Villach Christmas Market

The Villach Christmas market, the Villacher Advent, takes over the old town from 13 November to 31 December 2026, with an official opening on 13 November at 6pm. The city’s Stadtmarketing spreads Advent across four squares: the market chalets around the St. Jakob church, food and drink on the Hauptplatz, the art market on the Nikolaiplatz and the ice rink on the Rathausplatz. After dark, the church tower turns into a giant candle.

Villach Christmas market 2026: dates and opening hours

Each square has its own timetable. The Marktadvent, around the St. Jakob church, opens Monday to Thursday from 12 noon to 7pm and Friday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm, from 13 November to 31 December 2026, and from 10am to 8pm on 7 and 23 December. On 24 December, it closes at 4pm. On 31 December, it stays open until 10pm.

The Hüttenadvent on the Hauptplatz, given over to food and drink, runs later: Monday to Thursday from 1pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 11pm, Sunday from 12 noon to 9pm. On 7 and 23 December, it follows the Saturday timetable, from 10am to 11pm. It closes at 4pm on 24 December and stays open until 2am on the night of 31 December.

The Kunstadvent on the Nikolaiplatz only opens four days a week: Thursday and Friday from 3pm to 8pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10am to 8pm, as well as 7, 21, 22 and 23 December from 10am to 8pm. It closes on 24 December, after a final day from 10am to 2pm. The ice rink on the Rathausplatz stays in place long after the market, until 28 February 2027.

Four squares in Villach’s old town

The heart of the market stands on the Oberer Kirchenplatz, around the Stadthauptpfarrkirche St. Jakob, and in the 10.-Oktober-Straße. The Villach Christkindl displays its treasures there in new chalets, next to a life-size nativity scene. In the evening, a veil of lights dresses the church tower, which takes on the look of a giant candle.

The Hauptplatz, close by, gathers the food huts of the Hüttenadvent, nine traders in 2026. The Nikolaiplatz hosts the art market of the Kunstadvent, twenty-two exhibitors in 2026, around fire baskets and Feuerzangenbowle, the flaming punch with a sugarloaf. On the Rathausplatz, the ice rink spreads out beneath a canopy of lights. A little train and a carousel round off the programme for children.

Planning your visit to the Villacher Advent

In 2026, the Villacher Advent brings together 30 exhibitors at the Marktadvent, 22 at the Kunstadvent and 9 at the Hüttenadvent. The organiser’s website is available in German, English, Italian and Slovene. For trains from abroad, check timetables with the operators before booking.

Villach pairs with the Klagenfurt Christmas market and, between the two cities, with the Velden Christmas market on the Wörthersee, for an Advent stay in Carinthia. The country’s other markets are gathered on our page of Christmas markets in Austria.