Advent is a special time in the mountains of Osttirol. The imposing, usually already snow-covered mountains all around, give this place an exceptionally magical flair. To get in the mood together for this most beautiful time of the year, you have numerous possibilities in Osttirol.
"Once again be a child" - under this motto the main square of Lienz transforms into the Lienz Christmas market in the pre-Christmas period. Artfully decorated stalls, fairy lights, fireplaces, the scent of gingerbread, kiachln, mulled wine and hot tea, framed by soft sounds - these are the ingredients that make Lienz Advent something special. Singers and storytellers perform in front of the town hall, which is transformed into a giant Advent calendar. In the adjacent Christmas workshop, glassblowers, candle makers and woodcarvers invite you to join in, while the youngsters work in the children's bakery.
All those who want to experience the pre-Christmas season without the hustle and bustle will find what they are looking for at the romantic and small Christmas markets and Advent markets in Pustertal. Surrounded by deep snow-covered forests and meadows, in the heart of the illuminated mountain villages, these are considered a convivial and atmospheric meeting place for the whole family. From the castle Christmas at Heinfels Castle to the Christkindl awakening in Villgratental - original gift ideas, the demonstration of traditional crafts and culinary delicacies can be found at all these Advent markets.
It is the special attraction at the Lienz Advent Market, the large art calendar at the town hall of the city, the Liebburg. Artists are already transforming the 24 windows of the Liebburg into large calendar pictures. Every day at 6:30 p.m. the Advent market becomes a social and cultural meeting place. In the company of good friends and acquaintances, the market visitors experience the opening of the Advent calendar window and get in the mood for the Christmas season. The original Advent Calendar paintings are presented in a special exhibition in late winter and sold at an exciting public art auction in the Spitalskirche.
The Krampus Days are the spectacular highlight of the pre-Christmas season. According to centuries-old tradition, the Krampusse hide behind elaborately hand-carved masks, wrap themselves in thick, shaggy fur and hang themselves with huge bells. Behind secure barriers, the Krampuslaufen is an impressive experience for guests and locals alike. In the calendar of events we list all official Krampus parades.
Our multilingual night watchman Hannes Roohracher is on duty again this year. He is a source of information for guests - especially for historical details of our town - a popular photo motif and also likes to take time for a chat with the visitors of the Advent Market.
At nightfall he starts his tours of the Lienz Advent Market with lantern and halberd, looks after the "right", takes care of the guests' concerns and questions and is especially helpful to the little market visitors. Punctually at 21:00 o'clock the market life ends with his traditional night call. The lights in the Advent houses go out and silence returns to Lienz's main square.
In the living workshop, craftsmen and artists show their skills, provide insights into their art directly on site and are happy to let guests and visitors look over their shoulders as they work.
In an atmospheric setting, the craftspeople invite you to watch and join in. In the first week, the Irschener Kräuterfrauen take you into the mystical realm of herbs and invite you to taste tea. The Schmutzerhaus Mörtschach provides an insight into the art of felting and pottery and shows handcrafted items made from wood. While basket weaving, making greeting cards, making dolls and Christmas decorations, the artisans are happy to provide information about the processes and steps involved in the production of their exhibits.
From 18 - 22 December there is once again a very special offer for families: the town of Lienz, in cooperation with the Parent-Child Centre, invites all children to do handicrafts, sing, write Christmas post, play and much more together with their parents in the heated pavilion at the Advent market from 03:00 to 07:00 p.m.
Highlight at 04:00 p.m.
‘The worship of the King’ is quite possibly the greatest type of gingerbread at Schloss Bruck. The bakers and confectioners of Lienz have joined forces to recreate this unique product and baking artwork. Exquisite spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise, ginger, fennel and coriander are included to make the fine taste. The carefully handmade original Lienz Lebzelt 1644® biscuit is filled with genuine Tyrolean cranberries. The old pattern, shaped in the finest marzipan, surrounds the top of the Lebzelt.
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