40 years of Advent in Graz city centre
Advent in Graz has now become an integral part of our city. What began 40 years ago with the idea of moving the Christmas market from the Volksgarten to Graz city centre has developed into one of the city’s most significant events and tourist attractions.
A look back at 1986: ‘Jeanny’ and ‘Märchenprinz’ were playing on the radio, ‘Crocodile Dundee’ was showing at the cinema, Graz had just weathered the snowfall of the century in February, and in December the foundation stone for today’s Advent city was laid with the first Christmas market on Franziskanerplatz.
1995 – The launch of the ‘Advent of the Regions’: Christmas presents were still being paid for in schillings, and with 80 new designer Advent stalls, new Christmas illuminations – including the famous wandering stars in Herrengasse – and a completely new market concept, the success story of today’s Graz Advent began. Over 13 million schillings were invested, and for the first time an Advent trail linked eight squares in Graz from the Eisernes Tor to Mariahilferplatz (Eisernes Tor – Tummelplatz – Glockenspielplatz – Mehlplatz – Hauptplatz – Franziskanerplatz – Südtiroler Platz – Mariahilferplatz). The Advent calendar at the Town Hall was also already part of the programme.
1996: Graz Advent gained an attraction that remains one of its most famous landmarks to this day: the ice sculptor Gert J. Hödl created the ice nativity scene in the Landhaushof for the first time, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
In terms of tourism, December used to be one of the quietest months of the year. With around 27,000 overnight stays, it was on a par with January and February. Today, Graz records around 110,000 overnight stays in December, which is significantly higher than the other winter months, each of which now attracts around 65,000 overnight stays.
What began as a Christmas market gradually developed into an Advent experience spanning the entire city centre. Today, 15 different Advent markets link the historic squares of the city centre. Together with Christmas illuminations, an ice nativity scene, music, arts and crafts, and numerous activities for families, they create a unique pre-Christmas atmosphere. Advent is now not only a tourist attraction but also an important meeting place for the people of Graz and visitors from the surrounding area. With the opening of the Koralmbahn railway at the end of 2025, Graz will also be even closer for visitors from Carinthia.
Over the past four decades, Graz city centre has also undergone significant changes – and with it, the Advent season. What began as a series of individual Christmas markets has evolved into a cohesive experience, which not only creates a festive pre-Christmas atmosphere but also plays a key role in revitalising the city centre, boosting retail and the hospitality sector, and enhancing the city’s appeal to tourists. We want to continue this success story. However, the challenges today are different from those of 40 years ago. Significantly higher demands on the organisation and security of events, as well as – not least – a tight budgetary situation and rising costs, continue to require careful planning and the responsible use of available resources.
Advent in Graz as a significant economic factor
In 2025, market and stall operators achieved a total turnover of around 5 million euros, an increase of 2 per cent compared with the previous year. Of this, around 4.34 million euros came from stall operators’ sales, in particular from catering (2.39 million euros) as well as retail and arts and crafts (1.31 million euros).
The general cost-cutting measures have not left Advent in Graz unscathed. We have carefully reviewed the entire programme, scaled back certain activities, set priorities and sensibly bundled our offerings. What remains intact is what makes Graz’s Advent so special: the festive atmosphere in the city centre, a varied programme for all generations, our traditional highlights and the high quality of the visitor experience. It is particularly pleasing that Graz Tourism and the Graz Region Tourism Association are contributing more to the funding this year. This shows that Advent is a joint endeavour from which the people of Graz, the local economy and the tourism sector all benefit.
One thing that cannot go ahead this year is the ‘Klangspuren im Advent’ music series. However, the performance slots in the Landhaushof remain reserved. Choirs and music groups are warmly invited to provide moments of contemplation there – the slots can be booked at: www.holding-graz.at/advent.
Safety as a priority
The safety of visitors, staff and market traders is the top priority. In 2026, Advent in Graz will be held as a major event for the first time since the Covid pandemic. A comprehensive security plan has been drawn up. GPS, as the city’s security service provider, has been commissioned to draw up and implement the security plan. There is close cooperation with the City of Graz’s security management team, the authorities, the police and the emergency services. The measures are continuously coordinated and adapted to requirements. Visitors should be able to enjoy Advent in Graz without a care in the world. To this end, we are creating the best possible organisational and security conditions behind the scenes.
15 Advent markets – 15 experiences
The particular strength of Graz’s Advent season lies in its decentralised structure. The programme ranges from the traditional Christkindlmarkt on Hauptplatz, through the atmospheric markets in the historic alleyways, to modern and family-friendly events on both sides of the River Mur. Added to this are arts and crafts, culinary delights, music and activities for children. Each location has its own character; together, they make up Advent in Graz.
