The ice nativity scene

Ice Nativity Scene in Graz's Landhaus Courtyard

The Landhaus Courtyard is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

It is the magical attraction during Advent: the ice nativity scene in the Landhaus courtyard. Approximately 35 tons of ice are sculpted by ice artist Kimmo Frosti and his international team of ice carvers into a unique work of art.

The ice nativity scene and the life-sized nativity figures are undoubtedly a unique, albeit transient, work of art this year as well. For the winter is particularly fond of the ice nativity scene in the Renaissance courtyard of Graz's Landhaus: every year at the beginning of Advent, the nativity is carved from 35 tons of crystal-clear ice, and as if it were a special delight, winter often sends a few frosty nights but sometimes also pleasantly mild days afterward. This way, visitors to the Landhaus courtyard won't get cold too quickly, and if the nativity scene suffers too much, a second and third set of figures takes on the demanding job of spreading the atmosphere.

The ice nativity scene in Graz was and is the world's first and only Christmas nativity scene made of clear ice in this dimension. By the way, the first ice nativity scene in Graz was created in 1996, and it was conjured into the Landhaus courtyard for many years by ice artist Gert J. Hödl.

The approximately 5 m high and 7 m long ice nativity scene can be visited in the Landhaus courtyard from November 29, 2025, until approximately December 31 – weather permitting – .

Link to the ice nativity scene webcam

Those who want more ice should not miss the Graz Winter World – an ice skating dream under the Graz Castle Mountain with 3,000 m² of space. While skating, playing ice hockey, and curling, the wait for Christmas comes to pass in no time.