cover the whole market season?
Updated 31 October 2026
