Christmas Day

**Christmas Day in Austria** is a deeply cherished and festive occasion, celebrated on **December 25th** with a blend of religious traditions, family gatherings, and cultural customs. The holiday season in Austria begins with **Advent**, leading up to Christmas Day, which is the culmination of the celebrations. Austrians celebrate Christmas with a strong emphasis on **family and faith**. Many attend **midnight Mass** on Christmas Eve, known as *Christmette*, where churches are beautifully decorated and filled with the sounds of traditional carols. On Christmas Day, families come together to enjoy a festive meal, often featuring dishes like **roast goose**, **carp**, or **sausages**, accompanied by seasonal treats such as **Christmas cookies** (*Weihnachtskekse*) and **stollen**. Homes are adorned with **nativity scenes** (*Krippe*) and **Christmas trees** (*Christbaum*), which are typically decorated on Christmas Eve. The tree is often lit with real candles, adding a warm and magical glow to the celebrations. Gifts are exchanged on **Christmas Eve**, and children eagerly await the arrival of **Christkind** (the Christ Child), who is believed to bring presents. Austria is also known for its enchanting **Christmas markets** (*Christkindlmärkte*), which run throughout Advent and add to the festive atmosphere with twinkling lights, handmade crafts, and seasonal treats like **mulled wine** (*Glühwein*) and **gingerbread** (*Lebkuchen*). Overall, Christmas Day in Austria is a time of joy, reflection, and togetherness, deeply rooted in tradition and the spirit of the season.