If you’re planning a winter escape to the Tyrol region of Austria, you should consider a visit to the Christmas markets in Innsbruck.

From belly-warming dishes to holiday handcrafts, these marvelous markets are sure to get you in a festive spirit during wintertime in Innsbruck.

Let’s have a look at what you can expect to find at the underrated Innsbruck Christmas markets!

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The first thing to know is that the city of Innsbruck offers more than one Christmas market and they’re all worth visiting! There are three main markets in the old town as well as a handful of under-the-radar gems throughout the city that are also well-worth checking out.

While the Christmas markets in Innsbruck are charming, the award for the most beautiful market in Austria would have to go to Christkindlmarkt in Vienna.

Although Mother Nature can be unpredictable, there’s a chance of seeing snow in Innsbruck in and around Christmas.

Plus, if you’re unlucky in witnessing a snowfall yourself, you can always enjoy the surrounding snow-capped mountains!

In December, Innsbruck is most popular for its Christmas markets (and skiing, of course)!

In addition, you can check out the wonderful light show at LUMAGICA in the Hofgarten.

The biggest of all the Christmas markets in Innsbruck, Alstadt Market is most well-known for its gigantic Christmas tree.

This traditional Christmas market is located next to Innsbruck’s most famous landmark, the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl).

In addition to the standard set up of stalls to browse, you can also enjoy live music by the Amras Tower musicians from one of the towers near the Golden Roof!

The Alstadt Christmas Market is located at Hofgasse 4, 6020 in Innsbruck.

As you continue down Maria-Theresien-Straße from the Old Town Market, you’ll hit the Christmas market of the same name.

Considered to be the most modern of all the markets, Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market is located in the heart of Innsbruck’s busy shopping center.

This market brings the Christmas spirit to life via giant decorative Christmas ornaments.

The primary offering here is handicrafts, from ornaments to special handmade treasures and keepsakes.

This market is especially pretty at night, with its giant decorative ornaments aglow.

Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market is located at Maria-Theresien-Straße, 6020 in Innsbruck.

Set along the beautiful Inn River, Markplatz Christmas Market offers a stunning mountain backdrop and brings the sparkle of the season with its magnificent Swarovski Christmas tree.

In fact, this glittering gem has an excess of 110,000 crystals!

Markplatz is often referred to as the “family market”. By day, it’s an ideal stop for little ones, as it offers everything from a petting zoo, to puppet shows, to a carousel.

In the evenings, the market seems to transform into a lively hot spot for adult beverages, including belly-warming holiday drinks.

Markplatz Christmas Market is located on Markplatz (Market Square) at Innrain 4, 6020 in Innsbruck.

Located across the river from Markplatz in the historic St. Nikolaus district, this intimate little market offers around ten stalls.

St Nikolaus Christmas Market is located at Hans-Brenner-Platz, 6020 in Innsbruck.

Located near Innsbruck’s main train station, the Wilten Christmas Magic Market at Wiltener Platzl is small in size but packs a lot of punch. It offers delicious food, unique crafts, and even mini concerts and puppet shows for little visitors.

Wilten Christmas Magic Market is located at Liebeneggstraße, 6020 in Innsbruck.

If you fancy a ride up a funicular (or are bold enough to do a winter hike), you may enjoy stopping by this “mini market” of Hungerburg. Without a doubt, the main attraction here is the stunning view over Innsbruck.

Although it’s a bit generous to call the Hungerburg location a full-on Christmas market, it does offer a cluster of stalls. You’ll find this “mini market” just outside the Hungerburgbahn train station.

To reach Hungerburg, you’ll take the furnicular from downtown Innsbruck. You can access the Hungerburg furnicular at Aussichtspunkt Kandlerweg 4, 6020 in Innsbruck. Hungerburg is the second stop on the way to the top.

The newest addition to the Christmas markets in Innsbruck, Kaiserweihnacht at Bergisel offers visitors an unrivaled perspective over the city. That’s because this up-and-coming market is actually located along the ski jump atop the town!

Just be aware that Bergisel is only open on the weekends, so you’ll need to plan accordingly if you’d like to make a stop here.

Kaiserweihnacht is located at Bergisel 1, 6020 in Innsbruck.

The Christmas markets in Innsbruck will run from mid-November through early January (depending on location).

