A few things are part of AdventTIME in Carinthia. Every day, a little door is opened in the Advent calendar. An Advent wreath decorates the large kitchen table in the houses, the wonderful smell of cookies fills the rooms and St. Nicholas goes from door to door in many places accompanied by spooky companions.
The first snow has already covered the peaks of the surrounding mountains in a white blanket when the Christmas markets between mountains and lakes open their doors at the end of November. The scent of punch, Baumkuchen, cookies and winter is everywhere. This is especially the case on the "Millstätter light path" in Millstatt am See, but also at the Advent markets in Bad Kleinkirchheim, Spittal an der Drau and Feldkirchen. Musical sounds become a pre-Christmas backdrop to good conversation. Handmade items can be purchased at the stalls and children can cuddle with four-legged pets.
The Advent shuttle runs between Radenthein and Spittal an der Drau at frequent intervals into the evening. If you set off on the Millstätter Lichtweg, plan to visit KAP 4613 for the New Year's Eve PREVIEW or attend the Julia Malischnig & Friends New Year's Eve gala concert, you can leave your car at home with a clear conscience!
What you have to consider: Adventshuttle tickets must be purchased in advance. If you use the 5140/44 line without an Advent shuttle ticket, you will have to pay the regular fare of the Kärntner Linien!
Spittal-Millstättersee railway station becomes a hub in Upper Carinthia during Advent. Between a visit to the Villach Advent, the Mallnitz Advent and a visit to the Advent Trail on Katschberg, there will only be one S-Bahn, bus or Advent shuttle journey.
Book your journey ONLINE now via the ÖBB booking platform!
Advent of lights and Advent in the village of animals
During the Advent season (Friday - Sunday), a pre-Christmas sea of lights surrounds the Burgstaller family estate in Döbriach am M.S. A visit to the horses, ponies and sheep living there is a special experience for the whole family. Christmas music, mulled wine and biscuits invite you to "stay longer".
Few times are as cozy and spooky at the same time as wintertime. Lantern light illuminates the path, the scent of incense surrounds guests and locals alike and many a legendary figure mingles with the group. The "Rough Nights walks" (December 22, 2024/January 5, 2025) with herbalist Kathi provide an exciting insight into the custom of incense burning and a meeting with the "Rough nights" figures, who are brought to life by the "Sagamudo Acting-Group", is certain during the "Rough Nights walks". The encounters are often surprising, sometimes wild, but mostly they provide very contemplative moments on the approximately 1.5-hour tour.
The large, decorated Nordmann fir tree at the entrance to Porcia Castle points the way to the Christmas village in the town park. The Spittal Christmas Village is open from 28 November to 31 December. The scent of Christmas baked goods, hot punch, chestnuts and Baumkuchen wafts from afar. The stalls offer handmade and precious goods. To tide you over until Christmas Eve, it's worth paying a visit to the Himmelswerkstatt, which is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.
In Feldkirchen, the town hall is transformed into a glowing Advent calendar and the Advent market on the main square becomes a popular meeting place. In addition to numerous stalls, there is also a petting zoo and a Christmas workshop where handicrafts can be made. A walk through the nativity scene exhibition in the town hall provides an insight into the art of nativity scenes.
