Welser Weihnachtswelt - Bergweihnacht

The Bergweihnacht at Wels's historic Stadtplatz is the centerpiece of the Welser Weihnachtswelt, a Christmas celebration so exceptional that Wels was named European City of Christmas 2026 — the first German-speaking city ever to receive this honor from the Christmas Cities Network in cooperation with the European Parliament. Set against the backdrop of the illuminated Ledererturm tower and the grand Christmas tree in front of the Rathaus, this romantic mountain hut village transports visitors into an alpine winter wonderland right in the heart of the city. The Bergweihnacht features a charming village of larch wood chalets housing regional artisans and craftspeople, while choirs and brass ensembles fill the air with festive music. The market's most iconic attraction is the world's largest Christ Child figure, a truly unique landmark that draws visitors from across Austria and beyond. Children delight in the miniature train that winds through a fairy-tale forest, occasionally treated to a dusting of artificial snow. The illuminated Ledererturm tower can be explored inside, where visitors discover a Christmas grocery shop, a Christmas post office, and the heavenly cloud realm of the Christ Child on the top floor — all free of charge, though capacity is limited to 25 people at a time. Beyond the Bergweihnacht, the broader Welser Weihnachtswelt includes the Winterzauber im Pollheimerpark and the Gösser Biergarten Advent, plus a spectacular 1.7 km Lichterpfad illuminated by 750,000 LED lights. Horse-drawn carriage rides through the festively lit inner city depart from the Almdorfbühne stage for just €5 per person. Open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, the Bergweihnacht is ideal for a full evening of festive exploration.