Christmas markets are a long-standing and typically Austrian tradition. The Christmas tree plays a very important role and every town sets up its own christmas tree. A traditional tree is decorated with gold and silver ornaments, stars made out of straw, sweets and candy wrapped in tinfoil, gilded nutns, decorated ginger bread cookies etc. On Christmas Eve shops close at around 6 p.m. and there are no movie or theater performances and no concerts. Most bars, restaurants, night clubs are closed and traffic is non-existent, Silent Night, Holy Night written and performed for the first time on December 24th, 1818, is still the favorite Christmas carol.
Presents are placed under the tree and are brought for children by the Christkind. The biggest market is Christkindlmarkt at the Rathausplatz. All the main shopping streets turn on a Christmas lights. A chance to see world-class music is at the Stephansdom. The music is provided by the Wiener Kammer Orchester. The annual Mozart concert, taking place on Christmas Eve, which is the main celebration day for the german-speaking world, has great spirit. The program includes performances by the Salon Orchestra. The Schonbrunn palace has been a venue for classical music in the Habsburg rule. There are concert in this days too. Viennese adore ice skating in the wintertime. The ice ring in front of the city hall is very popular.
One of the most famous traditions is Christmas punch (Weihnachtspunsch). What’s in the drink depends on who you talk to. There are numerous variations, but the two most common suggestions are a version of mulled (Gluhwein) and a combination of tea, spices, sugar and spirits (mainly rum and brandy). The drink is piping hot and often very sweet. If you don’t want to drink alcohol, there is also Children’s punch (Kinderpunsch) available. It’s alcohol free. The price of a mug includes a deposit for the mug itself, which you get back when you return it. The Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz, for example, brings out a unique mug design each year.
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