help in deciding to spend Christmas or New Years in Vienna?

Hard desicion! In Vienna you can find the most beautiful christmas markets and the famous new years path. I'm not a Prague expert but as it is my hometown i can recommend it without any doubts!

Thank you Aurelian, my understanding is Prague may have more attractions open on Christmas and Vienna has many choices and their Christmas markets will still be open?

I know Vienna seems a little more reserved but I think there are still
a lot of activities that don't require dressing up, etc.

Ive been to Prague twice over the years, a few times more to Vienna including once over the Christmas holidays. But all trips to both were short. But based on the above quote alone, Prague for NYE and Vienna for Christmas.

Thank you Mr E but many have said that most of Vienna is closed over Christmas and Prague is not, that is why I was leaning toward Vienna for New Years :)

It wasn't my perception that Vienna had more closed than any other Central European city but I will defer to the experts. Christmas day you will find me in a bath house.

Here is some assistance:
https://www.visitingvienna.com/sights/christmas-opening-hours/

Thank you so much for the Link, Mr E
I hope you enjoy you your holidays!

Most of the Christmas markets close in the afternoon of Dec. 24, but some remain open until New Year's. Shops and sights will close early on Dec. 24 and will remain closed on Dec. 25. Shops will remain closed on Dec. 26. But if you can be in Vienna leading up to the 24th, then there is no better city for Christmas.

Emily, I found that link I posted above that indicated that a lot of the museums did not close for the holiday. But the article was a bit vague and it was "sponsored". Then a post popped up here that talked about the Belvedere and it included a link to tickets. So just for grins I went and checked. Yes, actually open 24, 25, 26. If someone had any interest in museums, history or art and if some of the others are like the Belvedere, then there would be absolutely no problem staying busy in Vienna for 24, 25 and 26. I am not sure as many museums stay open here in Budapest; but we have the bathhouses and the skating rink in the park and the Corso and various restaurants and wine bars so I am content.

Yes, Mr. E, you are right. Some museums and attractions are open 365 days a year. It is best to check the websites of the places you want to visit to be certain.

It is best to check the websites of the places you want to visit to be certain.

Follow Emily's advice and check opening times for every museum separately. E.g., the Belvedere is open on December 24, but with a reduced number of time slots and an earlier closing time.

Emily, you know why I looked that up ... "Thank you Aurelian, my understanding is Prague may have more attractions open on Christmas". Anything is possible, so maybe its correct, but when you begin with a city that significantly more options for tourists (Vienna) it would be surprising to find more to do in Prague. Just sounded like "Internet conventional wisdom" and that is worth the time to bust. If one does just a little looking there are often websites devoted to things to do over holidays in major tourist cities like Vienna. But yes, you do have to plan it a little more carefully.

Yes I agree you have to check specific site to get more accurate information for each city, I'm trying to remember which site I saw a post that said Prague's palace was open on Christmas Day, it was either here or Tripadvisor. I'll have to check back but thank you for all the information :)
I'm also leaning towards Vienna for New Years because the other couple is leaving right after New Years and my. husband & I are staying on for a few more days and I want to get down to Bratislava since it so close for a day or two :)