Christmas 2026 in Vienna: when to book local ads, where, what it costs

In short: Advent 2026 runs from 29 November to 24 December: 26 days. Black Friday is 27 November. On adyoutiser you can book Vienna screens for those dates today. One slot on the screen at Mariahilfer Straße 125 costs €316.97 for the whole of Advent, including Austria's 5% advertising tax, plus VAT.

Your Christmas trade is not won on 20 December. It is won when people write their gift list and your shop comes to mind. This guide covers when to book, which screens in Vienna actually exist today, and what a full Advent on one screen costs. Every price comes from our booking system, as of 28 September 2026.

If you run a shop, café or studio in Vienna and German is your second language, this is written for you. The booking flow works in English from start to finish.

When is the Christmas shopping season in 2026?

The 2026 Christmas season in Vienna has five fixed points: Black Friday on Friday 27 November, the first Sunday of Advent on 29 November, the Immaculate Conception holiday on Tuesday 8 December, four shopping Saturdays, and Christmas Eve on Thursday 24 December. Black Friday to Christmas Eve is 27 days.

One thing that surprises newcomers: in Austria, presents are opened on the evening of the 24th, not the morning of the 25th. Plan your last push for the days before the 24th.

When should you book?

Book Advent by mid-November. The reason is space. Each screen only sells a set share of its airtime, split between all advertisers. Once that share is sold for your dates, the screen is gone for those days.

Screens run on the operator's own system are tighter still. There the operator releases 4 of the 12 slots in their loop. Four bookings of one slot each, and the screen is full.

Three lead times to know:

1. Screens on our player can start the same day.
2. Screens on the operator's system need 24 hours, because the operator loads your file themselves.
3. Your creative is reviewed before it runs. AI checks every creative in seconds. Most go straight through; the rest go to a human. Don't upload the night before.

Everything is bookable up to 1 January 2027 today. Lock in your dates now and add the creative later.

Which Vienna locations suit Christmas shopping?

adyoutiser has 16 bookable screens in 5 Vienna districts. For Christmas, what counts is where people shop: Mariahilfer Straße, the 1st district, and the routes to stations and work.

Prices are net. Austria adds a 5% advertising tax (Werbeabgabe), then VAT. The entry price is the smallest bookable share: 10% of airtime on our player screens, one slot of the loop on operator screens.

The honest difference: on player screens we count every single play. On operator screens we can't read their system, so you get the date the operator confirmed your ad and an estimated reach. That is why operator screens carry a 10% discount.

See every screen with photo, price and address on the map.

What does Advent advertising cost?

Three worked examples, calculated exactly like checkout: day price times days, an automatic 3% volume discount from €100 net, then 5% advertising tax. VAT comes on top.

Example 1: one slot on Mariahilfer Straße, all of Advent

• 29 Nov to 24 Dec 2026, 26 days
• 1 of 12 slots, €11.97 per day
• 26 × €11.97 = €311.22
• minus 3% volume discount = €301.88 net
• plus 5% advertising tax = €316.97, plus VAT

Example 2: Black Friday week only

• 23 to 29 Nov 2026, 7 days
• 1 slot on Mariahilfer Straße, €11.97 per day
• 7 × €11.97 = €83.79 net, under €100 so no discount
• plus 5% advertising tax = €87.98, plus VAT

Example 3: all 10 Donaupier screens, all of Advent

• 29 Nov to 24 Dec 2026, 26 days
• 10% share on each of the 10 screens, €16.32 per day together
• 26 × €16.32 = €424.32
• minus 3% volume discount = €411.59 net
• plus 5% advertising tax = €432.19, plus VAT
• On paper that is 864 plays per screen per day with a 10-second creative. Each one is counted.

The smallest order is much smaller: from €2, one day is enough. More price examples: advertising in Vienna, costs.

What creative works in Advent?

People walk past and look for two or three seconds. One message, not five.

• One offer. "Gift vouchers from €20" beats "great gift ideas".
• Your street. People should know you are around the corner.
• A date, if you have one. "Sat 12 Dec: mulled wine outside the shop" gives a reason to come on that day.
• Big type. If you need a phone to read it, nobody reads it on a screen.
• Language. German reaches most passers-by. An English line works if your customers are expats or tourists.

Each screen's size and format are on its detail page. No creative yet? Skip that step when booking and upload later.

What happens between Christmas and New Year?

27 to 31 December is when people return gifts and spend vouchers. If you sold vouchers, you want them spent in your shop. Book those five days on their own. They are open today. The booking window currently ends on 1 January 2027.

Next steps

• Look at the map and note the two screens closest to your shop.
• Try your dates in the booking flow. You see the price before you pay.
• Read how shops use the Vienna Christmas markets and Black Friday.
• Retail overview: advertising for shops.

FAQ

When should I book Christmas advertising in Vienna?

By mid-November. Each screen sells only a set share of airtime, and operator screens only have 4 free slots in their loop. Once your dates are sold, the screen is gone. You can add your creative after booking.

How late can I still book?

Player screens start the same day. Operator screens need 24 hours, because the operator loads your file. Also allow time for review: most creatives clear AI review instantly, the rest go to a human.

What does Advent on one Vienna screen cost?

It depends on the screen and the share. One slot at Mariahilfer Straße 125 for the 26 days from 29 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 costs €301.88 net, €316.97 with advertising tax, plus VAT. A Donaupier screen starts at €1.44 net per day.

Do I have to book the whole of Advent?

No. One day is enough. Book only the Saturdays, only Black Friday week, or only the days before the 24th. The minimum order is €2.

Which Vienna districts can I book?

Today the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th and 9th. The 2nd has 10 screens at Donaupier; add Mariahilfer Straße 125, Plankengasse 1, Josefstädter Straße 99, Julius-Tandler-Platz 10 and Motto am Fluss on Franz-Josefs-Kai.

What is the 5% advertising tax?

Austria charges 5% Werbeabgabe on the net price of advertising. We show it as its own line at checkout and pay it to the tax office. Details: the Austrian advertising tax explained.

Can I see whether my ad really ran?

On player screens you see every play in your dashboard. On operator screens you see the date the operator confirmed it. We tell you which type a screen is before you buy.

Do I need an agency or a sales call?

No. Pick screens, upload your creative, pay online. No PDF quote, no callback.