Christmas Markets, or Weihnachtsmarkts, highlight the Austrian enjoyment of being outdoors.  Small booths are assembled quickly and crafts, food, and drink vendors come from all over to ply their wares, and create a generally pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.  The people love to socialize around these fairs, be they in fair, warm weather or cold, rainy or snowy weather.  Actually, the colder the weather the more enjoyable, as the food and drink is adjusted to the season!  Christmas Markets are always rich with Glhwein, or hot mulled wine, and Punsch, or various alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) fruit punches.  In Vienna we have about 20 different markets open during Christmas; one is quite large and touristy, but the others are smaller, more local, and completely charming.

Spittelberg has the best crafts, and a younger crowd that enjoys the multiple alleys with small passages interconnecting them.  A real maze that is especially charming on winter nights.
Spittelberg(3) Merchant's Christmas entertainment
Downtown Freyung market Hiking on the Hhenstrasse w/Frederick View from our house Snow & Hoarfrost near our house. Sara & girls @ Rathaus Chrismas market
Christmas Market @ Karlsplatz with snow... Frederick @ market.
Salzburg, Sara & Frederick, kids @ Christmas Market
Christmas Party, Sunday December 22

Austria has the tradition of Krampus (who visits Bad Children) and Nicolas (who visits Good Children).  They both visit on 6 December, leaving either coal or a small present for the children.  Here are some images of Krampus - anyone you know?  The cards say "Greetings from Krampus."