Salzburger Weihnachtsmuseum

About the museum

The Salzburg Christmas Museum is based on the collection of Ursula Kloiber. Her passion for the Christmas season dates back to childhood; the elaborate tree decorations she inherited from her grandmother formed the foundation. Over decades she gathered pieces at flea markets and from private sources. The exhibition was first shown in 2000 at the Bavarian National Museum in Munich.

The collection found a permanent home in Salzburg: the former Café Glockenspiel building on Mozartplatz was acquired in 2012 and converted into a museum. Since December 6, 2014, the rooms on the second floor have been open to visitors, in the middle of the old town between the Salzburg Museum and the Residenz. Unlike many Christmas exhibitions, the museum is meant to be visited not only during Advent but almost the whole year.

The main exhibition is titled “Weihnachtszeit – Feste zwischen Advent und Neujahr in Süddeutschland und Österreich 1840–1940” and is divided into eleven themed sections from Advent to New Year's Eve. It shows companions, symbols, decorations, gifts and wishes of the traditional festivities in the Catholic-influenced German-speaking region, including tree ornaments, Krampus figures and works of the Wiener Werkstätten. The exhibition also shows how wars affected the festivities and life at the front and at home; the Second World War marks the end of the collection period.

Highlights

• Historical Christmas tree decorations from 1840 to 1940
• Eleven themed sections from Advent to New Year's Eve
• Krampus figures and St. Nicholas traditions
• Works of the Wiener Werkstätten
• Christmas tree from World War I with cardboard war toys

Permanent exhibition

• Weihnachtszeit – Feste zwischen Advent und Neujahr in Süddeutschland und Österreich 1840–1940 – Historical Christmas tree decorations, nativity and custom pieces in eleven themed sections, from Advent to New Year's Eve.

Founded

2014

Admission & discounts

With the Salzburg Card, admission is free once.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is barrier-free via a private lift; please ask the cashier staff for it. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is above the former Café Glockenspiel at Mozartplatz 2 in the Salzburg old town (pedestrian zone).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit