The top 5 MICE hotspots for the Advent season

Welcome to Nuremberg, the second largest city in Bavaria and the secret capital of the Christkindlesmarkt! Here, the Advent season turns into a spectacle that will make even the biggest Grinch smile. And the best thing? This city is not only a paradise for gingerbread lovers, but also a hotspot for top-class MICE events.

Arrival made easy

Nuremberg makes it easy for you to arrive and immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas:

• By plane: Albrecht Dürer Airport Nuremberg welcomes you with open arms and direct connections to many major European cities. In just 12 minutes you can whizz into the city center by subway - faster than Santa Claus up the chimney!
• By train: As an important ICE hub, Nuremberg is ideally connected to the German and European rail network. The main station is so centrally located that you can practically stumble straight into the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.
• By car: Nuremberg sits majestically at the intersection of major highways (A3, A6, A9). But be careful: the smell of roasted almonds could distract you on the highway!

The Christkindlesmarkt: where Christmas magic lives

Every year, Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt unfolds in the heart of the Old Town - a feast for all the senses and definitely not a place for diet enthusiasts:

• Over 180 festively decorated stalls invite you to feast, marvel and store
• Famous Nuremberg specialties such as gingerbread and grilled sausages (tip: try them all, in the name of “cultural education”)
• Daily appearances by the Nuremberg Christkind (spoiler: it's not a real angel, but shhh!)

MICE events with a wow effect

Nuremberg offers unique opportunities to spice up your event with Christmas flair:

• Exclusive reception in the historic Rathaussaal with a view of the festively illuminated Hauptmarkt (yes, you can feel like royalty!)
• Private bratwurst tour through the Old Town with a tasting of the famous Nuremberg Rostbratwurst sausages (team building has never been so delicious)
• Gingerbread workshop: Turn your participants into master bakers (or at least into people with sticky fingers and big grins)

Conference hotels and locations that enchant

Nuremberg shines with a variety of first-class venues that combine professionalism with Christmas magic:

NCC East in the exhibition center:

• Flexible room concepts for large events (from “cozy round” to “half the city invited”)
• State-of-the-art conference technology (Santa Claus hologram included*)
• Direct subway connection to the airport and city center (for quick escape routes if Santa is real after all)

Sheraton Carlton Hotel Nuremberg:

• Central location on the edge of the old town (perfect for secret mulled wine breaks)
• Elegant rooms and suites (for a beauty sleep between gingerbread orgies)
• 7 flexible meeting rooms with natural light (so no one falls asleep - unless there was too much mulled wine)

Hotel Schindlerhof:

• Innovative conference hotel on the outskirts of the city (for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle)
• 12 creative conference rooms, some in the garden (perfect for spontaneous snowball fights)
• Awarded for service quality and sustainability (because even Santa Claus thinks green)

Nuremberg is proof that medieval charm and modern conference infrastructure need not be opposites. The festive atmosphere of the Christkindlesmarkt provides the perfect backdrop to transform your MICE event into something magical. Whether you're planning a conference where the latest business trends are discussed, a team-building event where colleagues become gingerbread artists, or a Christmas party that will be the topic of conversation for years to come - Nuremberg has everything your event heart desires.

So, pack your winter boots, polish up your presentation skills and get ready for a MICE experience as unique as a snow crystal - only much bigger, louder and with more mulled wine!

*Santa Claus hologram unfortunately not included in the standard package, but hey, you can still dream!

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of Austria and the undisputed center of imperial splendor and state-of-the-art congress culture! Here, the Advent season is transformed into a winter wonderland that would make even Empress Sissi green with envy. And the best thing? This city is not only a paradise for Sachertorte aficionados, but also a hotspot for MICE events that make history.

Arriving in style

Vienna makes it easy for you to arrive and fall straight into the waltzing Christmas beat:

• By plane: Vienna-Schwechat Airport welcomes you with a touch of k.u.k. Nostalgia and modern efficiency. The City Airport Train (CAT) whizzes you into the city center in just 16 minutes - faster than you can say “Sachertorte”!
• By train: Vienna is the hub of the European rail network. The new Vienna Central Station is so chic that you'll almost forget you wanted to change trains here.
• By car: Vienna can be reached via a well-developed highway network (A1, A2, A4, A22). The efficient park-and-ride system on the outskirts of the city ensures that your car can hibernate comfortably while you explore the city.