The 2026-27 Christmas market season dates are as follows:

• Old Town Christmas Market: (November 13 – December 23, 2026 from 11AM to 9PM daily)
• Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market: (November 25, 2026 – January 6, 2027 from 11AM to 9PM daily)
• Markplatz Christmas Market: (November 13 – December 23, 2026 from 11AM to 9PM daily)
• St. Nikolaus Christmas Market: (November 20 – December 23, 2026 from 4PM to 9PM daily)
• Wilten Christmas Magic Market at Wiltener Platzl: (November 20 – December 23, 2026 from 4PM to 8PM daily)
• Panorama Market on the Hungerburg**: (November 20, 2026 – January 6, 2027)
• Christmas Market on Bergisel Hill***: (November 13 – December 20, 2026 Friday through Sunday)

**Panorama Market on the Hungerburg operates with varying hours during the holiday season. Please reference the precise operating hours here. 

***Christmas Market on Bergisel Hill will run on Fridays from 2PM to 8PM and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM to 8PM).

Tyrolean food is known to be hearty and belly-warming – both of which are perfect for a winter visit to Innsbruck!

Here are some popular Tyrolean specialties to enjoy at the Innsbruck Christmas markets:

• Bratwurst
• Glühwein (mulled wine)
• Krapfen (doughnut filled with jam or custard)
• Bratkartoffeln (German pan-fried potatoes)
• Kaiserschmarn (sweetened pancake)
• Kaspressknödel (Austrian cheese dumplings)
• Käsespätzle (Tyrolean spaetzle)
• Kirchtagskrapfen (pastry with various fillings)

• Come prepared with cash – The Innsbruck Christmas markets feature a majority of cash-only stalls, so be sure to have money on you to pay for food, crafts, etc..
• Expect to pay a deposit for mugs with warm beverages – Typical of most Christmas markets in Europe, you should expect to put down a small deposit (three to five euros) for any warm drinks in a mug. You’ll get your deposit back once you return your mug – or you can relinquish your deposit for the novelty of a mug souvenir to bring back home!
• Climb aboard the Christkindlbahn – If you’re visiting the Christmas markets in Innsbruck between late November until a few days before Christmas, you may just have a chance to ride the Christkindlbahn. This vintage Christmas tram is a hit with locals and tourists alike, transporting visitors through the city of Innsbruck free of charge! (In 2024, it ran from November 29 – December 21)
• Expect most markets to end post-Christmas – Most markets in Innsbruck will close after Christmas, so plan your trip accordingly. However, if you’re looking to visit the city closer to the new year, the Maria-Theresien-Straße market tends to stay open until the first week of January. By the way, if you’re in Austria in January, don’t miss an excursion to Hallstatt in winter, too – this Austrian village is absolutely magical during cozy season!

Innsbruck is an easy destination to reach, regardless of where you’re coming from and your mode of transport.

For one, it offers its own international airport, Innsbruck Airport (INN), the largest international airport in Tyrol.

Innsbruck is also easy to reach via its main train station, Innsbruck HBF, from other European cities. We traveled to Innsbruck from Bern, Switzerland and purchased our tickets via ÖBB.

Unless you’re visiting Innsbruck as part of a larger road trip, I personally don’t think it’s necessary to have a car while in the city. Innsbruck is super pedestrian-friendly and offers a convenient bus system as well.

In terms of where to stay, I recommend either booking your accommodations directly in the old town or just across the river in the Hötting neighborhood if you’re planning to visit the Innsbruck Christmas markets.

We loved our stay at the Riedz Apartments Innsbruck in Hötting.

These modern apartments are equipped with full kitchens and even offer heated floors in the bathroom. Trust me, you’ll appreciate this small luxury in the winter!

Plus, as a parent traveling with toddler winter gear, I loved having easy access to a washer and dryer in the basement (which you can use for two euros per load).

In terms of proximity to the markets, the apartments are under a 10-minute bus ride away on the J bus. Plus, the apartment owners will provide you with an Innsbruck Welcome Card upon arrival which grants you free access to the bus.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer a hotel stay and/or an accommodation directly in the old town, you can search for other properties below.

I suggest booking your accommodation as soon as possible, as Innsbruck is an extremely popular destination in the winter between skiing, Christmas markets, etc..

I hope this introduction to the Christmas markets in Innsbruck has sparked your curiosity!

What questions do you have for me about visiting Innsbruck at Christmastime? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking to explore Austria beyond the Christmas markets? Check out my other guides:

• Innsbruck in Winter: Essential Guide to Cozy Season
• Innsbruck vs Hallstatt: Which Austrian Destination Should You Visit?
• Hallstatt in Winter: Essential Guide to Cozy Season in Austria’s Most Magical Village
• 10 Dreamy Hallstatt Hotels with Lake Views (Including Cozy B&Bs & Guesthouses)
• Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Love this Dreamy Austrian Village (Or Not)