10 Things to Do in Salzburg in December

Salzburg is a city in Austria, combining a stunning urban and natural scene, which takes on an even greater visual appeal during December. This is due to the lights and decorations that contrast with the wintry atmosphere that characterises the month.

On your visit to the so-called city of Mozart, you will find many activities to enjoy in the last month of the year. You can discover some of the city's folklore at the traditional Krampus parade, shop for souvenirs at the Christmas markets, see the seasonal lights and decorations, among other things to do in Salzburg.

If your stay in Salzburg coincides with the first week of December, you can go to the Krampus parade and discover one of the centuries-old traditions of this Austrian city. You will be amazed to see this imposing character , half demon and half goat, who appears to chase away the winter and punish bad children.

To see the Krampus, or the spirit belonging to the folklore of the sub-Alpine region, you will have to go to the historic centre of the city. There, after sunset, the long-awaited parade starts.

You will see dozens of people running wildly through the streets to the rhythm of traditional music. All of them wearing their amazing Krampus costumes: sturdy furs, carved wooden masks, twisted horns and menacing clubs.

After this encounter with Salzburg's traditions, you can continue to enjoy the city's cultural activities. For example, buy tickets for the Magic Flute at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre, which is a show suitable for the whole family.

Whether you plan to be in Salzburg for a day or more, a tour of the old town is a good option to incorporate into your itinerary. Especially in December, when the streets come alive with seasonal lights and decorations.

You can start the walking tour on your own or even take part in a guided activity. You will be amazed by the hundreds of coloured lights on the facades of the historic buildings, the carolers and the huge Christmas tree in the city centre, the flea markets, etc.

Some of the sights you will see on these Salzburg tours include the following:

• Getreidegasse, where you will find the house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756.
• Salzburg Cathedral, an imposing baroque building from the 18th century.
• The Franciscan Church in Gothic style and considered one of the oldest in the city.
• The Hohensalzburg Fortress; this is an iconic monument of the city, erected in 1077.

Useful information

• Price: this tour can cost up to €162 per person.
• Duration: approximately two to six hours.

Lake Wolfgang is a natural area of overwhelming beauty and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It is a place you can visit at any time of the year, but in December it becomes even more attractive, thanks to the snowy Alpine landscape that surrounds it.

You will be amazed by this natural scenery, the blue waters guarded by the imposing snow-capped mountains and a series of traditional houses, which are lined up on the shore of the lake. You can stroll through the St. Wolfgang market to buy souvenirs and sample the local cuisine. You will certainly have a different time.

For this getaway, you can join one of the Hop on Hop off bus tours in Salzburg, which incorporates a route through the lake region with up to 15 stops. You'll have the opportunity to visit the village of Strobl with its panoramic view of the lake or the village of Sankt Gilgen, where Mozart's mother was born.

The lake is located about 30 minutes away from the centre of Salzburg and is also often part of the itinerary of some of the guided tours of the city. It is also easily accessible by private car. So, in addition to the Salzburg sightseeing bus, you have several options for getting to this magical place.

During your stay in December celebrate Advent, or the first season of the liturgical year, by attending the Mozart concert tour in Salzburg. You will enjoy some of the legendary composer's best-known pieces.

This musical gala takes place in the Salzburg Fortress, built more than 900 years ago on the Festungsberg mountain. You can reach this imposing place via a funicular railway, from whose cabins you can see a different perspective of the old town, illuminated by hundreds of coloured lights.

Once in the fortress, you will go to the concert hall, which has preserved its Romantic style from the bygone era. There, you will enjoy some masterpieces such as the Requiem funeral mass, the Magic Flute, the Marriage of Figaro, etc. All of them performed by the Mozart Chamber Orchestra of Salzburg.

At the end of the show, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a drink with some traditional dishes, in an intimate evening with a view of the historic city centre. At the end of this Mozart concert with dinner in Salzburg, you will take the funicular back to the city centre.

Useful information

• Price: the experience costs an average of €73 per person.
• Duration: approximately two and a half hours.

Visiting the Christmas markets in December is a good option to incorporate into your 2-day itinerary in Salzburg or longer. You can enjoy a celebratory atmosphere while shopping for some souvenirs of your trip.

In Salzburg, you will find several Christmas markets from mid-November until at least the third week of December, some of them being the following:

• The Christkindlmarkt in the historic centre. This market, considered the city's main market, is open until about two days after Christmas. You can visit it from Monday to Sunday until around 21:00.
• Mirabell Garden Market, on the eastern bank of the Salzach River (about 15 minutes from the city centre). Open until 21:00 on Christmas Eve.
• Hohensalzburg market; this usually runs until the second week of December. You can attend from Friday to Sunday until about 19:00.

Whatever the market, you will find a variety of products: fashion, souvenirs, handicrafts, jewellery, flowers, local gastronomy, wines, hot drinks, etc. All this in a lively atmosphere, ideal if you are in Salzburg with children. Both you and the little ones will enjoy the Christmas carols, Christmas lights, trees, nativity scenes and seasonal decorations.