Christmas markets: a feast for all the senses

Vienna boasts over 20 Christmas markets, each with its own unique charm:

• The Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz is the top dog among the markets - with over 150 stalls and a sea of lights that can probably be seen from the moon.
• In front of Schönbrunn Palace, you'll feel like a Habsburg on Christmas vacation. Bonus: The craftsmanship here is of such high quality that even Maria Theresa would be envious.
• The Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung impresses with its traditional atmosphere. Here you feel as if you've stepped into a time machine - only with better lighting and fewer epidemics.

Culture kicks for business professionals

Vienna offers a wealth of cultural attractions that will upgrade your MICE event from “Oh, another conference” to “Wow, when can we come back?”:

• Exclusive concerts in one of Vienna's famous palaces (Mozart included, wigs optional)
• Private guided tours through the art treasures of the Kunsthistorisches Museum (warning: may lead to spontaneous “aha!” moments and cultural awakenings)
• Romantic horse-drawn carriage rides through the festively illuminated city center (perfect for all those who have always wanted to ride through the city like Sissi)

Conference hotels and event locations with imperial flair

Vienna shines with a range of first-class venues that will leave your participants speechless (at least until the coffee break buffet):

Hotel Sacher Vienna:

• Luxurious 5-star hotel with more history than many a history book
• 4 elegant function rooms with a view of the State Opera (perfect for dramatic business presentations)
• The famous Sacher-Torte as an energy booster for your guests (Who needs superfoods when you can have chocolate?)

Steigenberger Herrenhof:

• Central design hotel in the old town, where tradition meets hipster chic
• 10 conference rooms with natural light and technology that would make even Q from James Bond jealous
• Historic ambience meets contemporary luxury (for those who don't know whether to hang a painting or an iPhone on the wall)

Max Brown Hotel:

• Trendy boutique hotel in the 7th district where the cool kids and business professionals hang out
• Creative rooms for meetings that definitely don't get boring
• Roof terrace with panoramic views over Vienna - perfect for networking or staring dramatically into the distance

Zeitgeist Vienna Central Station:

• Modern design hotel so close to the main station you can almost have breakfast on the train
• Flexible meeting rooms with tech so modern it can probably hold your presentation for you
• Ideal for attendees who like to stay in bed until the last minute (we don't judge!)

Anantara Palais Hansen:

• Luxurious 5-star hotel in a listed palace (for those who have always wanted to meet like a Habsburg)
• Elegant meeting rooms and ballrooms for up to 150 people (knowledge of the waltz is not essential, but helpful)
• Perfect blend of imperial charm and modern comfort (like a time travel smoothie, only without the jet lag)

Vienna is living proof that you can indulge in the past and look to the future at the same time - and look damn good doing it! The festive atmosphere of the numerous Christmas markets, coupled with the city's cultural diversity, provides the perfect stage for MICE events that will go down in the history books (or at least in company newsletters).

Whether you're planning an international conference where world peace is discussed (or at least peace in the marketing department), an exclusive customer event that will impress even the most pampered guest, or a Christmas party where even the company grinch joins in the celebrations - Vienna has that certain something that will catapult your event from “well” to “woohoo!”.

Welcome to Zurich, Switzerland's largest city and the place where fondue forks meet share prices! During the Advent season, this financial metropolis is transformed into a winter wonderland that will melt even the toughest banker. And the best part? You can plan your MICE event here with the precision of a Swiss watch and the coziness of a mountain hut.

Arriving with Swiss efficiency

Zurich makes arriving as easy as putting a golf ball in the hole (only with less swearing):

• By plane: Zurich Airport is so efficient, you'll wonder if you flew at all. The train takes you to the city center in just 10 minutes - faster than you can say “Schoggi”!
• By train: Zurich main station is so punctual and reliable that even the pigeons set their clocks by it.
• By car: Zurich is accessible via a highway network that is as well developed as Swiss bank accounts. But beware: the parking fees could break your Christmas budget!

The Christkindlimarkt: where Christmas is precision work

An absolute highlight is the Christkindlimarkt at Zurich Main Station, Europe's largest covered Christmas market:

• Over 150 stalls, lined up with the precision of Swiss clockwork
• The famous Swarovski Christmas tree sparkles so brightly that you will regret your sunglasses
• Swiss specialties that show you there's more than cheese and chocolate (but let's be honest, who needs more?)

