Vienna, Austria
Vienna hosts a number of Christmas markets at various locations throughout the city from mid-November through December 24 (and sometimes longer), with many of them situated at or close to Vienna's most popular tourist destinations. A 30-meter-tall Christmas tree and all the trees in Rathauspark, in front of the City Hall, turn the area into the "Vienna Magic of Advent". A carousel, gift-making kiosks where children may make crafts, and a skating rink are available for them.
For the holiday season, Maria-Theresien-Platz is turned into a Christmas Village, with brightly adorned cabins selling foods, decorations, and gifts. You can find modern crafts and designs made by local artists and crafters in Karlskirche and in the small streets around if you're looking for one-of-a-kind gifts. The markets almost have romantic backdrops, and the Karlskirche and the Gothic Rasthaus have the most lighted facades that make for impressive photo backdrops. Each of the cabins lining the floodlit façade of the Belvedere Palace, the former home of the Prince of Savoy, is topped with a baroque curlicue made of white lights.
