Villacher Advent
Visitors can wander through four themed squares across the historic city center, experiencing glowing light displays, traditional crafts, and seasonal foods. Offerings include handmade artisan gifts around Nikolaiplatz, cozy culinary huts on the Hauptplatz, and festive stalls surrounding the Stadtpfarrkirche. The event also features an open-air ice rink under a canopy of lights at Rathausplatz and family attractions like a children's train and pony riding.
What to Expect
Four festive squares filled with artisan crafts, seasonal treats, and ice skating.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Old Town
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Stadtmarketing Villach GmbH
Food & Drink
Hauptplatz huts serve hearty specialties, sweets and warm drinks including Glühwein and Spätzle, while stalls around the Stadtpfarrkirche offer culinary treats.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children and christmas-market shoppers
Vibe
Festive and cozy
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Kinderzug: 1 ride €3, 4 rides €10, 10 rides €20; special per-ride prices for kindergarten groups of 20 or more: €1 per child, groups of 50 or more: €0.50 per child, and children with physical disabilities: €0.50 per child. Adult accompanying persons for children aged 0–4 ride free; accompanying adults for children aged 4–8 pay €0.50. Kinderkarussell: 1 ride €3, 4 rides €10, 10 rides €20. Ponyreiten: one ride €5.
- Hours: Feierliche Eröffnung: 18:00 Uhr; Ablauf: 18:00 Andacht, 18:30 offizielle Eröffnung und Entzünden der Weihnachtsbeleuchtung, 19:00 Eröffnungs-Show. Kinderzug: täglich 10:00–19:00, except December 24, 10:00–16:00. Kinderkarussell: täglich 10:00–19:00. Ponyreiten: Fridays 14:00–18:00; Saturdays and Sundays 11:00–18:00; December 8, 11:00–18:00.
Tips & Advice
- Download the movevo4kids Family App before you go so the kids can do the Adventrally, collecting stamps at twelve QR-code stations around the city centre.
- Save the Kinderzug for a dry day, because the children's train on the Hauptplatz doesn't run in bad weather.
- Plan pony rides for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or December 8, the only days the Pony Station at the Unterer Kirchenplatz is open.
- Visit the Kunstadvent on Nikolaiplatz before Christmas, since it closes on December 24, while the Hüttenadvent keeps going through New Year's Eve.
- Bring kindergarten groups of 20 or more for reduced Kinderzug fares. Adults accompanying children up to age four ride free.
Special Events & Promotions
- November 13: festive opening, free to attend. It begins with a devotion in St. Jakob, followed by the lighting of the Christmas lights on Oberer Kirchenplatz and an opening show at Eiszeit on the Rathausplatz.
- November 13 to December 11: Villacher Adventrally & Fotocontest by MOVEVO. Use the movevo4kids Family App to collect stamps at twelve QR-code stations, with a surprise and a photo contest.
- KinderKekseParadies for kids on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, November 17 to December 16.
- Stadtpfarrturm im Advent: the parish church tower is open Thursday to Sunday through January 3. It is closed December 24 and 25.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's on each of the four squares?
Kunstadvent on Nikolaiplatz has handmade art, fire bowls and feeding cribs, facing the Nikolaikirche. Hüttenadvent on the Hauptplatz has huts serving hearty specialities, sweets and warm drinks, from Glühwein to Spätzle. Marktadvent, around the Stadtpfarrkirche and along 10.-Oktober-Straße, has 30 exhibitors selling gifts, decorations and food. Eiszeit on the Rathausplatz is an ice rink under a canopy of lights.
What is there for children?
On the Hauptplatz there's a Kinderzug and a carousel with colourful horses. Pony rides are at the Unterer Kirchenplatz. Kids can also bake at the KinderKekseParadies or do the Adventrally, which has twelve QR-code stations around the city centre.
Does the children's train run in bad weather?
No, the Kinderzug doesn't run in bad weather.
Can I go ice skating?
Yes. Eiszeit on the Rathausplatz has an open-air ice rink under a canopy of lights. It stays open until the end of February 2027.
Are there reduced fares on the children's train?
Yes. Kindergarten groups of 20 or more, and of 50 or more, get reduced per-ride prices, as do children with physical disabilities. Adults accompanying children up to age 4 ride free. Adults accompanying children aged 4 to 8 pay a reduced fare.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.