Christmas markets off the beaten track

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Kirche am Steinhof

Schloss Willhelminenberg - on Vienna's landmark hill of the same name - provides the stunning backdrop for a charming Advent market each year. This small-scale Christmas market offers breathtaking views of the twinkling city lights below and, weather permitting, a lovely little skating rink. Baumgartner Höhe, a popular recreation area located on a piece of high ground in the 14th district, is home to one of the capital's best examples of art nouveau architecture, Otto Wagner's Kirche am Steinhof. Known locally as the Lemoniberg, this part of Vienna has had its own Christmas market for several years now.  Advent at Lemoniberg is open on the four Advent weekends and sells one-of-a-kind pieces created in the Otto-Wagner-Spital workshop and the Baumgartner Höhe clinic. Besides the ubiquitous (alcohol-free) punch and home baked Christmas goodies, this market also has a popular puppet theater and pony rides for the little ones to enjoy. Every Saturday and Sunday at 3pm there are guided tours of Steinhof church, followed by carol concerts at four thirty.

On November 12, 2011 an idyllic Christmas market offering arts and crafts, hot and cold refreshments and a kids' carousel will open in the Türkenschanzpark in the 18th district. It is well worth a stroll around this 19th century park, which includes an Alpine garden in the center with free-flowing streams, faithfully reconstructed mountain paths and artfully sculpted cliff faces. Then it's back to the market for a mug of punch and freshly roasted chestnuts. On Sundays there is live music from hunting horn bands to gospel choirs.

Weihnachtszauber at Schloss Wilhelminenberg

Nov 18-Dec 23, 2011
Savoyenstrasse 1, 16th district

Lemoniberg Advent Market

Nov 26, 27, and Dec 3,4, 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2011, opens Nov 25, 2011
Otto-Wagner-Spital, Baumgartner Höhe 1, 14th district

Christmas Market at the Türkenschanzpark

Nov 12-Dec 24, 2011
corner of Peter Jordan-Strasse and Dänenstrasse, 18th district
www.weihnachtimpark.at