New this year: the ‘Gutes aus aller Welt’ market is moving from Tummelplatz to Freiheitsplatz. The market in the Lesliehof is no longer taking place, as the arts and crafts association is no longer able to organise it with the resources currently available.
The 2026 Markets
- Christmas Market in front of the Town Hall
- Advent Lounge in Schmiedgasse
- Advent at the Iron Gate
- Delicacies from around the world at Freiheitsplatz
- Advent Market at Glockenspielplatz
- Advent Market at Mehlplatz
- Grieskindl Market at Nikolaiplatz
- Christmas Market at Südtiroler Platz
- Aufsteirern Christmas Market on the Schlossberg
- Old Graz Christmas Market in the Franziskanerviertel
- Children’s Advent at Kapistran-Pieller-Platz
- Advent Market in the Joanneumsviertel
- Arts and Crafts Market at Färberplatz
- Winter Wonderland at Mariahilferplatz
- Christmas at Karmeliterplatz
Excerpt from the programme
Advent in Graz 2026 offers a wide range of activities for families and children. These include, amongst other things, Children’s Saturdays and Children’s Sundays featuring craft workshops, games, magic shows and puppet theatre. The family programme is complemented by face painting, visits from St Nicholas and the Krampus, as well as a variety of children’s guided tours.
There is a particular focus on getting involved and sharing experiences together. Visitors can get hands-on with creative and craft activities such as making candles from beeswax, making Advent wreaths, and glass-engraving, chocolate-making and painting workshops. In addition, the Christkind Post Office, communal Christmas carol singing, craft demonstrations and numerous interactive activities invite visitors to join in.
We strive every year to improve accessibility. This year, there are quiet spaces for people who find noise, music, lights or crowds particularly overwhelming. For the first time, the Graz Advent markets feature dedicated quiet zones. These are places where people on the autism spectrum and those experiencing mental health challenges, in particular, can retreat from the hustle and bustle. In a peaceful environment, they can create some distance, relax and recharge their batteries. This ensures that Advent in Graz is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The festively lit city centre as a popular attraction
Once again in 2026, the Christmas lights and the festive decorations in the city centre will play a key role in creating that special atmosphere. Around 760,000 LED lights will bathe more than 70 streets, alleys and squares in festive splendour from 19 November 2026 up to and including 6 January 2027. Energy-efficient LED technology is used, which has ensured that the total power consumption has been reduced by 75 per cent since 2007, even though the number of lights has tripled during this period.
30 Years of the Ice Nativity Scene
In 1996, ice sculptor Gert J. Hödl created the first ice nativity scene in the Landhaushof. In 2014, the Finnish artist Kimo Frosti took over the project. Today, it is one of the best-known and internationally acclaimed landmarks of the Graz Advent season.
Christmas Tree from Semriach
This year’s Christmas tree on Hauptplatz comes from the municipality of Semriach. The festive lighting ceremony will take place on 28 November. The spruce, which is around 60 years old and 26 metres tall, will be a festive eye-catcher on Graz’s main square this year. As is tradition, Energie Graz will provide the Christmas sparkle, illuminating the tree with thousands of lights and transforming the main square into an atmospheric centrepiece of the Advent season.
Town Hall projection
The façade projection at Graz Town Hall combines traditional Christmas motifs with modern light art. Moving digital elements and large-scale projections bathe the Town Hall façade in festive splendour. OchoReSotto is responsible for the artistic and technical realisation; the company has been illuminating Graz Town Hall with impressive light displays for over 15 years.
Forest of Stories: a place for families
At Schlossbergplatz, numerous illuminated Christmas trees and a photo spot designed as a snow globe invite visitors to listen, marvel and linger. Fairy tales and stories can be accessed via QR codes. The Forest is a place to spend time together without having to buy anything.
Exploring Advent on the move
The historic Advent tram and the electric Advent sightseeing train offer a unique perspective on the festive city centre.
>> Advent tram timetable: 20 November to 24 December 2026
>> Leisure train timetable: 20 November to 24 December 2026
>> On the Advent Saturdays of 5, 12 and 19 December 2026, all public transport in Graz is free of charge.
Advent in Graz: a collaborative project
Advent in Graz thrives on the collaboration of many dedicated partners. The event management team at Holding Graz brings together the 15 Advent markets and the varied supporting programme to create a unified experience. This includes conceptual development, coordination of market operators, collaboration with tourism, business, cultural organisations and public authorities, as well as the organisation and coordination of key programme highlights and safety measures. The aim is to preserve the special character of Graz’s Advent whilst also introducing new ideas. Year after year, this results in an attractive Advent programme that brings people together, revitalises the city centre and positions Graz as a ‘place to be’ far beyond its borders.
Find out all about the programme at: www.holding-graz.at/advent
