A festive run-up to Christmas in the heart of Tyrol. Press release

Viewing nativity scenes, Christmas walks and ‘Raunacht’ guided tours: the varied programme of events in the Hall-Wattens region makes the wait for the festive season seem shorter.

For many, Advent and the days between Christmas and New Year are the most wonderful time of the year. From mid-November to early January, Hall in Tirol enchants visitors with its Advent market set against the magnificent backdrop of the old town. But the surrounding villages also offer the pure spirit of Advent.

At the Hall Advent Market, stallholders offer traditional crafts and culinary delights. What makes it special is that the range of goods on offer changes almost daily, as individual stalls are run in turn by several different stallholders. In addition to the daily Advent market in Hall, there are several Advent markets in the region’s smaller villages, often lasting just one day, featuring special products and a lovingly organised programme of events.

‘Krippele schaug’n’ is an ancient Tyrolean custom and so cherished that it has been designated by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During the Christmas season, neighbours, relatives and acquaintances have always visited the nativity scene owners in the village for the ‘Hoangart’. Together, they admire the intricately detailed and lovingly crafted nativity scenes, share their experiences and sit together in the living rooms, enjoying schnapps – known as ‘Gloriawasser’ – and Zelten. There are also guided tours of the nativity scenes in the parish churches of Hall, Thaur and Absam.

The term ‘Rauhnächte’ refers to the special winter nights between Christmas and Epiphany. Many people are familiar with Christmas or New Year’s customs such as ‘not doing any washing’ or ‘leaving the wheels to stand still’. But what exactly is the significance of these customs? To mark the occasion, the Hall-Wattens Regional Tourist Board is offering a very special guided tour on this theme. To explore this unique custom, which is widespread throughout the Alpine region, the background to these traditions will be explained in more detail during a guided walk through Hall’s old town. Afterwards, there will be an introduction to incense burning in the Stiftsgarten.

It is a quiet and enchanting pleasure to be driven through the winter landscape in a horse-drawn carriage. Past snow-covered trees, with the white peaks of the surrounding mountains always in view. With a blanket on your lap and a bonnet on your head, a carriage ride is the very essence of slowing down. A hike with alpacas is a fun experience. During the tour, you’ll learn a lot about these fascinating animals and enjoy the winter landscape to the full.

The starry sky is humanity’s greatest picture book. Together with starguide Tobias Muster, families can playfully explore the sparkling night sky during this festive children’s stargazing tour in the courtyard of the Münze Hall: where are the best-known constellations and their most beautiful stories? How can you find your way around the starry sky? What do animals get up to at night? The highlight of the tour is a stroll through the starry sky using a telescope.

If the wait for Father Christmas is getting too long, why not join us on an enchanting Christmas walk in the Hall Valley? Along the way, you’ll listen to stories, search for little forest treasures and prepare a festive Christmas tree for the forest dwellers. You’ll make crafts using items you’ve collected from the forest yourself, followed by warm tea and biscuits.

For more information and dates, visit: www.hall-wattens.at/weihnachtsprogramm