What are Christmas markets like in Austria? I had recently found out that Christmas markets are a big deal in Germany and Austria. They are popular in Switzerland and Liechtenstein too. The German word for “Christmas market” is Weihnachtsmarkt. A Christmas market is basically a Christmas-themed market where people can go to buy sweets, drinks, and crafts. They are only in operation for about a month each year, typically from late November until the 23rd or 24th of December. I was intrigued to see one for myself. This year I attended a Christmas market in Austria for the first time.
My two goals were to visit a Christmas market and to buy some roasted chestnuts. I try not to buy much, but I kind of wanted to buy something at a Weihnachtsmarkt in order to get the full experience, and I had enjoyed eating roasted chestnuts in Austria before, so I figured that would be a good thing to get. I associate chestnuts with Christmas because of a Christmas song, and I can eat them so they wouldn’t be permanently taking up space in my apartment. So I had goals, now to find out where one of these markets was.
Using Google Maps and an internet search, I found out that there are actually several Christmas markets in Graz, though perhaps the main one is at a place named Hauptplatz, which is a popular square in Graz next to a large government building called the Grazer Rathaus. The Grazer Rathaus serves as Graz’s city hall. Hauptplatz is along the tram line that is nearest me, so between that convenience and its Weihnachtsmarkt likely being the main Christmas market in Graz, I bought a 1-hour bus & tram ticket and headed over there.
I made it to the Hauptplatz Christmas market and took a look around. I saw a big Christmas tree, quite a crowd, and the Rathaus with Christmas-themed projections on it. I took the pictures shown below.
I made at least two laps through the market, checking out what was for sale and looking for roasted chestnuts. I had brought cash with me because I figured many of the vendors would be cash-only. About half of the vendors were mainly selling drinks, with a drink called Glühwein being especially common. Glühwein is basically wine with some spices and fruit in it. Red wine, orange slices, and cinnamon are typical ingredients. I have not tried Glühwein, but I would like to someday. I decided to not get a drink while I was there because I only intended to be there a short time, drinks cost money, and I was there by myself, not drinking with others. Although, one drink vendor that caught my eye was the Austrian Red Cross. I normally see them driving ambulances in Graz, because here the Red Cross members are the paramedics. Maybe they were raising money for a cause. Most, if not all, of the vendors who weren’t focused on drinks were selling either crafts, decorations, or sweets. Surprisingly, I did not find anyone selling roasted chestnuts. So, I decided to get something else.
I found a vendor selling candied nuts, with an example being cinnamon-sugar almonds, just like those you can find in America. He mostly sold various flavors of roasted almonds, though he also sold pumpkin seeds and pistachios. The pistachios interested me. I like pistachios, these already had the shells removed, and I was curious how they would taste both cooked and with cinnamon-sugar. I bought 100 grams of the pistachios and headed back to the tram stop.
I made it back to the tram stop with a little over ten minutes to spare in regards to my ticket. I got home okay.
Peanut was happy to see me. I took him outside for a bit and then prepared dinner. I had some of the pistachios for dessert.
The Christmas market was a nice experience. I’m glad I went. Next year I’ll try to go with some company and maybe I’ll drink Glühwein.