Best place for Christmas in Austria - Salzburg or Vienna?

The best time to see the Christmas markets is during the weeks before Christmas, which is a family event in Austria. On December 24 shops will close early, not all restaurants are open. December 25 and 26 are public holidays, where nearly everything is closed.

We LOVE both of those towns for the Xmas Markets - but you really need to check the dates for the markets as most of them close 12/22, 12/23 for the vendors to get back home to their families. Some do stay open, but the best ones close. Some are also closed 12/24, 12/25 and reopen. Dec 26 is a holiday and not much will be open. Again - we have found the best ones are done by 12/23. I'd base my decision on the town that still has some open and I'd bet it will be Vienna, plus- I think Vienna will be easier to fly home from. Book hotels ASAP as they fill fast. We go over every other year for the markets - you will love them. Vienna has MANY markets -

Have you thought of doing the markets 1st, while they are in full swing, then going to Switzerland and fly home from Switzerland/Zurich? That way you get to experience the markets before the vendors go home. Our fav time to be there is about Dec 7-18 or so.

ChinaLake67 had a good suggestion, that is to do it in the other direction. 24, 25, 26 might be more agreeable to looking at the mountains than activities in a city.

But that having been said, I seemed to remember from previous posts that quite a few markets in Vienna are open 24 (but close early), 25 and 26 December then run to the end of the years, so that’s good. I did a quick google and yup, true. A quick google of the big market in Salzburg says it’s open too.

Given that on those dates more things will be closed maybe Vienna will make more sense because of scale. There are more things to choose from on those dates. But you will need to research for meals and book early.

Since you have done both Salzburg and Vienna in the past, you also might want to look for something new.

Maybe it helps to look at the official list of Christmas markets by the the City of Vienna from 2025, sorted by city borough ("Bezirk"), giving the addresses and opening days and times. It is in German, but understandable easily.
https://www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/weihnachtsmaerkte

This is a very comprehensive resource of information about Vienna's Christmas markets if you read it completely:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/vienna-christmas-markets-2025-a-local-s-take

And this is quite excellent: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/vienna-christmas-markets-2025-a-local-s-take

MSalzburg market is open to 1st jan January also the small market close to Mirabelle is the same. They close at 3.0pm on the 24th and are open again 25th closing at 6.0pm. Same on 26th After that back to normal hours.
Hellbrun market closes before Christmas

gsindiansprings, let us know what you decide. I am in the Vienna camp given you are neglecting the best choice. Also, check out some of the smaller cities, maybe Graz?

Thank you all for great information and resources. While Christmas markets are an interest, they are not the only focus. We seek both a mountain village (trying snowshoeing, sledding, schnapps by the fire, etc ) and city experience (Christmas markets, lots of music, historic sites, cafes, etc). There will be three of us in our 70’s, my brother and I lived abroad 7 years growing up, and my husband and I have often talked of spending a Christmas in Austria. I spent a memorable New Years holiday my senior year in high school with my parents and another family in Switzerland. Will let you know what we plan. Hopefully, the EES quagmire will improve by then.

Christmas for me is maybe 2 nights of markets, 2 nights of music, 2 nights of theater and 2 nights of bath houses. With some wine events thrown in.

We are postponing Christmas in Switzerland Austria until 2027 but appreciate the informative replies and great resourcess. They will be very helpful especially now that we have more time to plan.