Updated 16 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit Vienna?
Packed — December is Vienna's busiest month: the typical day is busier than 94% of its year.
If you are coming for something that only happens in December, that is the trade. If not, January is quieter.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Vienna's own year — not a headcount.
December 2026 is peak-season Vienna: cool and wet, around 5°C / 42°F with rain on about 12 days, and Packed every day.
No — not if you want Vienna to yourself. Every one of December's 31 days in our window is Busy or Packed, and the typical day is Packed. It is crowded throughout. Expect around 5 °C by day, with rain on about 12 days. The crowd comes with the school holidays in Germany and Austria. Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz falls on 1–26 December. Early December is the month's quietest stretch in Vienna — the typical day at 94%, against 99% in late December. For similar weather with fewer people, come in October or May. The crush is at Stephansplatz; the quiet is at the Belvedere gardens. The calmest day is Tuesday 1 December, the busiest Friday 25 December.
In short, a hard sell — heavy crowds without the best of the weather.
Across the 12 months we forecast for Vienna, December is the busiest of them all. Its heaviest day is Fri 25 Dec, busier than 100% of the year; its lightest is Tue 1 Dec at 94%.
Preparing pays off in a month like this: timed-entry tickets and pre-booked tours turn the queue time into sightseeing time. see the options →
Pack for wet first — rain on 12 of 31 days.
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.
See walking shoes →
How busy is Vienna in December?
Every day is Packed — the crowd level barely shifts.
The month barely moves — every day lands between 94% and 100% of the year. Daylight runs about 8 hours.
Either side of it, November is far calmer and January is far calmer.
The lightest days are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Still busy — but the easiest of the month — 17 days share that level, so there is room to choose.
Tue 01 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Fri 4 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sat 5 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 07 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Mon 7 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 08 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria public holiday · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Tue 8 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Austria public holiday; Italy public holiday; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Wed 9 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Thu 10 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 11 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Fri 11 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 12 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sat 12 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sun 13 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Mon 14 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 16 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Wed 16 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Thu 17 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Dec Packed busier than 94% of days here · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Fri 18 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Dec Packed busier than 95% of days here · Germany school holidays · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sat 19 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Germany; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Packed busier than 95% of days here · Germany school holidays · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sun 20 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Germany; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Packed busier than 97% of days here · Germany school holidays · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Mon 21 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Germany; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Packed busier than 97% of days here · Germany school holidays · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Tue 22 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Germany; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Packed busier than 98% of days here · Germany school holidays · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Germany; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria school holidays · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Austria and Germany; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Packed the busiest day in our forecast · Austria public holiday · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Fri 25 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed, the busiest day of its forecast year. Why: Austria public holiday; Germany public holiday; UK public holiday; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria public holiday · Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
Event on this day
Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
13 Nov – 26 Dec 2026The city's yearly Christmas-season fixture, part of the December the forecast already knows.
Record Vienna on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Austria public holiday; Germany public holiday; Italy public holiday; Vienna Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria school holidays
Record Vienna on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Austria and Germany. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria school holidays
Record Vienna on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Austria school holidays; Germany school holidays; UK public holiday. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria school holidays
Record Vienna on Tue 29 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Austria and Germany. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria school holidays
Record Vienna on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Austria and Germany. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Austria school holidays · Vienna New Year's Eve Trail (Silvesterpfad)
Event on this day
Vienna New Year's Eve Trail (Silvesterpfad)
31 Dec 2026Vienna's old town becomes one party trail: stages and punch stands from Graben to the Prater, and a waltz at midnight.
Record Vienna on Thu 31 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: school holidays in Austria and Germany; Vienna New Year's Eve Trail. Nearest calmer day: Fri 1 Jan (Calm). https://avoid-crowds.com/vienna/#d-2026-12-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of December is quietest in Vienna?
Early December is the month's quietest stretch in Vienna — the typical day at 94%, against 99% in late December.
Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds
- On the busy days, the walk-up queues for the big sights are the biggest time-sink — a timed-entry ticket skips them, which is where a busy month is won or lost.
Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.
December weather in Vienna
Cold — around 5°C / 42°F, so pack a proper coat, with rain on about 12 days, so keep a layer handy. Daylight is short, about 8 hours, so plan the big sights for the middle of the day.
Book beds and the big-ticket sights well ahead, and start your days by eight — in a month this full, the early hours are the only uncrowded ones.
What is worth your time in Vienna in December?
In Vienna, the advice below is what to do early in December, what to skip, and where to sit down instead.
It comes from someone who has spent time there and wrote it down for us; the crowd numbers on this page are ours, and the advice here is theirs.
Reserve an early timed entry, particularly in summer, school holidays and December, then visit the gardens later when the first organised groups have moved on. This strategy works well after the recent extensive renovation. Visit the Christmas markets when they're not concentrated around Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn and the main central squares.
Editorial advice, from notes sent to Avoid-Crowds on 27 Aug 2026. It is not measured data and it never changes the forecast on this page.
More about Vienna in December
Based on: Austria's public holidays · school vacations across Austria and Germany · the season pattern from official overnight stays · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates
Every figure is recomputed nightly from public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
