Christmas Time in Austria
Austria Loves Advent, Christmas Markets, and Biscuits

The Advent season of the Latin Church lasts 22 to 28 days and always includes four Sundays.

Advent means "arrival," referring to the birth of Christ. This special time has given rise to many customs in Austria, some from non-Christian traditions.

Typical Advent activities include baking Christmas cookies, enjoying the Advent calendar, spending time with family or making music, meeting friends at Christmas markets, crafting Christmas decorations, and tying Advent wreaths.

Christmas is a quintessential family celebration where multiple generations come together to spend Christmas Eve. It is seen as a time for love and reflection.

Families typically gather around a decorated Christmas tree, adorned with candles and surrounded by gifts. Over the years, each family has developed its own unique rituals for the evening. However, the traditional Christmas carol "Silent Night, Holy Night" is almost always present.

The Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839 and gradually became a popular symbol of Christmas in Austria as well.

The wreath, featuring four candles, serves as a calendar. Each Sunday in Advent, a new candle is lit to indicate how long remains until Christmas Eve.

Since the 19th century, the Advent calendar has played an important role in Christian tradition. Like the Advent wreath, it acts as a countdown to Christmas. The first "door" is opened on December 1.

The first Advent calendar is believed to have been created in 1851, with the first printed version appearing in 1902. Today, homemade models are very popular, and there are virtually no limits to the creativity in their design.

For many people in Austria, a Christmas tree adorned with baubles, decorations, sweets, and candles is the focal point of Christmas Eve. Beneath the shining tree lie the presents, ceremoniously exchanged.

The Christmas tree originally has its roots in pagan customs, symbolizing fertility and vitality. The Catholic Church long rejected this non-religious tradition, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that Christmas trees were allowed in Catholic churches.

The first documented Christmas tree in Vienna was set up by socialite Fanny von Arnstein in 1814 and was quickly adopted by middle-class families in the city. In the 19th century, fir and spruce forests were reforested to meet the growing demand.

Today, as part of a sustainable lifestyle, more families are opting for "living Christmas trees," which are planted in pots and used year after year.