For Austrian monasteries and abbeys, Advent is not just a time for meditation and waiting, it is also a time for markets: doors are opened, and cloisters turn into cheerful places of socialisation, with events, concerts, traditional local products, Christmas cakes and decorations. The association “Klösterreich” (a pun that recalls monasteries and Austria) presents a tight programme that will involve virtually all of Austria’s monasteries and abbeys. On 11th and 12th December, the traditional Advent market in the Benedictine monastery of Admont, in Styria, will host “Crafts and foods of Admont”, with a special stamp, a crafts workshops and local farm produce. The Premostratensian abbey of Geras in Lower Austria will unveil its Christmas market on 13th December: in addition to its famous “Geras Abbey carp” with the monks’ secret recipe, the market will host a number of initiatives, all for children and younger visitors. The many convents of Carmelite friars and nuns in Austria have organised the “relax before Christmas” projects: a few days off work, starting on 11th December, including markets with local products, relaxation, joint meetings to listen to the Word, and dancing and music at the rhythm of the contemplation of nature.