Last year, the Graz Advent attracted almost 1.9 million people to Graz city center. For Graz, this time of year is not only the most contemplative, but also one of the economically most important times of the year.
“In the markets alone, a total turnover of almost five million euros was generated in 33 days last year. The high visitor frequency not only strengthens trade, but also extends the tourist season and brings additional added value to our city center,” emphasized City Councilor for Economic Affairs Kurt Hohensinner (ÖVP) on Wednesday the importance of the Graz Advent.
16 markets and 200 program items
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This year, 16 Advent markets with more than 200 stalls at various locations in the city center are planned in the Styrian capital. There are also countless other attractions – from the ice skating rink in Graz’s Jahngasse, to the fairytale forest at Schlossbergplatz, to the Engerlbakery and alpaca hikes. More than 38 companies and institutions also display nativity scenes in their shop windows, some made by themselves and some on loan from the Diocesan Museum Graz.
According to Hohensinner, there is also some news in addition to the many program items: “This year alone we have 200 program items and activities – for the first time compactly summarized in an online calendar. An audible innovation: With the focus on ‘Sound Traces’, Styrian choirs and musicians will create even more Christmas spirit in various places with well-known Christmas carols.”
760,000 LED lamps installed
The official opening of the Graz Advent will take place on November 21st, and the Christmas lighting will be activated the day before: “Around 760,000 LEDs illuminate more than 60 streets and squares in festive light,” explained organizer Verena Hölzlsauer on Wednesday. “There are innovations and expansions in the Christmas lighting this year at Joanneum- and Opernring, at Mehlplatz and in Annenstrasse.”
The Graz craft markets open a week later. The illumination of the Christmas tree – a tree around 28 meters high from the foot of the Koralpe – is planned for November 29th, which is also the day the popular ice nativity scene in the Landhaushof opens.
Advent anniversary in Mariazell
Advent in Mariazell is taking place for the 25th time this year, and every year it focuses primarily on local crafts and customs, but not only: “The special thing about the Mariazell Advent is its balance: it combines tradition with openness to new things,” says organizer Andreas Schweiger.
This year too, the program is intended to surprise with new features, including a magic light on the Bürgeralpe on the initiative of the new operators there: “From November 20th to January 6th, we are transforming the Bürgeralpe into a magical winter world full of light, sound and emotions that can be seen from afar,” says Johann Kleinhofer, managing director of the Bürgeralpe. The Bürgeralpe Express takes visitors to the top of the mountain, where a sound-to-light laser show is presented.
In total, more than 40 Advent markets are opening in Hochsteiermark, and for Hochsteiermark managing director Ute Gurdet, this marks the beginning of a new season in the region: “Our fifth season begins on November 20th, ceremoniously ushered in by two concerts by the Vienna Boys’ Choir, which take place in the Mariazell Basilica and on the main square in Bruck an der Mur.”
Living nativity scene and angel post office
The Schladming-Dachstein tourist region is already in the Advent mood. The “Schladming Mountain Christmas” starts on November 28th, with local artists, a program for children as well as crafts and culinary delights from the region. Advent begins on the same day at Talbach, where young guests can post their letters to the Christ child at the “Engerlpostamt”.
On the first two weekends of Advent, the village of Pürgg is transformed into a Christmas work of art with a living nativity scene. Instead of stands, the exhibitors open their stables, garages, threshing floors and houses for their handcrafted treasures. There is also baking, crafts and music.
Hikes and “illuminations”
Every year at the Mühlen Advent there is a hike with a new focus on the program; the hikes take place on Tuesdays from December 2nd to 16th. The starting point is the restored old mill in Rössing. From there, the festively decorated path leads past the historic locations of the former Ramsau watermills to the rustic forest tavern in the town of Ramsau.
This year you can experience the “river of heaven” on the light trail in Haus im Ennstal. The light productions tell of the invisible, powerful currents above our heads, of oceans, rivers and lakes that carry their streams of water vapor across continents, cities, deserts, forests and mountains.
