© Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Lantern in the water at the Wolfgangsee Advent in St. Wolfgang
Lantern in the water at the Wolfgangsee Advent in St. Wolfgang
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Advent and winter traditions in Upper Austria

Advent, the atmospheric time before Christmas, is a time that is particularly festive in Upper Austria. The region is rich in customs and traditions that make winter in Upper Austria something special. Discover the enchanting flair of the Advent season and the winter customs of our province: From Advent markets to the Christ Child and Silent Night. On New Year's Eve, people in Upper Austria dance into the New Year with a waltz, then marvel at the Glöcklerläufen and laugh at the jesters at the carnival parades, and on Liebstatt Sunday, you give your loved ones a gingerbread heart as a sign of love.

Enchanting Christmas season

 

With fragrant treats and authentic craftsmanship, Advent markets define the most special time of the year. Deeply rooted are the traditions that accompany us around Christmas and the New Year. From crafting nativity scenes to participating in the Glöckler Runs, from celebrating forest-themed Christmas events to experiencing the Advent at a castle, from meeting the Steyr Christkindl to partaking in the Linz candle-making workshops.

A woman examines the offerings at an artisan's stall at the Mondsee Advent in the Salzkammergut.
Advent Markets in Upper Austria
Advent events and Christmas markets
© Photo Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Arts and crafts at the Mondsee Advent in the Salzkammergut.
A night-time view of the Enns and the Steyr confluence amid the wintry townscape of Steyr
Advent trips
Atmospheric Advent and Christmas offers
© Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus/Röbl: A winter's night in Steyr at the confluence between the River Enns and the River Steyr
Kekse backen in Oberösterreich
Christmas cookies
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© Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus Gmbh/Christina Tropper: Kekse backen in Oberösterreich

New Year's Eve in Upper Austria

Upper Austria knows how to ring in the New Year with a bang. Here, too, the arrival of the New Year is welcomed with champagne and fireworks. In many cities, the last night of the old year seamlessly transitions into the first of the new with a long and fabulous party. However, there are also entirely different ways to spend New Year’s Eve in Upper Austria: wandering through the historic streets of Steyr with a night watchman, in style on a boat along the Danube or in total relaxation at a spa.

Glittering New Year fireworks explode in a shower of sparkles above Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut region
New Year's Eve events
All events for the turn of the year
© Photo: Hofer: New Year fireworks over Bad Ischl
Ein Glas Sekt steht am Rande eines warmen Wellnesspools, die aufgehende Sonne scheint ins Glas
New Year's Eve trips
Vacation offers for New Year’s Eve
© Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/David Lugmayr: Ein Glas Sekt steht am Rande eines warmen Wellnesspools.
Ein gut gelauntes Paar in einem winterlichen Wald
9 good reasons ...
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© Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/David Lugmayr: Ein gut gelauntes Paar in einem winterlichen Wald

New Year's customs and expelling winter

It’s New Year’s Day, and a loud crack cuts through the air outside the Landhaus in Linz. Seasoned men welcome the new year by cracking whips. This tradition, known as ‘Aperschnalzen’, marks the beginning of the year of customs in Upper Austria.

On the final night of Christmas, from 5 to 6 January, the Glöckler roam the Salzkammergut region. Dressed in white garments, adorned with bells and brightly decorated lighted caps, they move in groups through the approaching night. But other regions of Upper Austria have their own customs for this night: the Innviertler Maschkerer go door-to-door in disguise, entertaining with their antics. Those who miss the Twelve Nights of Christmas carolling in Nebelberg in the Mühlviertel region will require lots of patience, as this spectacle only occurs once every ten years.