Wels opens Christmas world as charity events launch
Austria Wels has opened its Christmas world as three events mark the start of Advent in Upper Austria, ORF reported. The city has been named European Christmas City this year.
The Christmas market has expanded, with the entire Stadtplatz square open to pedestrians for the first time, extending to the town hall. More than 850,000 LED lights illuminate the city centre along the Wels Light Trail. The opening on Friday drew a large crowd, and an ice rink has also returned to the city centre.
In Steyr, the Ö3 Christmas Miracle will begin on Dec. 19. Presenters Andi Knoll and Tina Ritschl visited on Friday ahead of the charity event, which will broadcast live for 120 hours and raise money for the Licht ins Dunkel emergency fund for families in need in Austria.
ORF Upper Austria will also hold a donation day on Nov. 26, taking song requests and greetings in exchange for contributions. At the Licht ins Dunkel gala in Vienna on Friday evening, people with disabilities and their needs were in focus. The event raised more than two million euros.