Wolfgangseer Advent

The Wolfgangseer Advent is a uniquely distributed Christmas market experience set across three charming villages — St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, and Strobl — on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee in Upper Austria's Salzkammergut region. Running since 2003, this beloved Advent celebration connects its three distinct markets by scenic boat service, making the journey between villages as memorable as the destinations themselves. Each village brings its own character to the celebration. St. Wolfgang enchants visitors with a lantern-lit market winding through the entire village, accompanied by traditional Weisenbläser brass music and a breathtaking nativity landscape featuring more than 70 life-size Salzkammergut figures scattered throughout the parish garden. St. Gilgen dazzles with a Baroque-themed market on the church square, where stalls painted by artist Raja Schwahn-Reichmann and a towering 16-meter Peace Lantern glowing on the lakeshore create an unforgettable atmosphere. Strobl transforms into a romantic Nativity village, where a shepherd's path guides visitors through 30 stalls roofed with real wooden shingles, offering regional culinary specialties and handcrafted gifts. Beyond the markets, visitors can ride the historic Schafberg Railway through snowy mountain forests up to Schafbergalm (1,364 m), or ascend the Zwölferhorn by cable car in just 11 minutes for panoramic lake views. Lantern boat cruises depart from St. Wolfgang on Wednesday evenings, featuring live music and storytelling. Admission to all three markets is free, and on Sundays children under 14 ride the boat and Schafberg Railway at no charge when accompanied by an adult. Plan to arrive early on weekends, as boat queues can be long — and dress warmly, as you'll be outdoors for most of the day.