WELS HAS DONE IT! The Upper Austrian town has been named ‘European City of Christmas 2026’ by the Christmas Cities Network in collaboration with the European Parliament. This is the first time a German-speaking city has received the award, which recognises cities that stand out for their outstanding Christmas projects — combined with cultural activities, active community involvement, the quality of their markets and decorations, a commitment to sustainability, and the preservation of tradition and a festive atmosphere! The award ceremony took place on 13 December in Vilnius (Lithuania).
In Waterford (Ireland) on 25 November 2025, the members of the International Jury, chaired by President Dr Danuta Hübner (former EU Commissioner, Member of the European Parliament, EU Minister for Poland), to select the winning cities from the numerous entries for the ‘European Capital of Christmas 2026’. All cities and municipalities in the 27 Member States of the European Union, as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, were eligible to participate in this international competition.
✦ Where to Stay in Wels
➜ All Accommodations
✦ Locations
A romantic mountain hut village
Daily from 11.00 to 21.00
The romantic Bergweihnacht on the town square delights visitors with the world’s largest Christkind figure and a cosy village of larch-wood huts. Local crafts, choirs and brass bands create a festive atmosphere, whilst delicious scents waft through the narrow streets. For children, there’s a children’s train journey through a fairytale forest – and, with a bit of luck, even through a snow flurry. The highlights include the festively illuminated Ledererturm, the Christmas tree in front of the town hall and the impressive Advent wreath with its metre-high candles.
daily from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm
The Winter Magic in Pollheimerpark is an absolute highlight thanks to its atmosphere alone, but it’s also a true feast for the senses. Hearty bratwurst, warming punch, delicious mulled wine, tempting chocolate-dipped fruit, gingerbread hearts, meringue rolls and candyfloss are sure to delight the palate.
Young visitors can look forward to fun on the children’s carousel and the chain swing, as well as endless entertainment at the playground. Young guests can also enjoy an adventure riding and petting the ponies.
daily from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm
The Lions Charity Hut on Ringstraße, between Bäckergasse and Schmidtgasse, has also been a fixture of the Wels Christmas Market for years. Here, you can enjoy a variety of speciality punches and treat yourself to some tasty snacks. It’s all for a good cause.
The atmospheric setting of the Gösser Beer Garden Advent, beneath illuminated chestnut trees, invites you to linger and enjoy yourself.
Finnish glögg, Styrian ‘Verglüher’ and traditional bratwurst are once again among this year’s culinary highlights. Artisans will be on site from Friday to Sunday.
✦ Attractions
- Opening hours:
- Closed Mon & Tue
- Wed. – Fri. from 3 pm to 7 pm
(from December: 9 am – 7 pm), - Sat & Sun from 11 am to 7 pm
- Free entry
- Capacity limited to 25 people at any one time
Anyone who enters the Ledererturm through its magnificent gate will discover the Christmas shop and the Christmas post office. On the top floor, you can catch a glimpse of the heavenly realm of clouds – the Christ Child’s room, from where he sets off on his journeys across the Wels Christmas sky. It’s definitely worth popping a wish list into the postbox; perhaps one or two of your heart’s desires might just come true.
Even outside opening hours, letters to the Christ Child can be posted in the postbox by the Almdorfbühne.
Hundreds of thousands of points of light guide the way along a unique illuminated trail.
Full details of the Wels Light Trail can be found here: https://www.wels.at/lichterpfad
Enjoy a truly special romantic Christmas experience on a horse-drawn carriage ride through Wels town centre, decked out in festive lights.
Dates: to be announced
Time: 14:30 – 17:30
Start: Departure from Almdorfbühne
Route: Almdorfbühne Stadtplatz, Stadtplatz, Ledererturm, Pollheimerpark, Ringstraße, Pfarrgasse, Almdorfbühne Stadtplatz
Prices:
- a flat rate of 5 EUR per person
Tickets are available at the Christkindlstube!
There’s a train running for the little ones in the town square!
70 nursery schools, crèches, after-school care groups and schools are decorating around 70 Christmas trees and 15 Lederer towers, which can be found from Pollheimer Park via the town square to the pedestrian zone along the illuminated path.
Nurseries: Negrellistraße, Noitzmühle branch, Föhrenstraße, Herrengasse, Vogelweide, Herminenhof, Lichtenegg, Siebenbürgerstraße, Neustadt, Wimpassing, GTZ Wels
After-school care centres: Wimpassing, Vogelweide, Neustadt
Primary schools: VS 2 Wels, VS 3 Wels, VS 4 Wels, VS 7 Wels, VS 9 Wels, ISZ Dr.-Schärf-Schule
Toddler group: Kinderfreunde Wels-Hausruck
✦ Impressions
And after Welser Weihnachtswelt?
In 2027, Wels’ town square will once again be transformed into a glittering winter wonderland from January to February. The Wels Eis-8erbahn invites everyone to take a few laps on the ice against the historic backdrop of the town centre. With a generous real-ice surface area of 800 m² (35 m long, 17 m wide), the rink offers plenty of space for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages.
More information: wels.at/eis8erbahn
Questions & Answers
The Welser Weihnachtswelt is open daily from 11.00 to 21.00.
The illuminated walkway is lit up from 4.00 pm.
Free parking:
- 2,200 free parking spaces at the “Messe Wels”exhibition centre, close to the city centre, on days when there are no trade fairs (walking time: approx. 5 minutes to Wels Christmas World)
- Free parking in the paid parking zonefrom 12:00 on Saturdays, as well as on Sundays and public holidays
Paid parking zone:
- 2,000 on-street parking spaces in the city centre (subject to a charge – short-stay zone)
- Maximum parking duration: 120 minutes = 1.00 EURO
Car parks:
- KAISER-JOSEF-PLATZ underground car park
- Gerstl Haus multi-storey car park
- TRAUNPARK underground car park
- MARKTPLATZ underground car park
- Behind the Almdorfbühne on the town square
- In the Freiung
- Public toilet at Stadtplatz 3
You can pay by card at our punch huts. However, this isn’t possible at most of the stalls. There is, however, a cash machine right on the town square where you can withdraw cash.
Yes! Wels Central Station is about a 15-minute walk from the town square.
The Kaiser-Josef-Platz bus hub is also just a few minutes’ walk from the town square.
Admission is FREE. Both the Wels Christmas World and the Lichterpad are free to visit.