Team building with alpine flair

Zurich offers a wide range of creative options for teambuilding activities:

• Chocolate workshop with a renowned Zurich chocolatier (if you don't end up looking like a chocolate fountain, you've done it wrong)
• Winter boat trip on Lake Zurich with a fondue experience (nothing brings a team closer together than melted cheese)
• Guided snowshoe tour in the nearby mountains (perfect for anyone who thinks snowshoes are a kind of winter flip-flop)
• Visit to the “Singing Christmas Tree”, a large Christmas tree with an integrated choir (Yes, you read that right. No, the singers are not ornaments)

Conference hotels and locations with the wow factor

Zurich boasts a conference infrastructure that is as impressive as the Swiss Alps (only with better WLAN):

Zurich Marriott Hotel:

• Central location directly on the Limmat (for spontaneous “I need a break” walks)
• 12 modern function rooms for up to 600 people (or 1200 dwarves, who knows?)
• Breathtaking views of the Alps and the Old Town (perfect for dramatic business decisions)

Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel:

• Modern high-rise with spectacular city views (For those who have always wanted to look down on their competitors from above)
• 10 flexible meeting rooms for creative events (Here, ideas emerge faster than you can say “innovation workshop”)
• Innovative “R.E.N. Meetings” concept for inspiring events (because nobody needs another boring PowerPoint marathon)

Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich:

• Traditional 5-star hotel on Bahnhofplatz (For those who appreciate luxury and punctual departures in equal measure)
• Elegant banquet halls and modern conference rooms (Where business deals run as smoothly as Swiss rails)
• Perfect combination of Swiss hospitality and international flair (Like a Swiss army knife, only without the sharp edges)

The Circle at Zurich Airport:

• Innovative event space directly at the airport (For meetings that are as international as a UNO card game)
• State-of-the-art technology and flexible room concepts (even your laptop will feel like it's in tech heaven here)
• Ideal solution for conferences where half of the participants are always rushing to the airport too late anyway

Zurich impressively proves that you can combine banking precision and Alpine coziness - and a very chic hat at that! The festive atmosphere of the Christmas markets, coupled with the efficient infrastructure and diverse cultural offerings, make the city the perfect location for MICE events that are as unique as a limited edition Swiss chocolatier.

Whether you're planning an international conference where world problems are solved (or at least the eternal argument over the coffee machine), an innovative team-building event where conflicting parties become fondue friends, or an elegant Christmas gala that's more glamorous than the contents of a Swiss safe deposit box, Zurich offers the perfect setting for events that combine professionalism with Christmas magic and a pinch of Swiss perfection.

So, strap on your snowshoes, polish your presentation skills to a shine and get ready for a MICE experience that's timed more precisely than Swiss clockwork - only with more mulled wine and less stress!

Hello and welcome to Munich, the state capital of Bavaria and the place where tradition and high-tech go hand in hand! During the Advent season, this metropolis is transformed into a winter wonderland that will make even the biggest grump smile. And the best thing? Here you can plan your MICE event with Bavarian coziness and German efficiency - the best of both worlds, so to speak!

Arrival with Bavarian charm

Munich makes it as easy for you to arrive as tapping a beer keg (only with less foam):

• By plane: Munich Airport, affectionately known as “Franz Josef Strauß”, welcomes you with Bavarian warmth and German organizational talent. The S-Bahn will take you to the city center in about 45 minutes - enough time to put on your lederhosen!
• By train: Munich Central Station is so central that you can practically fall straight into a Maß of beer. But beware: the Bavarian Gemütlichkeit could be contagious!
• By car: Munich is accessible via a highway network that is as well developed as the city's beer cellars. The park-and-ride system on the outskirts of the city ensures that your car will find a cozy spot while you explore the city.

The Christmas market: where Christmas meets the Wiesn feeling

In the heart of the city, on the historic Marienplatz, the famous Munich Christmas market unfolds every year:

• Over 140 stalls, lined up with the precision of a Bavarian brass band
• The imposing Christmas tree in front of the town hall is so big that even giants get neck pains looking up at it
• Daily carillon at the New Town Hall (perfect for those who like to time their meetings to medieval music)
• Traditional Bavarian specialties that show you that there's more than white sausage and pretzels (but honestly, do you need more?)

Culture kicks for business professionals with an Alpine background

Munich offers a wealth of opportunities to spice up your MICE event with cultural highlights:

• Exclusive guided tour of the Pinakotheken outside regular opening hours (For those who have always wanted to be alone with Albrecht Dürer)
• Private tasting at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus brewery (beer sommelier diploma included)
• Visit to BMW Welt with tailor-made program (perfect for all those who dream of cars but are only allowed a bicycle by the head of finance)
• Winter sleigh ride in the English Garden (Who needs the Alps when you have a sleigh and enough mulled wine?)

