Two months before the festive season

The Christ Child arrives in Vienna for two months

The Christmas tree in front of Schönbrunn Palace (shown here being delivered) is already up.(Bild: Manfred Szieber)

The Christmas tree is already up in Schönbrunn and the first Christmas markets will soon open. Cookies, Advent calendars and gingerbread are already on sale. Christmas hustle and bustle two months before the festive season: too early or just right?

The scent of baked apples and cinnamon, candlelight and sweet punch. Some can hardly wait, for others it's too early. The fact is: the hustle and bustle around Christmas has begun in Vienna - two months before the festivities. On Wednesday, the Christmas tree was put up in front of Schönbrunn Palace. A stately fir tree from the Federal Forestry Office in the Salzkammergut. And the Advent markets are already being set up:

• Stephansplatz and Schönbrunn both start first on November 8. An ice skating rink (free for children), carousel, Ferris wheel and a traditional craft workshop await in front of the imperial palace. The new concept focuses on "village character" and families.

In Schönbrunn, there will be an ice skating rink at the Christmas market for the first time (visualization).(Bild: imperial markets)

• Rathausplatz, Belvedere, Altes AKH, Freyung, Am Hof and the art market on Karlsplatz with street theater and creative crafts will follow on November 15.

• The winter market in the Museumsquartier, including a curling rink and miniature car race, opens its doors the day before, on November 14.

• The Prater attracts visitors from November 16 with live music, street food and some of the most popular rides.

• Ecological, organic and vegan is the focus at the romantic Spittelberg, the market also starts on November 16.

Let's go back to the Christmas market in front of the town hall. Visitors can look forward to a nativity scene trail, carousel, a beautiful ice-skating rink and the popular "Herzerlbaum" (heart tree), including Bussi Square.

The popular heart tree on the town hall square.(Bild: Martin A. Jöchl)

In the children's hut (free of charge) there are hands-on programs for 3 to 12-year-olds. Of course, the Christ Child snows in for the little ones.

Has this awakened your anticipation? In the shops, business with the festive season has long since begun. Advent calendars, cookies and gingerbread fill the shelves. Christmas decorations are hanging in the streets (see below) and the displays are festively decorated. That leaves the weather. There's no snow in sight yet. But many Viennese probably don't want it until December 24.