The Lienz Advent Market is reopening its doors

Advent in Lienz - be a child again!  Under this motto, the main square and the Liebburg, the city hall, transform into the unique Lienz Advent market during the pre-Christmas period: 35 Artfully decorated stalls, Fairy lights, fireplaces, the scent of gingerbread, Kiachln, mulled wine, and hot tea, accompanied by atmospheric sounds - these are the ingredients that make the Lienz Advent special. Original gift ideas, Christmas decorations, traditional crafts, and culinary delights make the Advent market a sociable and atmospheric meeting place for the whole family; and with a bit of luck, the snow starts to gently fall during this time…

In addition to the one in Innsbruck, the Lienz Advent market is one of the most traditional in Tyrol. First held in 1997 at Johannesplatz - then still as a Christkindlmarkt - now around 60 events accompany the happenings between the end of November and December 24, which now take place at the main square in front of the Lienz town hall.

It will open on November 21 at 2 p.m., and will then remain open daily until December 24.

Opening hours:

 24. Dezember                                                    09:00 bis 13:00 Uhr

Socially active associations also represented at the Advent market

Also at the 29th Lienz Advent market, there are two stands of socially active associations throughout the event.

A total of seven associations look forward to visitors to enjoy the pre-Christmas atmosphere in a festive setting. The net proceeds generated at the stands will be used for social and humanitarian projects benefiting those in need, mainly in the Lienz district and occasionally abroad.

The following socially active associations present themselves at the Lienz Advent Market:

Hand in Hand - 21st to 23rd November

Training Fit East Tyrol - 24th November to 27th November

Krebshilfe Tirol  - 28th to 30th November

Diakonia de la Tour - 1st to 4th December

Rotary Club - 5th to 8th December

HAK Lienz in favor of SoLaLi - 9th to 10th December

ÖZIV - 11th to 18th December

Education brings peace - 19th to 24th December

The Great Advent Calendar at the City Hall of Lienz

It is the special attraction at the Lienz Advent Market, the large art calendar at the City Hall of the city, the Liebburg. Artists transform the 24 windows of the Liebburg into large calendar pictures for the 28th time.

Every day at 6:30 pm, the Advent market becomes a social and cultural meeting point. In the company of good friends and acquaintances, market visitors experience the opening of the Advent calendar window and thus get in the mood for the Christmas season.

The original pictures for the Advent calendar are presented in a special exhibition and publicly auctioned on January 9, 2026, in an exciting art auction in the council chamber of the Liebburg. The large Lienz Advent calendar is organized by the service club Round Table 22 Lienz with the support of the city of Lienz. The proceeds from the art auction benefit people in need from the region as well as "Light in the Dark".

The Night Watchman

The multilingual night watchman Hannes Rohracher is once again on duty this year. He is an information person for guests - especially for historical details of our city - a popular photo motif and also likes to take the time for a chat with visitors to the Advent market.

At nightfall, he starts his rounds at the Lienz Advent market with a lantern and halberd, looks after things, takes care of the concerns and questions of the guests, and is particularly happy to help the little market visitors. At precisely 9:00 pm, market life ends with his traditional night call. The lights in the Advent stalls go out and silence returns to the main square in Lienz...

Lebende Werkstätte

In der lebenden Werkstätte zeigen Handwerker und Künstler ihr Können, geben direkt vor Ort Einblick in ihre Kunst und lassen sich gerne von den Gästen und Besuchern bei ihrer Arbeit über die Schulter schauen.

Im stimmungsvollen Ambiente laden die Handwerker zum Zuschauen und Mitmachen ein. Am ersten Wochenende entführen Sie die Irschener Kräuterfrauen ins mystische Reich der Kräuter und laden zum Tee-Verkosten ein. Das Schmutzerhaus Mörtschach zeigt Schafwollprodukte und gewährt Einblick in die Kunst des Filzens. Beim Sieden von Seifen, Anfertigen von Glückwunschkarten, Herstellen von Puppen und Weihnachtsschmuck informieren die Kunsthandwerker gerne über die Abläufe und Schritte der Herstellung ihrer Exponate.

Opening hours:

21. Nov. – 14. Dez.

Vereinscup - Lattlschießen am Adventmarkt

Der Lienzer City Ring und das Stadtmarketing Lienz laden wieder zum großen Vereinscup zum Lattlschießen am Lienzer Adventmarkt. Im stimmungsvollen Ambiente am Hauptplatz wird dafür extra der Kunsteislaufplatz jeden Tag in der Adventzeit ab 18 Uhr bereitgestellt und der große Vereinscup ausgeschrieben.