Conference hotels and event locations with the Wiesn factor

Munich boasts an infrastructure for MICE events that is as impressive as a well-drawn beer:

Sofitel Munich Bayerpost:

• Former royal post office in the heart of Munich (for all those who have always wanted to hold royal meetings)
• 20 conference rooms on 1,800m² for up to 800 people
• Largest ballroom in Munich with state-of-the-art equipment (perfect for presentations that are as epic as a Bavarian brass band)

LOUIS Hotel:

• Boutique hotel in a central location at Viktualienmarkt (For gourmets and those who want to become one)
• Unique event locations such as the LOUIS Grillroom or the LOUIS Roof Terrace (for meetings with a view and grilled sausages)
• Perfect combination of Bavarian tradition and modern design (like lederhosen with WLAN connection)

Ameron Munich Motorworld:

• Exceptional location for car enthusiasts and those who simply like to get a taste of classic cars
• Event space for up to 6,500 people
• Unique ambience in the midst of historic vehicles (perfect for presentations that should run as smoothly as a well-oiled engine)

Design Offices München Macherei:

• Innovative space concept in a modern office complex (For all those who believe that laptops and lederhosen are not mutually exclusive)
• Flexible rental space for conferences and creative meetings (ideas are born here faster than a Munich resident can shout “Oans, zwoa, gsuffa!”)
• State-of-the-art technology and inspiring design (because nobody wants to develop the next world-changing app in a boring beige office)

Munich impressively proves that you can perfectly combine lederhosen and laptops, veal sausage and Wi-Fi, tradition and trends - and a stately Gamsbart hat! The festive atmosphere of the Christmas markets, coupled with the efficient infrastructure and diverse cultural offerings, make the city the perfect location for MICE events that are as unique as a yodel at a tech conference.

Whether you're planning an international conference where world problems are solved (or at least the eternal argument over the last pretzel), an innovative team-building event where colleagues become weisswurst experts, or an elegant Christmas gala that's more glamorous than the English Garden in the sunshine - Munich offers the perfect setting for events that combine professionalism with Christmas magic and a good dose of Bavarian Gemütlichkeit.

So, strap on your Haferl shoes, polish up your PowerPoint skills and get ready for a MICE experience that's cozier than a farmhouse parlor but more innovative than the latest smartphone - only with more mulled wine and fewer battery worries!

Hello and welcome to Salzburg, the birthplace of the coolest rock star of the 18th century - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! During the Advent season, this UNESCO World Heritage city is transformed into a winter fairytale that will make even the strictest classical music critic swing. And the best thing? Here you can orchestrate your MICE event with baroque splendor and modern finesse - a symphony of event planning, so to speak!

Arrival with musical accompaniment

Salzburg makes your arrival as easy as humming a Mozart aria (but with less false singing):

• By plane: Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart (yes, really!) is just a violin arc away from the city center. The bus will take you to the city center in about 20 minutes - enough time to adjust your wig!
• By train: Salzburg Central Station is as central and well timed as the third movement of a Mozart symphony. From here you can practically stumble into the Getreidegasse.
• By car: Salzburg can be reached via the A1 and A10 highways - as smoothly as Mozart's runs on the piano. The Park & Ride facilities on the outskirts of the city ensure that your car gets a VIP spot while you rock the city.

The Christmas market: where Christmas writes music

Every year, the Salzburg Christmas Market, one of the oldest and most beautiful Advent markets in the world, unfolds in the heart of the old town:

• Over 100 stalls, lined up with the precision of a Mozarteum orchestra
• Imposing Christmas tree in front of the cathedral (so big that even Mozart would lift his wig)
• Atmospheric “starry sky” lighting (for all those who like to reach for the stars while drinking mulled wine)
• Daily concerts and choir performances (singing along permitted, talent optional)

Supporting program with timpani and trumpets

Salzburg offers a multitude of opportunities to bring your MICE event to a crescendo with cultural highlights:

• Exclusive Mozart dinner concerts in the baroque hall of St. Peter's (For those who have always wanted to dine in a wig)
• Winter horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered landscape of the Salzkammergut (jingle bells included, unfortunately no snow guarantee)
• Guided tour through the Getreidegasse with a visit to Mozart's birthplace (warning: could lead to spontaneous composing)
• “Silent Night” tour to the original locations of the famous Christmas carol (perfect for all those who finally want to hear the song without the off-key sounds)

Conference hotels and event locations with the Mozartkugel factor

Salzburg shines with an infrastructure for MICE events that is as impressive as Mozart's complete works:

Hotel Imlauer & Bräu:

