Gmunden Downtown Advent: 4th Weekend of Advent, Dec. 18–20, 2026

Free admission—a charming Advent market in downtown Gmunden

Program for the 4th Advent Weekend (December 18–20, 2026)

Advent Singing in the Arkadenhof
Let the festive sounds of the Edelweiß double quartet get you in the Christmas spirit. In the festively decorated courtyard of Hut Haas, Kammerhofgasse.
Friday, December 18, Start: 6:15 p.m.

Alpaca Hikes
Fluffy companions on festive trails: The alpaca walks take you through the sparkling downtown area of Gmunden.
Meeting point: Rathausplatz, during the Advent market, until around 6:00 p.m.

Christmas Tree Dive
Ice diving with a twist: Experience the water rescue team’s spectacular Christmas tree dive! On Saturday, December 19, starting at 5 p.m. (supporting program begins at noon), brave divers will plunge into the wintry Traunsee at Town Hall Square—a fascinating spectacle for young and old alike. Be there in person and let this unique Advent highlight inspire you!

Embers and Iron at Rathausplatz
At Rathausplatz, you can watch a traditional blacksmith at work—sparks fly, the iron glows, and with powerful hammer blows, unique pieces take shape. Here you can buy handmade good-luck charms and small gifts—each one one-of-a-kind and a piece of living craftsmanship.

Fête Noël on Traungasse and at the Market Square
Christmas—chic and cozy!
Tuesday, December 8 & Saturday, December 19
For two days, Traungasse around the market square transforms into a small, charming Christmas stage: Every half hour between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m., a small Christmas highlight takes place in a participating store, gallery, or studio.
Crafts, culinary delights, unique gift ideas, and creative surprises invite you to explore, linger, and enjoy. Behind it all are passionate people, small businesses with character, and distinctive venues that lend the downtown area a very special atmosphere.
Accompanied by French Christmas carols, the sounds of a barrel organ, and festive tower fanfares, a Christmas program unfolds that doesn’t have to be loud to leave a lasting impression.
If you’d like to join in, simply follow the Route Noël—from place to place, from idea to idea, and right into the heart of the pre-Christmas spirit.
A little strolling. A little wonder. Lots of Christmas.
An initiative of the Gmunden Old Town Creative Mile—more info at: www.kreativmeile.at

Free rides
on the entire Traunseetram route and Citybus lines 511, 512, and 513, including extended operating hours on Advent shopping Saturdays and on December 8 in Gmunden.

Creative Ceramics Workshop
Creative events. Advent in Gmunden
Things are getting especially cozy this Advent at the open-concept ceramics studio & café Clay Project (Kammerhofgasse 7/2). Discover this little city hideaway with its cozy courtyard and design your own ceramics.
On the fourth weekend of Advent, you can paint ceramics at any time.
Details, dates & booking: www.clayproject.at/advent-gmunden

A small, charming market at Rathausplatz and Rinnholzplatz
Culinary delights, fine punch variations, regional handicrafts, and the diverse shops in Gmunden’s downtown area during the pre-Christmas season invite you to take a leisurely stroll.
Advent Market Hours:
Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Candle Making at Rinnholzplatz
With a little patience and creativity, you can create unique candles to decorate your Advent wreath, brighten up your home, or bring joy as a heartfelt Christmas gift. Candle-making together invites young and old alike to consciously experience the anticipation of Christmas and share special moments with one another. Every candle you make yourself is a one-of-a-kind creation and brings a touch of festive warmth to the Christmas season.

Nativity Scene Exhibition at the K-Hof Museum
The Kammerhof Museum in Gmunden houses one of Upper Austria’s most valuable nativity scene collections. Highlights include the artistically carved Baroque nativity figures by the Schwanthaler family of sculptors. A special experience that brings the nativity scene tradition of the Salzkammergut to life.

Winter Wonderland
At Rathausplatz, next to the town hall entrance (on the right), a diverse Winter Wonderland awaits the little ones. Playing, crafting small Christmas gifts, marveling, dreaming—all of this enchants and makes children’s eyes sparkle. Discover the pre-Christmas playroom in the heart of Gmunden and bring your friends along to make the wait for the Christ Child go by faster.
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Advent weekends: Fri. 3–6 p.m. and Sat. 2–6 p.m.

Christmas mailbox at the market square & Christmas window displays on Kirchengasse
Do you dream of glittering snowflakes, twinkling lights, and a Christmas full of wonders? Or does your very own Christmas fairy tale look completely different?
Let your imagination run wild and paint your dream of Christmas! Drop your artwork into the Christmas mailbox at the market square, and with a little Christmas luck, your picture will become part of something truly magical: Maybe your friends and family will discover your little masterpiece in the big Christmas window display on Kirchengasse.
Who knows—maybe your drawing will make not only children’s eyes but also many adults’ hearts shine a little brighter.