Graz, like so many other global cities, sets up a huge Christmas tree outside its town hall every year.
Thousands of people are there for the ceremonial lighting when the 25,000 light bulbs are switched on. But Graz has more. The city in southeastern Austria has a unique annual attraction: a Nativity scene hewn out of massive chunks of ice.
This can be seen in the arcades of the Landhaus, the landmark 16th-century Renaissance-style building where the Styrian state parliament meets.
The world's largest Nativity scene made of ice is always opened with a live music concert, with the man-sized figures sculpted from 50 tonnes of ice glistening in the Christmas lights. Since they tend to melt, replacement sculptures are kept at the ready.
The entire city with its narrow alleys, hidden back courtyards and the Schlossberg castle overlooking the town is one glittering Christmas display every December.
Naturally the windows of the shops feature sumptuously decorated Christmas trees.
In the past this was hardscrabble country and the farmers would only have simple decorations on their Christmas trees - a few apples, perhaps some handmade stars made from straw. That was about it.
Because many farmhouses were too small for a big Christmas tree, the farmers would hang the trees from the ceilings - upside down.
It is precisely this idea that Graz, now the Unesco City of Design, has extended to its Herrengasse street, where dozens of trees hang down above the heads of the Christmas shoppers every year.
"Falling Xmas trees" is the name of this installation.
Strolling through the many alleyways, a visitor can wander from one Christmas market selling mulled wine, candles and curios to the next - altogether more than a dozen of them, each featuring its own theme.
Particularly pretty is the Advent-tide market up in the Schlossberg castle, where visitors can sample such regional Styrian specialties as pumpkin seed oil, various schnapps drinks and herbal teas.
Handicraft items, woollen socks, Christmas decorations and candles made of beeswax round out the offering, one which comes with a grand view of the city below.
Graz's Christmas markets are also a musical affair, with live music being performed everywhere, ranging from pop Christmastime songs to trombone concerts to traditional Christmas songs from the region.
If a visitor has trouble recalling some Christmas carol lyrics or is searching for a favourite Christmas song from childhood, there's a place to get help. An Office of Christmas Songs, established in Graz in 1991, has on file thousands of songs, texts, poems, melodies and sayings for the Christmas season.