Die Mannschaftsgröße kann 3 bis 20 TeilnehmerInnen umfassen, gewertet wird das Durch- schnittsergebnis der Gesamtmannschaft. Das Nenngeld beträgt € 3,-- pro TeilnehmerIn, die Eisstöcke werden direkt am Eislaufplatz zur Verfügung gestellt. Mitzubringen ist lediglich gute Laune und der Ehrgeiz, mit Freunden den großen Lienzer Vereinscup am Adventmarkt für den eigenen Verein zu gewinnen. Der Lienzer City Ring dotiert den Cup mit € 1.000,-- Preisgeld in Form von City Ring-Gutscheinen. Anmeldung im Stadtmarketingbüro unter: Tel. 04852 600 223.

Schlittschuhlaufen für Kinder

Tagsüber ist der Schlittschuhplatz am Hauptplatz für Kinder bis 10 Jahre in Begleitung einer Aufsichtsperson zum Schlittschuhlaufen frei zugänglich. Schlittschuhe können zu den Adventmarkt-Öffnungszeiten beim Adventstand Nr. 19 kostenlos ausgeliehen werden.

Lienz Family Advent

For families, there is a very special offer from December 15th to 19th: The city of Lienz invites all children, together with their parents, to craft, sing, write Christkindl letters, play, and much more in cooperation with the Parent-Child Center from 3:00 to 7:00 pm in the heated pavilion at the Christmas market.

Highlight at 4:00 pm:

Montag:          Lebkuchen-Verzieren mit Bäckermeister Joast

Dienstag:        Mayor Blanik liest Weihnachtsgeschichten

Mittwoch:        Der Förster erzählt

Donnerstag:    The Night Watchman vom Adventmarkt erzählt

Freitag:           Besuch des Weihnachtsengels

Nativity scene exhibition on the ground floor of the town hall, the Liebburg

In the special ambiance of the Liebburg, members and friends of the Lienz Nativity Scene Association exhibit their lovingly crafted and prepared cribs, providing insight into the traditional art of crib making.

Not only do many children look forward to the exhibition of the diverse small replicas of the birthplace of Jesus Christ, but adults also flock to the town hall exhibition to immerse themselves in memories of their own childhood, following the motto of the Lienz Advent.

Opening hours:

5th to 14th December

Monday - Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Lienz Krampus Days

The Lienz Krampus Days on December 3rd, 5th, and 6th are one of the spectacular highlights of the pre-Christmas period. Following centuries-old tradition, young men hide behind intricately hand-carved masks, wrap themselves in thick, shaggy furs, and adorn themselves with huge bells to participate as "Krampuses" in parades and processions.

Preparation time begins for the members of the Lienz St. Nicholas and Krampus Association as early as the first days of autumn. The masks, known as "larvae", are carved from wood, furs cleaned and cut, and sturdy belts made to carry the heavy bells.

Right on December 3rd, the processions and runs of the Krampuses begin in Lienz. Barricades and stewards separate the wild figures from the spectators and visitors of the processions, ensuring that the Lienz Krampus Days become a beautiful and eventful event where guests, parents, and children are warmly welcomed.

Krampusumzüge:

December 3, 7:30 p.m.: Johannesplatz with St. Nicholas gift giving (city center)

December 5, 7:30 p.m.: District of Patriasdorf with St. Nicholas gift giving

December 6, 6:30 p.m.: Arrival of the young Krampuses in the city center

Original Lienzer Lebzelt 1644®, kulinarische Spezialität im Advent

The Original Lienzer Lebzelt 1644® has a very ancient tradition. Coming from monasteries, the aromatic creations made their way into medieval bakeries. This also happened in those of Schloss Bruck, where the most beautiful among the Lebzelt models there was brought back to life.

The bakers and confectioners of Lienz revived the old tradition of Lebzelterei in 2006. Exquisite spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise, ginger, fennel, and coriander determine the delicate flavor of the new Lienzer Lebzelt based on traditional production. The handmade Lebzelt is filled with Tyrolean cranberries. The pattern embossed in finest marzipan encloses the top of the Original Lienzer Lebzelt 1644®.

The Original Lienzer Lebzelt 1644® is offered for sale in a beautiful and sturdy gift packaging with freshness seal and manufacturer"s certificate. The handmade Lienzer Lebzelt is available exclusively in sizes of 25x25 cm, 13x13 cm, and as pralines of 7.5 x 7.5 cm at the following Lienz bakers and confectioners:

• Glanzl Confectionery
• Gruber Bakery
• Joast Bakery

www.adventinlienz.at