Magical time
Magical time
Star Advent in Zell am See-Kaprun
There is a very special magic that surrounds Zell am See-Kaprun during the Advent days: It is the time when the Star Advent markets once again light up the first long winter evenings. Taking a stroll between the colourfully decorated Christmas market stalls and admiring the festive lights, everyone can feel it - the excitement about Christmas coming and the quiet time ahead.
Every year, the region’s lovingly decorated Christmas markets open their doors under the name "Star Advent". With bright star decorations, crackling bonfires and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier glowing snow-white, these places are a wonderful way to get in the mood for the great festive season.
1 | Magical pre-Christmas season: Star Advent on the town square in Zell am See
23.11.-22.12.2022 | until 13.12. always Wednesdays to Sundays, from 14.12. daily | from 3 pm
Magical moments await visitors at the Star Advent market on Zell am See's town square. The decorated huts invite to linger and saunter. Wonderful woodwork, aromatic mulled wine, freshly baked Christmas cookies, roasted almonds and Christmas tunes by musicians create a pre-Christmas atmosphere.
2 | Fairytale ambience on the shores of Lake Zell: Star Advent in Elisabeth Park
25.11.-24.12.2022 | Fridays from 4 pm, Saturdays & Sundays from 2 pm
The Christmas stalls in Elisabeth Park, directly on the shores of Lake Zell, will warm your heart. Here, numerous starry lights twinkle in the water and guide visitors through the charming little Advent village during a night-time stroll. And the lovely smells - of mulled wine cloves, hot berry punch and roasted almonds! In between, we warm up by the bonfire or watch the chestnuts crackle in the oven.
Our tip:
If you really want to get into the Christmas spirit, going on an adventurous panoramic round trip on board the MS Schmittenhöhe is a must. You glide along Lake Zell well supplied with mulled wine, punch and Christmas cookies, while admiring the surrounding snowy mountains.
3 | Everything for the festive table: Parish Advent on the Kirchbichl in Kaprun
Saturday, 26 & Sunday, 27 November 2022 | from 2 pm
Over the first Advent weekend, the market on the Kirchbichl in Kaprun attracts visitors with regional delicacies at the stalls. We especially recommend this market for those with a sweet tooth and those who appreciate fine food! The Katschner bakery provides homemade baked goods from the wood-fired oven, and there are also regional products for the Christmas menu to be discovered. For suitable gifts to put under the Christmas tree, browse the stalls of the region’s craftsmen and women. And if you haven't bought an Advent wreath yet: the Advent market on the Kirchbichl is your chance to buy beautiful hand-tied wreaths for your home - just in time for the first Advent Sunday.
4 | Classical Christmas atmosphere: Traditional Christmas Market at Sportresort Alpenblick
07.-21.12.2022 | Every Wednesday | from 4 pm
At the small Christmas market of the Sportresort Alpenblick in Zell am See, classic winter romance and a "Christmas as it used to be" feeling are in the air. You can experience authentic customs and traditional Christmas as it has always been celebrated every Wednesday in the small courtyard of the resort: Wonderful Christmas music, the smell of gingerbread and Pinzgau farmer's doughnuts whet your appetite, and even St. Nicholas and his Krampuses pay a visit to the market.
5| Fairytale: Star Advent at Kaprun Castle
Saturday, 10 & Sunday, 11 December 2022 | from 11 am
One of the highlights of the Advent programme is the Star Advent at Kaprun Castle: this Advent market enchants with its almost kitschy beauty and the very special atmosphere that prevails in the inner courtyard of the castle. The snow covers the thick walls, the colourful stalls and bright lights immerse everything in a warm light, and you can feel the bustling excitement everywhere. In this fairytale setting, more than 30 exhibitors are waiting to show visitors their special Christmas creations. The entertainment programme at Kaprun Castle is also diverse: among other things, you can experience the performance of the Nutcracker fairy tale, numerous puppet shows and Christmas concerts here.
6 | Home-cooked & handmade: Christmas market in Thumersbach
Saturday, 10 December from 2 pm & Sunday, 11 December 2022 from 1 pm
At the small Christkindl Market on the village square in Thumersbach, the main focus is on handmade and home-cooked goods. If you are looking for inspiration for gifts, this is definitely the place to be: in addition to culinary specialities, there is also Pinzgau craftsmanship to admire. Hobby artists sell their products here, and a colourful supporting programme - including handicrafts for children - provides pre-Christmas variety.
Finally, we want to share some pre-Christmas spirit to take home with you. How can we do that? We asked an expert for a cookie recipe that is sure to work at home. Christian Ahorner, who sells his delicious cookies at the Star Advent on Lake Zell, shared his recipe for black and white cookies with us.
Have fun baking and enjoying the Star Advent!
Enjoy the Star Advent at home:
Recipe for "black and white cookies"
Ingredients:
- 300 g flour
- 100 g icing sugar
- 125 g soft butter
- 1 egg
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 egg white to coat
Preparation:
Knead the flour, icing sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, egg and butter into a dough, first with a hand mixer, then briefly by hand. Divide the dough in half, make one half into a ball and wrap in foil, knead the cocoa and milk into the other half. Now make this dough into a ball and wrap it in foil. Chill both halves of the dough in the fridge for about 60 minutes.
Then roll out both halves of the dough into a rectangle (each approx. 30x20 cm). Brush each half of the dough with egg white, place on top of each other and roll up tightly. Chill again for 30 minutes.
Using a sharp knife, cut the dough roll into approx. 5 mm thick slices and place on baking trays lined with baking paper. Bake in a preheated oven (175° C or 155° C convection oven) for about 10-12 minutes, and then leave the cookies to cool completely.
