--- title: Advent in Upper Austria url: "https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent.html" description: Experience the magic of Advent in Upper Austria with enchanting Christmas markets, traditional festivities, and winter activities. Enjoy the festive season with delicious treats, handcrafted gifts, and unique cultural events. image: "https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/user_upload/oberoesterreich-tourismus/Bilder/Aktivitaeten/Winter/Advent-Brauchtum/Wolfgangseer-Advent_Maybach/Salzkammergut_Wolfgangsee_Winter_Advent3_Laterne_Wasser_Oberoesterreich-Tourismus-GmbH_Robert-Maybach.jpg" date: 2017-10-31 modified: 2026-03-18 --- # Advent in Upper Austria 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. [ ![Drinking punch at the Advent market in Upper Austria](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/3/5/csm_Adventmarkt-Punsch-1-Maybach_3s_638f4eac59.jpg "Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH./Robert Maybach: Drinking punch at the Advent market in Upper Austria") The most beautiful Advent markets Immerse yourself in the magic of the pre-Christmas season. We’ll tell you about the most enchanting Christmas markets where you can get into the spirit of Christmas with arts and crafts, grilled sausages, vanilla crescents and more. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/the-most-beautiful-advent-markets-in-upper-austria.html) Open copyright © Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH./Robert Maybach: Drinking punch at the Advent market in Upper Austria Close copyright [ ![A woman examines the offerings at an artisan's stall at the Mondsee Advent in the Salzkammergut.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/c/csm_MondseeAdvent_OberoesterreichTourismusGmbHRobertMaybach_d0740d7786.jpg "Photo Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Arts and crafts at the Mondsee Advent in the Salzkammergut.") Advent Markets in Upper Austria Advent events and Christmas markets ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/advent-events-and-christmas-markets.html) Open copyright © Photo Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Arts and crafts at the Mondsee Advent in the Salzkammergut. Close copyright [ ![A night-time view of the Enns and the Steyr confluence amid the wintry townscape of Steyr](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/b/csm_SteyrWinter_3s_5f42a2e46e.jpg "Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus/Röbl: A winter's night in Steyr at the confluence between the River Enns and the River Steyr") Advent trips Atmospheric Advent and Christmas offers ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/advent-and-christmas-packages.html) Open copyright © Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus/Röbl: A winter's night in Steyr at the confluence between the River Enns and the River Steyr Close copyright [ ![Kekse backen in Oberösterreich](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/c/csm_Kekse-fertig_3s_fd94de706c.png "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus Gmbh/Christina Tropper: Kekse backen in Oberösterreich") Christmas cookies We’re sharing the recipes for our 5 favourite cookies. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/christmas-cookies.html) Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus Gmbh/Christina Tropper: Kekse backen in Oberösterreich Close copyright [ ![The "Europe" station on the Franz Xaver Gruber Friedensweg (Franz Xaver Gruber Peace Path) in Hochburg-Ach in winter; the first verse of "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night) on the sculpture](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/8/d/csm_FXGruberwegEuropa_3s_bfb9c37beb.jpg "Photo: F. X. Gruber Gemeinschaft: The "Europe" station on the Franz Xaver Gruber Peace Path") Retracing the footsteps of the composer of “Silent Night” The Upper Austrian Franz Xaver Gruber composed the music for the world’s most famous Christmas carol. Join us as we retrace the footsteps of the great master. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/silent-night-upper-austria.html) Open copyright © Photo: F. X. Gruber Gemeinschaft: The "Europe" station on the Franz Xaver Gruber Peace Path Close copyright 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](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/5/1/csm_SilvesterBadIschl_2sp_3b2092c9a5.jpg "Photo: Hofer: New Year fireworks over Bad Ischl") New Year's Eve events All events for the turn of the year ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/new-years-eve-and-new-year-events.html) Open copyright © Photo: Hofer: New Year fireworks over Bad Ischl Close copyright [ ![Ein Glas Sekt steht am Rande eines warmen Wellnesspools, die aufgehende Sonne scheint ins Glas](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/6/6/csm_BoehmerwaldMuehlviertelWellnessSchneeKulinarik_OberoesterreichTourismusGmbHDavidLugmayr_962c54eb06.jpeg "Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/David Lugmayr: Ein Glas Sekt steht am Rande eines warmen Wellnesspools.") New Year's Eve trips Vacation offers for New Year’s Eve ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/advent/new-years-eve-specials.html) Open copyright © Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/David Lugmayr: Ein Glas Sekt steht am Rande eines warmen Wellnesspools. Close copyright [ ![Ein gut gelauntes Paar in einem winterlichen Wald](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/d/a/csm_BoehmerwaldMuehlviertelWinterSchneeSonnePaar_OberoesterreichTourismusGmbHDavidLugmayr_801d561bda.jpg "Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/David Lugmayr: Ein gut gelauntes Paar in einem winterlichen Wald") 9 good reasons ... ... to choose Upper Austria for a winter break ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/ski-resorts-and-cross-country-skiing/6-good-reasons-to-choose-upper-austria-for-a-winter-break.html) Open copyright © Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/David Lugmayr: Ein gut gelauntes Paar in einem winterlichen Wald Close copyright 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](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/400428/landhaus.html "Link opens in new window"). 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. [ ![Wir sehen drei große Glöckler-Kappen. Diese handgefertigten Kunstwerke werden am 05. Jänner von Männern auf den Schultern getragen und von Ort zu Ort gebracht um die Wintergeister auszutreiben. Die Kappen sind mit Kerzen bzw. Lichter hinterleuchtet.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/9/f/csm_GloecklerAltmuensterTraunsee_SalzkammergutKatrinKerschbaumer_777a696646.jpg "Foto Salzkammergut/Katrin Kerschbaumer: Glöckler vom Traunsee") Glöckler Runs in Upper Austria On 5 January, the Glöckler Runs take place throughout the Salzkammergut region. White-clad men and women, wearing large, illuminated and intricately designed Glöckler caps with ringing bells, traverse the towns and villages. ](https://www.salzkammergut.at/en/activities/winter/advent-and-tradition/gloeckler-runs.html "Link opens in new window") Open copyright © Foto Salzkammergut/Katrin Kerschbaumer: Glöckler vom Traunsee Close copyright