©SalzburgerLand Tourismus. Familytime. Advent and Christmas.
Advent in SalzburgerLand
A special time full of atmosphere.
When the days become shorter and the mountain peaks are dusted white after the first snowfall, a silence envelopes SalzburgerLand as the Advent season begins. From the end of November the brass melodies of the “Weisenbläser” can be heard and the air is filled with the aromas of “Lebkuchen” and “Glühwein”. Christmas markets invite you to take a stroll and experience the traditional and authentic season of Advent in SalzburgerLand.
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Nothing awakens the Christmas spirit more than a visit to one of the many picturesque Christmas markets in SalzburgerLand. The air is filled with the aromas of freshly baked Christmas biscuits, spicy baked apples, punch and glühwein. The culinary delights of Christmas go hand in hand with Advent. Christmas trees adorned with candles and pretty Christmas garlands indicate that Christmas is just around the corner. Why not exchange the hustle and bustle of everyday life for an enjoyable stroll through a Christmas market?
Classics and Insider Tips
Soak up the atmosphere of a Christmas market and let yourself be astounded by the sight of homemade Christmas tree decorations that can be purchased directly from the market stalls. Sample a glass of tasty punch and peel a hot chestnut that has come straight from an open fire. Be entranced by the magical brass melodies played by the Weisenbläser. The famous Salzburg Christmas Market is set against the backdrop of the great cathedral, in the heart of the Old Town. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the Oberndorf Christmas Market, the village known for the famous carol “Silent Night“, or the insider’s tip of the idyllic Christmas Market in Filzmoos or Advent Market in the mountain resort of Großarltal.
Living Traditions
A well-loved tradition that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps is that of the “Krampus Run”. The sound of the jangling chains and bells in the distance as the creatures descend on to the streets in the dark of night will be sure to put shivers down your spine. From late November until St. Nicholas Day on 6th December, these scary figures can be witnessed in towns and villages throughout the land. The traditional Krampus Run sees fur-clad figures with ghoul-like masks create an atmosphere of eeriness. A more subdued and contemplative tradition is a visit from the Anglöckner, a group of carollers who go from house to house during the season of Advent offering Christmas cheer and blessings of goodwill for the future.
Advent Shopping
The bustling streets and arcades in the city and the countryside are illuminated and decorated with stars, angels and fairy lights during the Advent season. During the run-up to Christmas take the opportunity to wander through the shops, shopping malls and Christmas markets whilst searching for that special present for a loved one.
“Silent Night”
It was soft tones that sounded in Oberndorf on Christmas Eve of 1818 – only guitar and socially harmonious singing – and yet they became the most famous carol in the world. Today there is hardly anybody who hasn’t heard the melody of “Silent Night”; yet only a few people know where the origins of the simple Christmas carol lie. 7 places in SalzburgerLand invite guests to follow the trail of the two creators of the song, Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr.
