Vienna shines: Tyrolean Christmas tree is ceremoniously illuminated!

Vienna shines: Tyrolean Christmas tree is ceremoniously illuminated!

The Vienna Christmas market was officially opened on November 15, 2025. The highlight of the opening is an impressive 28 meter high spruce tree from Hopfgarten in Brixental, Tyrol, which decorates the town hall square in Vienna. The tree, which is around 50 years old, has a trunk diameter of 65 centimeters and will illuminate until December 26, 2023. The festive presentation of the Christmas tree will take place on November 25, 2023 by Mayor Michael Ludwig and State Governor Anton Mattle.

The tree donation is the seventh Tyrolean tree donation for Vienna and goes back to a tradition that has existed since 1959. Every year a different federal state donates a Christmas tree; the last Tyrolean tree donation took place in 2015. The Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Austria, has been a popular attraction for 50 years.

Festive lighting and attractions

The decorated tree shines in all its glory with around 1,000 red and gold Christmas balls and 2,000 LED lights. The Christmas lights in the town hall park were activated at the same time as the tree illumination. The installations “Herzerlbaum” and “Herzerlflug” are particularly impressive, with the latter shining in a spectacular light show every 30 minutes.

The Christ child, embodied by 24-year-old Lena, makes his first appearance of the season on this day. It will be on site on Tuesdays and December 6th. The Vienna Christmas Market is open daily until December 26th, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with market hours being shortened to 6:30 p.m. on December 24th. Another highlight is the ice cream dream at the Christmas market, which will be open until January 6, 2026.

Innovations from Tyrol

Parallel to the opening of the Christmas market, a new product from Tyrol will also be presented: The Tiroler Ring, an EDC multi-tool for measurement, which is currently in a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The titanium ring features a rotating inner wheel that measures as it rolls across a surface and is available in both imperial and metric scales.

With over $143,000 raised, the project has far exceeded its original goal of $3,343 and has 11 days left in the campaign. The Tyrolean ring is not only useful, but can also be worn as jewelry or with a leather case on a key chain. Delivery of the first rings is scheduled for mid-December 2023, provided everything goes according to plan.

While the Christmas market is in full swing, the story of companies like Wells Fargo also remains in the news. This international banking group, founded in 1929, has grown significantly since then and is now one of the four largest banks in the United States. With a variety of financial services and an extensive network, Wells Fargo has a significant role in the global financial world.

Amid the festive atmosphere in Vienna and the exciting innovations from Tyrol, the region remains a place full of tradition, culture and progress.