On the best way: By train to an atmospheric end to the year in the Innsbruck region

Updated on 13.12.2022

If you are looking for some time out and special moments during the (pre-)Christmas period and around the turn of the year, the Innsbruck region is just the place for you. Easy and quick to reach by train, the Tyrolean capital and its surroundings offer all kinds of delights for the most beautiful time of the year: the streets are bathed in festive light, the Christmas markets entice visitors with their seductive scents, the magical LUMAGICA Innsbruck light park impresses with its light sculptures and the traditional Innsbruck Mountain New Year's Eve surprises with fascinating images on historic buildings.

This winter, the Tyrolean capital - and its wide range of offers from unique city experiences to alpine adventures - is even easier to reach by public transport than before. In addition to the tried and tested connections of the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB, Innsbruck has also been served by the WESTbahn since 11 December, which operates the Vienna-Innsbruck route three times a day. So if you want to travel to the Innsbruck region in an environmentally friendly, uncomplicated and relaxed way and discover Tyrol's biggest Christmas wonderland, travelling by train is the best way to do it. But there is not only a lot to experience in Innsbruck in the run-up to Christmas, there is also a lot on offer around the turn of the year. So 2023 may well come.

Innsbruck Mountain Christmas: enjoy art and culinary delights in a contemplative atmosphere

Bergweihnacht Innsbruck is the largest "Christmas wonderland" in the country: Seven Christmas markets invite you to stroll, marvel and enjoy. The oldest market is located in the historic city centre, directly in front of the Golden Roof. The location on the market square is known for its family programme, while the panoramic Christmas market on the Hungerburg offers the most beautiful views over the wintry city. In Maria-Theresien-Straße, Innsbruck's central shopping street, you can also discover unique things on offer from the stallholders as you stroll through the Christmas market. The market in the St. Nikolaus district and the "Christmas magic" in Wilten, which lies at the foot of the historic Bergisel, are small and particularly tranquil. This special place with the imposing Bergisel ski jump offers an atmospheric market with the "Kaiserweihnacht", which focusses on the original. Most Christmas markets are open until (just before) Christmas, while those on Maria-Theresien-Straße and Hungerburg Castle remain open until 6 January 2023.

Bergsilvester Innsbruck: a glamorous turn of the year in the heart of the city

The turn of the year will once again be celebrated in Innsbruck this year with the traditional Bergsilvester, which includes several exciting programme items for the whole family. From 29 to 31 December 2022 - and again from 1 to 6 January 2023 - the facades of five well-known buildings in the Tyrolean capital will be transformed into the backdrop for a fantastic 3D facade mapping. This will feature fascinating worlds of images and sounds, including playful ornaments and impressive animals from the Alpine region projected onto the building façades. On 30 December, young guests can get in the mood for New Year's Eve at the colourful children's New Year's Eve in the Old Town with creative play and craft stations, a Punch and Judy show and a hands-on circus with real acrobats. And on 31 December, the end of the year is celebrated with a New Year's Eve run through the city centre, live music in front of the Hofburg and an impressive firework display on the Seegrube. If you want to party afterwards, you can do so at the New Year's Eve clubbing in the Dogana, the largest hall at Congress Innsbruck.

LUMAGICA Innsbruck: on an illuminating journey through the magical park of lights

A literal highlight can be found in Innsbruck's Hofgarten, where the magical LUMAGICA light park with its impressive light sculptures takes visitors on a journey around the world. Visitors become passengers, a Tyrolean marmot invites them into its balloon and takes them on its journey. On the 1.5 kilometre long tour through the wintry natural scenery of the Hofgarten, all continents are thematically touched upon. The colourful and interactive light installations can be seen until 29 January 2023.

Tip: a trip to the winter wonderland of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds

Another magical experience awaits not far from the Tyrolean capital: the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. Inside the iconic giant, the Chambers of Wonder will delight you with unique crystal installations such as the "Silent Light" crystal tree by Dutch designer Tord Boontje. Those who long for light in the early twilight hours can immerse themselves in an atmospheric light experience in the latest chamber of wonders, "Umbra" by light artist James Turrell. Glamorous Hollywood costumes inspire glamorous styling for New Year's Eve in "The Art of Performance". Between 26 December 2022 and 8 January 2023, there will also be a varied programme aimed primarily at creative types and art enthusiasts: For example, visitors can try their hand at designing works of art themselves in the crystal studio.

Innsbruck Card: flexible travelling on site too

The best companion for a winter visit to Innsbruck - apart from partners, family and friends, of course - is the Innsbruck Card. It gives you flexibility when travelling around the city, as it includes free use of public transport operated by Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe (IVB), the Sightseer hop-on hop-off bus and the Swarovski Kristallwellten shuttle. It also includes admission to LUMAGICA Innsbruck, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds and numerous other city experiences. Last but not least, selected mountain lifts in the region are also included, including the Innsbruck Nordkettenbahnen. These take visitors to alpine terrain in just a few minutes and offer breathtaking views of the glowing city and the surrounding mountain panorama. Whether you have one, two or three days at your disposal, with the Innsbruck Card you can fully enjoy your stay in the Tyrolean capital. And if you travel sustainably with ÖBB or the WESTbahn, you will be rewarded with a ten per cent discount on the Innsbruck Card.

About Innsbruck Tourismus

Innsbruck Tourismus is the official destination management organisation of the Innsbruck region, which stretches from the Tyrolean capital to 40 towns and villages in the surrounding area - from the Inntal valley to the Mieminger Plateau via Kühtai to the Sellraintal valley. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays per year (as of 2019), the Innsbruck region is one of the largest tourism institutions in Austria and is a unique symbiosis of vibrant urban space and fascinating Alpine mountains. Diverse city flair and sightseeing are just a breath away from the next cycling or hiking tour, the next skiing or winter hiking experience. The free Welcome Card guest card is the key to the region's boundless diversity: with free use of public transport, numerous highlights can be experienced sustainably and conveniently up and down the mountain. For the approximately 90 employees, the guest is at the centre of their thoughts and actions. Through their enthusiasm for the alpine-urban area, they convey to their guests what their own hearts beat for and thus create unforgettable holiday experiences in harmony with people and nature time and time again. With a total of 12 tourism information centres, Innsbruck Tourism is close to its guests, right in the middle of the action and with its finger on the pulse - a hub for authentic stories and personal impressions of local characters, which can be found on the popular blog and social channels under #myinnsbruck.