December coincides with winter in Salzburg, so during your stay you'll find a snowy landscape with a nostalgic seasonal atmosphere. You can take advantage of this natural scene to take amazing pictures of the city.

This is an activity that you can do on your own or with a guide. The latter option will be more convenient for you, as you will have the help of a professional who will teach you some tricks for taking photographs in winter and taking advantage of the light, shadows, etc.

Whichever option you choose, you will have the opportunity to get the best views of the city's different places of interest. For example, the Salzburg Cathedral with its particular baroque style, the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the Oberndorf Chapel, the Getreidegasse, Lake Wolfgang, among others.

Useful information

• Price: the guided tour can cost up to 65€ per person. The self-paced tour is free of charge.
• Duration: The guided tour can last from two to six hours, depending on your convenience. Meanwhile, the self-paced tour has no time limit.

The Oberndorf Chapel, built on the ruins of St. Nicholas Church, is a must-see destination in Salzburg in December. This is where the song "Silent Night" was first sung on Christmas Eve 1818.

It is a monument commemorating the carol and its composers Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr. There, you can learn about the history of this iconic place in detail, specifically in the museum area.

In December, the chapel is fully illuminated with candles after dark, so you will enjoy a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. You will be amazed by its octagonal structure and arched windows. The main altar has a high relief made in 1915 by Hermann Hutter and a relief by sculptor Max Domenig, incorporated in 1936 and inspired by the crucifixion and adoration of the Kings.

It is a popular place among tourists and locals alike, and is usually included in the itinerary of the best tours of Salzburg. You are also welcome to visit this iconic site on your own if you wish.

Useful information

• Admission is free.
• Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Skating on the ice rink at the Eisarena Salzburg sports stadium is one of the must-do things to do in Salzburg in December. You can practice a traditional winter sport and enjoy the lively atmosphere, surrounded by locals and tourists.

When you arrive at this sports centre, located about ten minutes' drive from Mozart Square, you will find an open-air rink and an enclosed rink. In either space you will enjoy a celebratory atmosphere: coloured lights, Christmas decorations, Christmas carols and other seasonal music.

This is an activity that you can do on your own and is suitable for the whole family. In fact, if you find yourself with children at the rink, they will be amazed to see the legendary Father Christmas gliding across the icy ice rink. It's a great moment to take some photos.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately €5 per adult and about €4 for children under the age of 18.
• Opening hours: the rink is generally open daily from 10:00 to 16:30 or Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 19:15 to 20:30.

If you love sleigh rides, then you should take advantage of the month of December in Salzburg to go on a guided adventure through Ramsau am Dachstein. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and relax in a peaceful forest with a unique winter panorama.

On this adventure, as on other day trips and excursions in Salzburg, you will be accompanied by a driver-guide. This person in charge of the activity will tell you little by little about the history of the city and the place visited.

You will travel along the Salzach Valley to the village of Schladming. There, the snowy landscape leads the way and the horse-drawn sleigh ride across the alpine plateau begins. You will discover an amazing view of meadows and forests. In addition, you will stop at some viewpoints with a completely nostalgic atmosphere.

Interesting information

• Price: the price of the excursion is around 95€ per person.
• Duration: the activity usually lasts about eight hours.

If you plan to spend the last day of the year in the city of Mozart, then a good alternative is to go to the outskirts of Salzburg Cathedral. There, every 31 December, you can experience an unforgettable atmosphere of celebration: music, gastronomy, fireworks, etc.

You should go to the old town from 4 p.m. onwards to hear the cannon fire from the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Then, from the Staatsbrücke bridge, the Bürgergarde Brigade will fire a volley of gunshots.

Afterwards, you can stroll through the Christkindlmarkt food court on Cathedral Square. You can taste some wines to warm up your body and try dishes such as fondue, among other preparations.

At midnight you will feel as if you have been transported to a real fairy tale, as the sky is completely illuminated by the fireworks display, lit from the top of the fortress that guards the city. All this while the 12 bellsring out in the cathedral andpeople dance in the middle of the square to the sound of classical and urban music.

Temperatures in Salzburg in December usually range from 4°C to -4°C. Throughout the day, there is a maximum decrease and increase of about 2°C. However, you will rarely see the thermometer drop below -3°C or exceed 10°C.

In this month you can also expect around 10 days of rain, corresponding to 177 millimetres of precipitation. All this, accompanied by some snowy days. In addition, you will enjoy shorter days, with a duration of approximately 8 hours and 25 minutes.

Mozart's hometown of Salzburg tends to be very cold in December. It is therefore important to pack some warm clothes and some clothes made of sturdy fabrics in your suitcase. This way, you will be able to keep warm and enjoy all the seasonal activities.

For example, you will need to bring long trousers and coats. Also, accessories such as a scarf, a pair of gloves and a hat. Woollen socks and mid-calf boots with good traction are also necessary so that you can move around comfortably and safely.