Christmas & New Year’s Eve 2025 in Innsbruck
The first snowflakes have long since fallen, and winter has arrived in the mountains surrounding Innsbruck. Perfect conditions for a day of skiing or a winter hike. The atmosphere in the city is especially magical this year – ideal for visiting the Christmas markets or browsing through the invitingly decorated shops in the old town.
Christmas Markets
The scent of roasted almonds and cinnamon drifts through the streets, spreading Christmas cheer. Have you ever tried Kiachln, baked potatoes, or cheese Spätzle?
The Christmas market in Innsbruck doesn’t take place in just one location – in fact, there are seven different markets spread across the city, each with its own character. Our tip: Take your time and stroll from market to market to experience the full variety.
Lumagica
The Innsbruck Imperial Garden transforms into a dreamlike wonderland: Lumagica takes young and old alike into a magical world. Music, video projections, and hundreds of artistic light installations make the walk a multi-sensory experience. A truly enchanting stroll.
New Year’s Eve in the Mountains
The historic Old Town, the picturesque row of houses along the River Inn, and the imposing mountain backdrop create the perfect stage for Innsbruck’s New Year’s celebrations. Children can also enjoy the popular “Zwergerlsilvester” (Little Ones’ New Year’s Eve).
Highlights:
- Between Christmas and New Year, the houses of Mariahilf, the Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, and the Town Hall become part of a fascinating world of images and sounds thanks to 3D facade mapping.
- At midnight on December 31, a spectacular firework display over the Seegrube lights up the night sky to welcome the new year. Music and the traditional Danube Waltz are, of course, part of the celebration.
Christmas Traditions in Innsbruck
The Advent and Christmas season in Tyrol is rich in customs and deeply rooted traditions. Between St. Nicholas Day and New Year’s, visitors in Innsbruck experience eerie-yet-beautiful Krampus runs, festive music, romantic Christmas markets, and an impressive New Year’s celebration against the backdrop of the Nordkette mountains.
Advent starts with excitement: During the traditional Krampus parades, “Krampuses” or “Perchten” wearing frightening masks, fur, and bells roam the streets to drive away evil spirits, as tradition dictates. On December 6, St. Nicholas visits the children, bringing small gifts or sweets and brightening their eyes with joy.
On the afternoon of December 24, Innsbruck falls into festive quiet. Shops and museums close by midday. For culture enthusiasts, there’s a special offer: the Court Church, the Folk Art Museum, and the Tirol Panorama open their doors free of charge. A stroll through the Christmas market on Maria-Theresien-Straße – open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – is the perfect way to soak up the unique Christmas atmosphere. By the way: In Tyrol, the traditional Christmas gift-giving takes place on Christmas Eve – presents are exchanged during the festive Bescherung and unwrapped beneath the decorated Christmas tree. Many locals and visitors end the evening by attending a midnight Christmas Mass.
These days in Tyrol are usually reserved for family. While shops remain closed, most museums reopen from December 26 onward.
For those who want to spend the holidays actively and diversely, there are plenty of options: ride the Nordkettenbahnen up the mountain, be enchanted at Swarovski Crystal Worlds, enjoy a magical walk through the Lumagica light park, or discover the animals at the Alpine Zoo. The Christmas market on Maria-Theresien-Straße is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. – the ideal place to savor Tyrol’s unique holiday spirit.
At the year’s end, Innsbruck turns into a festive stage. A special highlight is the 3D facade mapping, which transforms various buildings into fascinating light art, followed by the grand firework display above the Nordkette. Shops and museums close at midday so the city can prepare for the celebrations. New Year’s Eve in Innsbruck is an unforgettable experience – with music, dancing, and a glittering night sky above the mountains.
The new year begins in Tyrol with tradition: lucky charms in the form of little pigs, chimney sweeps, or four-leaf clovers are given as gifts to wish health and happiness for the coming months. Those who wish can start the year actively with a winter hike or skiing, enjoy a stroll through the Old Town, or wander around the Christmas market, which remains open until January 6.
Culinary Tips Around the Holidays
Start your day at Hotel Mondschein with a delicious breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner, Innsbruck offers a wide variety of restaurants for culinary experiences. Around the holidays, however, there are some special considerations we’d like to point out:
Many restaurants in Innsbruck have limited opening hours during the holidays. On the evening of December 24 and on December 25, only a few restaurants are open – advance reservations are therefore highly recommended.
On December 31, however, there is a wide choice. Many restaurants offer exclusive multi-course menus with a fixed start time – the perfect opportunity to celebrate the new year in style.
For a more relaxed option, the Christmas market offers a wide variety of typical Tyrolean specialties: from Kiachl and hearty Spätzle to baked potatoes.
Winter sports
In Innsbruck, it’s easy to combine a visit to the Christmas market with winter sports. The surrounding mountains are close by, offering everything from ice skating to winter hiking:
Hotel Bar
Our cozy hotel bar is open daily – including all Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve. The perfect spot to warm up after a city stroll, enjoy a relaxed conversation, or round off the day in style. Alongside a fine selection of drinks, we also serve freshly prepared toast.