Advent 2026 will transform Villach and its surroundings, in Carinthia, into an ideal destination for experiencing the magic of Christmas among Alpine traditions, markets, music, and wintry landscapes.
From the squares of the historic center to the shores of Lake Faak and Lake Ossiach, the festive period will bring with it a rich calendar of events, with crafts, culinary specialties, performances and activities for the whole family.
Dates and events in the historic center
From November 13 to December 31, 2026, Villach’s center will be festively dressed, with squares animated by lights, stalls, artisanal offerings and regional cuisine specialties.
At Nikolaiplatz the Art Advent will return, dedicated to crafts and original creations, while on the Hauptplatz the Advent of the Alpine huts will take place, where gastronomic offerings will help create a typically Christmas atmosphere. Near the Stadtpfarrkirche, the parish church, an area dedicated to crafts will be set up, accompanied by dining spaces.
The program will also include initiatives for families and children, with the Cookie Paradise, pony rides, the little train and the carousel.
Krampus, Bauernadvent and Bauernsilvester: Traditions to Discover
Among the most anticipated events of Villach’s Advent is the Krampus parade on November 27: masked figures, characteristic of Alpine folklore, traverse the streets in haunting costumes, recalling ancient customs associated with the winter period and the approach of the holidays.
Sunday, December 20 at 5 PM, attention will shift to the Villacher Bauernadvent, the farming Advent of Villach, with the community gathered to greet the Baby Jesus, accompanied by the Magi and the angels.
Another distinctive tradition is the Bauernsilvester on December 30, a celebration that anticipates New Year’s Eve by one day. Its origins are connected to the habits of farmers, laborers and maids, who in the past worked on the evening of December 31 and thus had the chance to celebrate the day before.
For the event, specialties such as smoked sausage, sauerkraut and bread are planned, together with tastings, music performed by traditional costume groups and the blessing of foods.
Eiszeit and the Church Tower: Villach from Above and on the Ice
At Rathausplatz, the Eiszeit will bring ice skating to the heart of the winter program: three evenings dedicated to music, skating and entertainment are planned, along with three ice-skating performances.
An experience to consider for admiring the city from a new perspective is climbing the parish church tower, illuminated during the holidays like a giant candle: from November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 it will be possible to reach the top, 94 meters high, after climbing 239 steps.
Access is planned from Thursday to Sunday, from 16:00 to 20:00, with special openings on December 7, 8 and 23 and closures on December 24 and 25.
Schönleitn: the New Christmas Village on Lake Faak
The big novelty of Advent 2026 will be Schönleitn, in the Lake Faak area, which from November 19, 2026 to January 10, 2027 will transform into a Christmas village, with traditional Alpine farmhouses, apartments with Majolica stoves, Christmas trees and light installations.
The project also stands out for offering the possibility to stay at the village and live Advent immersed in the decorations and local traditions.
The Christmas Lights Path will be open daily from 16:00 to 21:00. The square will host the main events from Thursday to Sunday and on holidays, with music, choral singing, readings, representations of local traditions and appearances of the Perchten. The stalls will offer regional specialties and hot drinks, while an outdoor fire will provide a convivial space to linger during the visit.
There will also be a life-sized nativity scene, a zoo with animals to pet, and an ice-skating rink. The BIBI Kids Club will offer initiatives for children, from Christmas baking to the holiday post office, including tractor rides, skating in the square and building snowmen.
Stiftsweihnacht am See: Christmas at Ossiach Abbey
From December 4 to 6, the Ossiach Baroque abbey, on the shores of the eponymous lake, will host the Stiftsweihnacht am See, an event that will unite crafts, gastronomy and entertainment. In the abbey courtyard, stalls of artistic craftsmanship, regional specialties, sweets, music, dance and theater will alternate.
The CMA musical program will involve the abbey church and the Alban Berg concert hall, while actors will accompany the audience with stories dedicated to Advent. Among the more distinctive activities are also alpaca excursions from the Reichenhauser family’s farm, scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
Opening hours will be Friday, December 4 from 15:00 to 19:00, Saturday 5 from 11:00 to 19:00 and Sunday 6 from 10:00 to 19:00. On Saturday, December 5, from 16:30, St. Nicholas is also expected, one of the family-focused events.
The event will be accessible by public transport thanks to Postbus connections on the Steindorf–Ossiach–Villach route.
