Christmas wishes for in-laws USA families love to send at the holidays carry warmth, gratitude, and a little American cheer. Whether you are writing to your mother-in-law in Texas, your father-in-law in Ohio, or your brother-in-law and sister-in-law across the country, the right words can make the family dinner feel even closer. This list brings together heartfelt, funny, and short messages made for American homes, snowy mornings, and long drives home for Christmas. In-laws become family in the truest sense at Christmas. They welcome you to the table, share treasured recipes, cheer for the same football team, and help trim the tree. A thoughtful wish thanks them for that welcome and tells them how much their love means through the year. Use these 45 wishes in a card, a text, a holiday letter, or a toast at the table. Pick one that fits your family, add a personal line about a shared memory, and send it early so it arrives before the turkey is carved and the eggnog is poured. Last up...
Christmas in Klagenfurt is Carinthia at its most magical. The lakeside capital of southern Austria pairs a proper old town Christmas market with something few Austrian cities can offer: Advent on the water, on Lake Wörthersee, with snow on the Karawanks mountains behind it. For festive Austria without the crowds of Vienna or Salzburg, this is the trip.
At the heart of it all is the Christkindlmarkt on Neuer Platz, where the stone Lindwurm dragon watches over more than 50 stalls, Carinthian choirs sing from the main stage, and the smell of mulled wine and incense drifts through the arcaded streets. Beyond the market lie lakeside promenades, a world-famous wooden tower and easy day trips to Velden and Villach. Dates shift yearly, so confirm the season on visitklagenfurt.at before you travel.
Last updated: October 25, 2026
Jump to: Markets and Old Town | Lakeside Advent | Viewpoints and Winter Wonders | Food and Traditions | Day Trips and Finales | For Every Traveller | FAQs
Christmas Markets and Old Town Magic
1. Browse the Christkindlmarkt on Neuer Platz
The main market is the essential Klagenfurt experience. More than 50 exhibitors sell hand-carved nativity figures, hand-blown baubles, knitted clothing and wooden toys, while Carinthian innkeepers serve regional dishes at the food stalls.
2. Enjoy live music at the Domplatz market
A short walk away, the smaller Domplatz market leans into music, with traditional performances giving it a gentler atmosphere. Linger here with Glühwein, Austria's spiced mulled wine.
3. Wander the arcaded courtyards of the Old Town
Klagenfurt's Old Town holds 57 arcaded courtyards, glowing with lights and small displays at Christmas. Walk from Alter Platz past Renaissance facades and the Landhaus, then loop back through the lanes for window shopping.
Lakeside Advent on Lake Wörthersee
4. Take an Advent boat trip on Lake Wörthersee
Advent boat trips link the lakeside Advent spots around Wörthersee, turning the journey itself into the attraction. From the water you see the lake, the hills and the lit-up shoreline in one sweeping view.
5. See the floating Advent wreath in Velden
Velden, at the western end of the lake, is the showpiece of lakeside Advent. Its bay holds a huge floating wreath with four giant candles, lit progressively through Advent, beside the grand Schloss Velden on the waterfront.
6. Watch the Christmas tree sinking at Ostbucht
One of Carinthia's strangest and most moving traditions happens on the Sunday before Christmas at Klagenfurt's Ostbucht bay: a Christmas tree is carried into the lake with torches and lights, in memory of those who have died in the water.
Viewpoints and Winter Wonders
7. Climb the Pyramidenkogel tower
The Pyramidenkogel, on the southern shore of the lake, is the highest wooden viewing tower in the world. In winter the panorama of snow-covered lake and mountains is spectacular, and a small Christmas market at the foot of the tower makes the trip down worthwhile.
8. Visit Minimundus in its winter mood
Minimundus, the miniature world on the Wörthersee shore, takes on a special charm in winter light. It is a good bad-weather option on a grey December day.
9. Step back in time at the Maria Saal open-air museum
Just north of the city, the Maria Saal open-air museum sets Advent among historic farmhouses, with crafts, music and a cosy, old-fashioned atmosphere that families love.
Carinthian Food, Drink and Traditions
10. Taste Reindling and Kletzenbrot
Carinthian Christmas baking deserves its own stop. Reindling is the region's beloved yeasted cake, often served with coffee, while Kletzenbrot is a dense fruit bread made with dried pears, figs, apricots and nuts.
11. Learn the Advent customs of Carinthia
Carinthian Advent has customs you will not meet elsewhere: Räuchern, the smoking of homes with incense to drive away bad luck, Krampus and Perchten processions in early December, and village Advent wreath traditions.
12. Hear a choir concert in the cathedral
Carinthia's choirs are famous across Austria, and Advent concerts in Klagenfurt Cathedral and the city churches are a highlight of the season. The main-stage choir programme is free.
Day Trips and Festive Finales
13. Add Villach Advent to your trip
Villach, under an hour west by train, decorates its old town beautifully and adds ice skating by the town hall. It makes an easy second Advent city for a two-centre trip.
14. Stay on for the New Year market
Unlike many markets that close on Christmas Eve, Klagenfurt keeps celebrating: a New Year market typically runs from December 27 to 31 on Neuer Platz, with food stalls, music and a festive build-up to New Year's Eve.
15. Warm up in a Carinthian thermal spa
Finish your trip the Carinthian way: warm water, mountain views and total relaxation. Thermal spas around the region, including Bad Kleinkirchheim, offer pools and saunas that are especially welcome after cold market days.
Christmas in Klagenfurt for Every Traveller
For Families
Build the trip around the children's programme at the Neuer Platz market on Advent weekends, plus Minimundus and the Maria Saal museum. The compact centre means little walking between highlights.
For Couples
Couples will love the quieter pleasures: an evening Glühwein on Domplatz, a lakeside walk in Velden at dusk, a candlelit cathedral concert, and dinner in an Old Town restaurant.
For Budget Travellers
Klagenfurt is kind to tight budgets. The markets are free to enter, the Old Town walk costs nothing, and the main-stage choir programme is free. Eat at market stalls and use regional trains for day trips.
FAQs About Christmas in Klagenfurt
When is the Klagenfurt Christmas market?
The Christkindlmarkt on Neuer Platz traditionally runs from mid-November to December 24, daily from around 10am to 7pm, with food stalls open later. A New Year market usually follows from December 27 to 31. Confirm 2026 dates on visitklagenfurt.at.
Is Klagenfurt good for Christmas?
Yes, especially if you want festive Austria without big-city crowds. It combines a genuine local market, lakeside Advent, concerts and easy day trips, all in a walkable city.
How do you say Merry Christmas in German?
Say Frohe Weihnachten, meaning Merry Christmas. In Carinthia you may also hear Besinnliche Adventszeit, meaning a peaceful, contemplative Advent season, which captures the local spirit beautifully.
What food should I try at the market?
Start with Glühwein and roasted chestnuts, then try Carinthian specialties: Reindling cake, Kletzenbrot fruit bread, and hearty dishes like goulash from the innkeepers stalls.
Can I visit Klagenfurt as a day trip?
Yes, from Villach or even Graz, but an overnight stay is better. The markets are best in the evening, and the lakeside trips to Velden and the Pyramidenkogel deserve a full day.
Is Klagenfurt close to other Christmas markets?
Very close. Velden is a short lakeside trip west, Villach is under an hour by train, and the wider Carinthian Advent region includes lake and mountain markets.
More Christmas Inspiration
If Klagenfurt has you dreaming of European Christmas cities, keep exploring: 15 Best Things to Do at Christmas in Évora, 15 Best Things to Do at Christmas in Córdoba, and 15 Best Things to Do at Christmas in Santiago de Compostela.
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