‘Ad­vent in Graz 2025’ pre­sent­ed

When the extensive Advent programme of events kicks off in Graz, it marks not only the start of the most contemplative time of the year, but also one of the most economically important periods for the Styrian capital.

‘With millions of visitors, a diverse market and cultural programme, and a strong boost for trade and tourism, Graz Advent has long since become a significant economic factor in the city of Graz,’ emphasises City Councillor for Economic Affairs Kurt Hohensinner, referring to the latest figures.

“Almost 1.9 million people visited Advent in Graz in 2024 – around 92 per cent from Austria and 8 per cent from the central EU region. The markets alone generated total sales of almost five million euros in 33 days. The high visitor frequency not only boosts trade, but also extends the tourist season and brings more vitality and added value to our city centre. In December, hotels in Graz record an average of between 90,000 and 100,000 overnight stays. By way of comparison, in the 1990s, when the Graz Advent did not yet exist in its current form, the figure was less than 30,000,‘ explains Hohensinner. ’Advent is therefore also a significant factor in terms of tourism.”

Over the past five years, the market operators have also invested around 1.4 million euros in the infrastructure of the markets – in 2024, a further 580,000 euros in new investments were added. From the hotel industry to gastronomy and retail, all sectors benefit from the extended length of stay and high willingness to spend of guests.

16 Advent markets, 215 stalls, 200 programme items

Holding Graz is responsible for marketing as the organiser and strategic control centre for ‘Advent in Graz’. With a focus on sustainability, family friendliness, accessibility and regionality, the format combines tradition that has grown over the years with new concepts.

‘We want to bring the diversity and uniqueness of Graz’s Advent season to life again this year,’ reveals Hohensinner. “That’s why this year we are offering a particularly wide range of attractions at 16 markets with over 215 stalls and a number of new features. Advent in Graz is much more than just the classic punch stall. Advent is family time, regionality, tradition, arts and crafts, cuisine and also inclusion. This year, we have 200 programme items and activities alone. For the first time, these are summarised in a compact online calendar at www.holding-graz.at/advent. One audible innovation is the focus on “sound tracks”, with Styrian choirs and musicians performing well-known Christmas carols in various locations to create even more Christmas spirit.”

16 Graz Advent markets
Opening on 21 November 2025
(Opening of arts and crafts markets: 28 November 2025)

• Christkindlmarkt in front of the town hall
• Advent lounge in Schmiedgasse
• Advent at the Iron Gate
• Goods from around the world at Tummelplatz
• Advent market at Glockenspielplatz
• Advent market at Mehlplatz
• Grieskindlmarkt at Nikolaiplatz
• Christkindlmarkt at Südtirolerplatz
• Aufsteirern Christmas market at Schlossberg
• Altgrazer Christkindlmarkt in the Franziskanerviertel
• Children’s Advent in Kleine Neutorgasse
• ARTvent at Lesliehof
• Advent market in the Joanneumsviertel
• Arts and crafts market at Färberplatz
• Winter Wonderland at Mariahilferplatz
• Christmas at Karmeliterplatz

Highlights in the city centre: lighting, Christmas tree & ice nativity scene

‘From 20 November, around 760,000 LEDs will illuminate more than 60 streets and squares in festive light,’ explains Verena Hölzlsauer, who is responsible for organising Advent. ‘The Christmas lights are one of the city’s most popular photo motifs. A special highlight is and remains the lighting of Herrengasse – and, of course, the traditional projection onto Graz City Hall. New additions and extensions to the Christmas lights can be found this year at Joanneumring and Opernring, Mehlplatz and Annenstraße.’

On 29 November, the approximately 28-metre-high Christmas tree from the St. Oswald forest at the foot of the Koralpe will be illuminated on the main square – decorated with 25,000 LEDs, 90 fairy lights and 100 baubles. ‘This year, new, lovingly designed elements such as illuminated straw stars will also enrich the Christmas tree and let it shine in new splendour,’ reveals Hölzlsauer. As part of the ‘Re:tree 2024’ reuse project, the 2024 Christmas tree was turned into sustainable seating called ‘Am Lagerfeuer’ (Around the Campfire), which is installed in front of Lendhafen on Mariahilferplatz during the Advent season.

Another highlight is the world-famous ice nativity scene in the Landhaushof, which is being designed for the 22nd time this year by Finnish ice artist Kimmo Frosti and his team. The grand opening will take place on 29 November at 5.30 p.m. A week earlier (22 November), visitors can watch the artist’s team at work during the traditional ice carving event in Stainz.

Programme items for families and children

The fairy tale forest on Schlossbergplatz invites visitors to explore the ‘Forest of Stories’ again in 2025 in cooperation with KIMUS Kindermuseum GmbH. Around 60 decorated trees, new light installations, fairy-tale footprints and interactive QR codes that lead to recorded fairy tales ensure magical moments.

In addition, families can look forward to:

• Angel bakery & angel workshop
• Glass engraving workshops, beeswax candle making & Advent wreath binding
• Face painting, alpaca trekking & blacksmith demonstrations
• Visits from Krampus & St. Nicholas

Graz Winter World remains a popular meeting place with its 3,000 m² ice rink in Jahngasse, where curling and ice hockey are also possible.

Music, nativity scenes & art during Advent

• Klangspuren im Advent (5–21 December): Numerous performances by Styrian choirs and musicians in cooperation with Volkskultur Steiermark GmbH fill the city centre with well-known Christmas carols.
• Krippenweg (21 November 2025 – 7 January 2026): More than 38 businesses and institutions display artistic nativity scenes in their shop windows, some of which they have made themselves and some of which are on loan from the Diocesan Museum in Graz. The tour starts in Stempfergasse.

Mobile through Advent

The slow train (daily) and the Advent tram (Fri–Sun) make discovering the markets an experience. On the four Saturdays of Advent (29 November, 6 December, 13 December, 20 December), travel on all public transport and the Schlossbergbahn funicular is free of charge.

Timetable:

20 November | 4.30 p.m. | Switching on of the Christmas lights | Eisernes Tor
21 November | 10 a.m. | Start of the Advent markets | City centre
26 November | 5 p.m. | Advent wreath blessing | Schlossbergplatz
28 November | 10 a.m. | Start of the arts and crafts markets | Färberplatz, Lesliehof
29 November | 4 p.m. | Illumination of the Christmas tree | Main square
29 November | 5.30 p.m. | Opening of the ice nativity scene | Landhaushof

All information about the individual programme items: holding-graz.at/advent