Mountain Christmas in East Tyrol

Updated 18.11.2022

Advent in the mountains of East Tyrol: Images of snow-covered forests and meadows, of illuminated mountain villages with their traditional rituals and customs immediately come to mind. All the senses are stimulated when the scent of freshly baked biscuits emanates from the houses or Advent tunes resound from many a village square. All those who want to get in the mood for the most beautiful time of the year without the hustle and bustle will find what they are looking for in East Tyrol. The small Christmas markets, which have established themselves as atmospheric meeting places in recent years, especially in Alta Pusteria, make not only children's eyes sparkle. We present the most beautiful markets below:

From 25 November, romantic fairy lights, open fireplaces and countless small huts and food stalls will transform the main square in Lienz into a fairytale winter village. A special feature is the town hall, whose windows will be transformed into an Advent calendar from 1 December. Every day at 6.30 p.m. a door is opened to reveal a painting by a regional artist. In the evening, the local night watchman closes the contemplative Christmas market in the traditional way with his halberd, lantern and traditional night call.

The Christmas market at the "Punbrugge", a historic wooden bridge from the 18th century, opens its doors on 26 November. Situated directly at the foot of Heinfels Castle, the market thrives on traditional crafts and delicacies from the region. Under the motto "Good things from yesterday and today - art, cuisine and culture", elaborately designed wooden huts decorated with torches and lights bathe the square in front of the historic "Punbrugge" in medieval flair. Culinary delicacies such as sauerkraut, Gerstl soup in bread dough, Strauben, chestnuts and drinks from the "Burgschenke" provide for the physical well-being.

The wildly romantic "Villgrater Bergweihnacht" (Villgrat Mountain Christmas) has been delighting guests and locals alike for years with its traditional "Christkind aufwecken" (waking up the Christ Child). Regional delicacies are available from the local farms in Innervillgraten, brass bands play Christmas tunes and guided tours along the craftsmen's path take visitors directly to homemade Christmas gifts. Tip: Handmade wool products from Villgrater Natur. Things get wild on 4 December with a visit to St. Nicholas and Krampus at the Gannerhof, the traditional farm run by gourmet chef Josef Mühlmann.

In the mountain village of Anras, directly on the Pustertaler Höhenstraße, invitations are extended to the traditional Mountain Advent. Musical performances by choirs and local music groups create a Christmas atmosphere, and carnies let you look over their shoulders. Visitors are amazed not only by the blacksmith and the coin mint, but also by the talented craftsmen who show their skills in wood or ice carving, felting, pottery, basket weaving and nativity scene painting.

On the community square in front of the cultural hall, the people of the market town get in the mood for Christmas with creative, self-made works, local delicacies and a culturally and musically sophisticated supporting programme. In Sillian in the Pustertal valley, special emphasis is placed on the social character of the event. Humanitarian institutions such as Lebenshilfe Sillian, "pro mente" or the "geschützte Werkstätte" with products made of wood, ceramics and textiles complement the colourful offer.

In a historical setting, the local music band and the museum association invite visitors to Heinfels Castle for atmospheric pre-Christmas days. The castle was extensively restored over a period of four years and has been open to the public again since 2020. Guided tours give visitors an insight into the history of the castle and the customs of the region. Of course, culinary delights are also prominently represented with numerous "Genuss-Standln".

The mountaineering village of Kartitsch also presents itself traditionally and contemplatively after Christmas, showing how the "special time" used to be. On 28 December, Christmas is celebrated once again with glassblowers, fortune smiths, aroma workshops and stalls selling jam, cheese, felt and wool products. A colourful children's programme delights the hearts of the little ones. Visitors can warm up with East Tyrolean specialities such as barley soup, "Bauernkrainer" or Kartitscher tents and let the sounds of the choirs and orchestral wind instruments fill the air.

At the Epiphany Market on Johannesplatz, you can experience atmospheric holiday flair in the old town on one of the most beautiful squares in Lienz. Stalls with regional delicacies, handicrafts and original products from East Tyrol make the Epiphany Market a convivial meeting place in the Dolomite town over the holidays.

More information: advent.osttirol.com