Austria is a wonderful winter destination to spend the holidays at with its gorgeous villages, historical towns, and snow-covered roofs and treetops. The European country is one of the best Christmas destinations in the world! In each of its mesmerizing towns and villages, visitors enjoy cheery romantic Christmas lights, festive carols, decorations, and delicious holiday delicacies.

Christmas in Austria is a memorable event definitely not to be missed out! Tourists will experience the beautiful holiday spirit. Here are 10 festive ways to celebrate Christmas in Austria!

10 Search For Shiny Christmas Lights

The breathtaking street decorations are one of the highlights of visiting Vienna during the holidays. Every year, the city of Vienna has a specific image to uphold a stunning light show that fills the city with crystal chains and central European understatement, along with hundreds of LEDs for impact. The outcome is quite lovely.

Tourists can take a stroll while surrounded by enormous chandeliers or glistening cascades of light. Before proceeding to Stephenplatz, they can take a stroll up Kärntner Strass to view its dangling light chains.

They can also visit Graben, then continue to Kohlmarkt under a sea of white shining lights and reach Michaelerplatz where a small holiday market is held.

9 Observe The Bethlehem Peace Light

The Peace Light of Bethlehem, also known as The Flame of Bethlehem, is a charitable initiative that was first launched in Austria in 1987. Each year, an Austrian youngster visits Bethlehem carrying along an oil lamp to light from a lantern in the Birth Grotto.

Back in Austria, the light spread throughout the nation and the entire world. It serves as a mindful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas as well as an embodiment of the most important goal which is to achieve world peace.

Visitors can view the peace light at the mid-December Peace Light Ceremony or later at any church in Vienna.

8 Stop By Maronistands And Try Roasted And Caramelized Nuts

Maronistands across Austria open at the beginning of November. Maroni is a sweet chestnut roasted in its shell and is offered at the stalls for just a few Euros. People frequently line up for roasted macaroni after work because it is a beloved winter treat among both locals and tourists.

Additionally, the stands serve warm Austrian candied nuts, that have been dusted with a candied mixture of vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon. They smell as delicious as they taste.

Maronistands can be seen spread over the city's downtown area and at the Christmas markets.

Related: Get In The Holiday Spirit With These European Christmas Markets

7 Taste Christmas In Your Mouth By Drinking Weihnachtspunsch

Christmas markets frequently feature Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch). Its exact contents are a bit mysterious, but it tastes like a delicious warm mixture of tea, sugar, spices, and spirits.

There is also a non-alcoholic version called Kinderpunsch if one prefers non-alcoholic beverages.

When one purchases the punch, a deposit is paid for the mug in which the punch is served. However, visitors can keep the mug as a souvenir.

6 Let The Delicious Christmas Cookies Crumble In Your Mouth

Christmas sweets begin to appear in Austrian supermarkets, bakeries, and cafés as early as October. Christmas cookies come in a wide variety, with some areas even having their distinctive local treat.

Eating Linzer sweets is one of the best Christmastime pleasures in Vienna. Although they are widely available for purchase, baking these cookies is also part of the Austrian tradition.

  • Some varieties of sweets: Coconut macaroon, vanilla crescents, ox-eye cookies, cinnamon star, Linz crescents, and almond balls.

Related: 9 Austrian Bakeries That Are Worth Your Sweet Tooth

5 Drink The Mouthwatering Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is another popular Christmas beverage in Vienna. All of the Christmas markets serve it, and many people also prepare it at home.

The warm spiced beverage is made by heating sugar, star anise, cardamom, cloves, and citrus and adding them to red wine. Glühwein normally has less alcohol than Christmas punch, and some stands also offer a non-alcoholic version.

Tourists should try it on cold winter nights because it is perfect to warm their spirits!

4 Visit The Marvelous Christmas Markets

Every Austrian town or city has at least one Christmas market, and Vienna has most of them. The capital features more than 20! The most well-known ones are found at Schönbrunn Palace, in the Spittelberg neighborhood, and in front of The Town Hall.

But it is also worthwhile to consider visiting other cities' markets! Christmas markets are all over Austria, so visitors shouldn't worry because while visiting lakes or mountains there will be a market to stroll through.

3 Run! Run Away From The Christmas Krampus

The Austrian Christmas custom involves a terrifying beast called Krampus. Krampus is a goat-like beast with brown or black hair, and cloven hooves and horns. It has fangs and a long, pointed tongue that hangs out.

It is Saint Nicholas's wicked twin and frightens, punishes, and follows naughty kids. During December, Krampusnacht, also known as "Krampus night," is observed by numerous young men who walk or run through the streets of their cities while wearing Krampus costumes.

Tyrol is home to some of the most thrilling Krampus runs, including those in Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Hallstatt.

2 Enjoy The Vienna Boys' Choir Performance

Vienna the capital of music, especially in classical music is well known for its three major musical institutions: the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and Vienna Boys Choir.

The Vienna Boys' Choir is a well-known children's choir from Austria with a six-century history in the nation and performances all over the world. It is made up of about 100 singers ranging in age from nine to fourteen.

The choirs perform a special holiday performance in the lead-up to Christmas, including Austrian folk melodies, classical music, Christmas carols, and advent hymns. Tourists can enjoy the heavenly vocals and allow the Christmas spirit to wash over them.

1 Listen To A Strauss And Mozart Christmas Performance

The traditional "Strauss And Mozart" concerts are a part of Austria's celebrations of Christmas. All around the nation, orchestras and artists perform the timeless compositions of Austrian composers Johann Baptist Strauss II and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at concerts during November and December.

The Kursalon Vienna, a stunning Renaissance music venue in the Stadtpark, is among the best locations in Vienna to enjoy this Christmas experience.