• Central location in the old town (for all those who like to be woken up by chimes in the morning)
• 6 modern conference rooms for up to 200 people (or 400 Mozartkugeln, who's counting?)
• Rustic ballroom in the brewery restaurant for atmospheric events (perfect for presentations that are as sparkling as freshly tapped beer)

Hotel Imlauer Pitter:

• 4-star superior hotel near the Mirabell Gardens (For romantic walks between meetings)
• 12 event rooms on 1,200m² for up to 500 people (enough space for a whole orchestra and their groupies)
• Spectacular SKY Restaurant & Bar with panoramic views (for networking at the highest level - in the truest sense of the word)

Hotel Sacher Salzburg:

• Luxurious 5-star hotel directly on the Salzach (For those who like to have breakfast with a view of Mirabell Palace)
• 4 elegant conference and seminar rooms with a view of the old town (inspiration included)
• Perfect combination of tradition and modern comfort (like Mozart with AirPods)

Salzburg Congress:

• Modern congress center in the heart of the city (For events bigger than Mozart's ego)
• 15 event rooms on 15,000m² for up to 2,500 people (Even the most expansive wigs can be accommodated here)
• Flexible room concepts and state-of-the-art technology (for presentations as harmonious as a Mozart opera)

Salzburg impressively proves that baroque pearls and business meetings, Mozartkugeln and marketing strategies can be perfectly combined! The romantic atmosphere of the old town, the festive Christmas markets and the diverse cultural offerings make the city the ideal location for MICE events that are as unforgettable as the first bars of “Little Night Music”.

Whether you are planning an international conference where business ideas bubble up like champagne at an opera premiere, an exclusive customer event that is more harmonious than a Mozart concert, or an atmospheric Christmas party that will make even the Mozartkugeln green with envy - Salzburg offers the perfect setting for events that combine professionalism with Austrian hospitality and a good dose of musical magic.

So, tune your business strategies to Mozart's scale, polish your presentation skills to a high gloss (or better still: powdered sugar) and get ready for a MICE experience that is more harmonious than a Salzburger Nockerl and more exciting than the opening to “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” - only with mulled wine and less wig dust!

Dear MICE enthusiasts, Christmas fans and business travelers with a weakness for mulled wine!

We took a trip through the DACH region that was more turbulent than a sleigh ride with an over-motivated reindeer. From Nuremberg's gingerbread scent to Vienna's imperial splendor, Zurich's precision charm and Munich's lederhosen laptops to Salzburg's musical winter magic - these regions are as diverse as an Advent calendar with 24 different chocolates during the Advent season!

Tips for planning Christmas MICE events 

1. Early planning: Start at least a year in advance - or better yet, travel back in time with a time machine. The Christmas season is more popular than the last mulled wine on the stall!
2. Choosing the right location: Consider the size of your group (and their ability to consume mulled wine), the desired atmosphere (from “Silent Night” to “Last Christmas”) and proximity to Christmas attractions (gingerbread stall distance is a valid measure).
3. Integration of the Christmas market: Plan time to visit the local Christmas market. It's the perfect opportunity for networking, team building and trying 50 different types of mulled wine (all in the name of cultural education, of course).
4. Seasonal specials: Think winter team building activities. Nothing bonds a team more than trying to build a snow castle together or trying not to fall off a sled during a sleigh ride.
5. Traffic and logistics: Keep in mind that city centers at Christmas time are often as full as your stomach after a Christmas dinner. Plan sufficient transfer times and check parking options (reindeer are unfortunately not an option).
6. Flexibility: The weather can be more unpredictable in the wintertime than your mother-in-law's gift selection. Always have a “Plan B” for outdoor activities - or at least enough mulled wine to keep everyone happy.

The MICE Service Group is at your side as an experienced partner to make your Christmas event in the DACH region an event that shines brighter than the baubles on the Christmas tree. With our extensive network of local partners (we even know Santa's cousin), our expertise in event planning and our feel for the special requirements of the Christmas season, we support you every step of the way - from the first sparkling idea to the last note of the Christmas carol.

Be inspired by the magical atmosphere of the Christmas season in the DACH region and create events that your participants will remember for a long time - or at least until the next morning, depending on how the mulled wine tasted.

So, dear event planners, grab your Christmas hats, business plans and maybe a few gingerbread cookies for the road. The DACH region is waiting to transform your Christmas MICE events into dazzling winter symphonies. And remember: anything is possible during the Christmas season - even meetings that everyone is looking forward to!

Merry Christmas and successful events!

P.S.: If you happen to bump into Santa Claus during your event, please ask him if he has room in his sleigh for a few marketing materials. You never know when you'll catch such a good supply chain next time!