Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof
Eiskrippe im Landhaushof47°04′ N 15°26′ EGrazfrom Nov 28Seasonal
Everyone who comes to Graz in Advent should see the ice nativity, and it costs nothing to walk in. Its trade-off is the weather: a warm spell softens the figures, and the organizer keeps spare sets ready in case.
Photo Clemens Stockner · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof runs November 28, 2026 to January 6, 2027 · announced by a tourism board (source)
Advent SundaysGaudete, 13 DecemberChristmas Eve
Dates and hours
- November 28, 2026 to January 6, 2027Announcedsourcechecked Oct 10, 2026
Hours · Mon–Sun 08:00–21:00
- Nov 28, 2026 · 17:00–21:00 (Opening after the tree lighting on the Hauptplatz.)
Every Advent since 1996 a nativity scene carved from ice has stood in the arcaded Renaissance courtyard of the Landhaus, the seat of the Styrian parliament on Herrengasse. In 2026 it turns 30. The figures are life-size, and Graz Tourismus puts the whole scene at about five metres high and seven metres long, cut from roughly 35 tonnes of clear ice.
The Finnish ice artist Kimmo Frosti carves it with his international team, as he did in 2025. For several years before that the work was done by the ice artist Gert J. Hödl. The organizer keeps a second and a third set of figures in reserve in case the weather damages the main scene.
The scene opens at 17:00 on Saturday 28 November 2026, straight after the tree is lit on the Hauptplatz. From then it is open daily 08:00 to 21:00, and lit after dark. Graz Tourismus lists the run to 6 January 2027, though its own text still says the scene stands until about the end of December, so check before a January visit.
Worth knowing
- Come after dusk, when the scene is lit, and pair it with the tree on the Hauptplatz a short walk north.
Quick answers about Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof
When can I see the Graz ice nativity in 2026?
It opens on 28 November 2026 at 17:00 and Graz Tourismus lists it daily 08:00 to 21:00 until 6 January 2027. Warm weather can affect it.
Who carves the ice nativity in Graz?
The Finnish ice artist Kimmo Frosti and his international carving team, from about 35 tonnes of ice.
When is Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof in 2026?
Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof runs from November 28, 2026 to January 6, 2027. Those dates are announced by a tourism board.
Do you need a ticket for Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof?
No. Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof is free to walk.
What are the opening hours of Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof?
Graz ice nativity in the Landhaushof keeps these hours: Mon–Sun 08:00–21:00.