Mountain Christmas: 5 highlights & tips for Advent in Innsbruck

"You can't have too much winter in winter," the American poet Robert Frost once said. And no other city in the world can pack more winter experiences into one winter than Innsbruck, I say. Not every start to winter is equally enchanting, but there's really nothing wrong with this year's start to the Christmas season. Snow-capped mountains, snow-covered roofs and the green Inn River often look like something out of a picture book. While there is still plenty of time for winter sports, Christmas activities are somewhat limited. All the more reason to jump straight into the action!

The big Christmas markets are already in full swing - in the old town and on the market square daily until December 23, in Maria-Theresien-Straße even until December 24, and on the Hungerburg with a view of the Inn Valley you can even enjoy the punch until January 6. The small but very fine market in St. Nikolaus runs until December 31 and the one in Wilten on Wiltener Platzl until December 22. Here you can get a look behind the scenes of the Innsbruck Mountain Christmas and information about all the Christmas markets.
Tip: The tower brass band plays at the Golden Roof every day at 5:30 pm, absolutely worth seeing and always a pleasure to listen to. Even better: watch the tower brass band and the market from the city tower, which is open daily until 8 pm.

But that's not all, there are also small markets and Christmas events. For example, the Art & Design Market, also known as Handliches Gejubel in der Bäckerei on December 9 and 10 from 10 am to 5 pm at Dreiheiligenstraße 21a. In addition to handmade gifts, punch and food from the Feld-Verein, the exhibition "More Than Meets The Eye" will take place, and in the current project of "INKK. DAS INNSBRUCKER KUNST KOLLEKTIV", Special Olympics athletes will be in the spotlight.
Tip: There are also decoration workshops with Papelier!

The Bale winter bazaar takes place on the same weekend from December 9 to 10. There will be various stalls, a children's program, circus entertainment, workshops and live music! There is no obligation to consume and no entrance fee - but you should dress warmly, because the event takes place open-air and partly in a tent in all weathers.

The fairytale alley at Innsbruck's Christmas market has been around for over 25 years. This winter, six new fairytale figures have been added. However, the figures only really come to life when you listen to the accompanying fairy tales. The fairy tales Frog King, Rapunzel, Max & Moritz and Snow White are available online and can be listened to in advance at home or on site via cell phone. They were set to music by AUDIOVERSUM Innsbruck and sound artist Peter Kollreider. The fairytale stage is also an integral part of Märchengasse. Here, the Westbahntheater takes you into the world of the Brothers Grimm twice a day.
Tip: You can find out which fairy tale is being performed when here. The performances take place daily at 16:30 and 17:30 .

LUMAGICA opens its doors in the Hofgarten for the fourth time this year. This year, the "Journey through time" program features an approximately one-kilometre-long circular route with new fascinating light installations that will amaze visitors, encourage them to linger and join in.
Tip: Like last year, LUMAGICA is included free of charge in the Innsbruck Card and the SKI plus CITY Pass. With the Welcome Card there is a 20 percent discount.

I always look forward to these three delicacies at Christmas time:

• Kiachl are available all year round in Tyrol, but often only at festivals and on special holidays. During Advent, you can get them every day at the Christmas market in front of the Golden Roof. Freshly fried, with sauerkraut or cranberries/ribisel, they taste best when eaten on the spot. Pro tip: with the Kiachl in your hand, meander along the right-hand side towards the Christmas tree and climb the small staircase to the upper floor. The view makes it taste even better, I promise!
• Gingerbread! The limited edition made by Konditorei Peintner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Innsbruck Mountain Christmas. The gingerbread is filled with mulled wine, light and airy and heavenly good. You can take a look inside the bakery, where Grandpa Viktor (92) mixes the dough himself, here: Konditorei Peintner: a visit to the gingerbread factory.
• Zillertal doughnuts are also a specialty of Tyrolean cuisine that is not often found on menus. However, at the Christmas market in the old town, directly on Vier-Viecher-Platz, the Weißes Rössl inn has a stall where you can get them fresh. An ideal snack for in between meals!

Here's to a wonderful, bright and (with snow crystals) sparkling Christmas season!