The translation of "Eiskrippe" from German to English is "ice crib."

Ice Nativity Scene in the Graz Landhaus Courtyard

The Landhaus Courtyard is accessible daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It is the magical attraction during Advent: the ice nativity scene in the Landhaus Courtyard. Ice artist Kimmo Frosti and his international team of ice sculptors have crafted around 35 tons of ice into a unique work of art. The ice nativity scene and the life-sized nativity figures are undoubtedly a unique, albeit ephemeral, artwork again this year. The winter particularly favors the ice nativity scene in the Renaissance courtyard of the Graz Landhaus: every year at the beginning of Advent, the nativity scene 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. 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 will take on the demanding job of spreading the festive atmosphere. The ice nativity scene in Graz was and remains the world's first and only Christmas nativity scene made of clear ice on this scale. By the way, the first ice nativity scene in Graz was created in 1996, and for many years, it was brought to life in the Landhaus Courtyard by ice artist Gert J. Hödl. The approximately 5-meter high and 7-meter long ice nativity scene can be visited from November 29, 2025, until approximately December 31 – weather permitting – in the Landhaus Courtyard.

Link to the webcam of the ice nativity scene. Those who want even more ice should not miss the Graz Winter World – an ice skating dream beneath the Graz Schlossberg with an area of 3,000 m². While ice skating, playing ice hockey, and curling, the wait for the Christ Child passes in no time.