Public Holidays / Annual Events

The main public holidays, festivals and annual events in Vienna are as follows:

1 January: New Year’s Day (Neujahr) - features the traditional Vienna Philharmonic concert with music by Strauss (which is usually broadcast worldwide). Tickets are available, although you’ll need to book at least a year in advance;

6 January: Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) - youngsters dress as the Three Wise Men on this, and preceding days. Knocking door to door they bring good tidings and news of Christ’s birth. The children also make collections for underdeveloped countries, whilst looking all doe-eyed to get cookies and chocolate too. For Roman Catholic homes, they’ll also write C(aspar), B(althasar) and M(elchior) along with the date in chalk over the entrance;

Lent (Fastenzeit) - Despite Maundy Thursday (Gründonnerstag) and Good Friday (Karfreitag) not being public holidays, quite a few stores close early. Easter markets (Ostermärkte) also appear throughout the city, selling decorated eggs, handicrafts and traditonal toys;

Easter Monday (Ostermontag) - traditionally observed on both Sunday and Monday. Most stores and workplaces close from mid-afternoon Good Friday until the following Tuesday;

1 May: Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit) - features parades at the Rathausplatz and Ringstraße. Stores are closed;

Ascension Day (Christihimmelfahrt) - always on a Thursday and nine days prior to Pentecost/Whitsun. Stores are closed;

Pentecost/Whitsun (Pfingsten) - 50 days after Easter, all stores are closed on Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag);

Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) - on the second Thursday after Whitsunday, a procession takes place on the Ringstraße, along with others held at every church in Vienna. All stores are closed;

15 August: Assumption Day (Maria Himmelfahrt) - commemoration of the Virgin Mary’s ascension into Heaven. All stores are closed;

26 October: Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag) - commemorates the day in 1955 when the last allied troops left Austria (with the signing of the Austrian State Treaty and a subsequent declaration of neutrality). The city’s Parliament building and all national museums are open to the public (with free entry) although stores are closed;

1 November: All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen) - just like in Hungary, Austrian families visit the graves of loved ones. A solemn day when candles are lit and wreaths or dried-flower arrangements are laid. Schools and stores are closed;

November 11: St. Martin’s Day (Martinstag) - although not a public holiday, the start of Carnival (Fasching) sees roast goose consumed in plentiful quantities. Kids also parade with paper lanterns, while the ball season starts from this day onwards;

Advent - begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Markets galore in Vienna (Christkindlmärkte) while a special leaflet detailing what’s on - "Wiener Adventzauber" - is available from the Vienna Tourist Board;

8 December: Immaculate Conception (Mariä Empfängnis) - an official holiday although stores are open as usual;

25 December: Christmas Day (Weihnachten);

26 December: St. Stephen’s Day (Stephanitag);

December 31: New Year’s Eve (Silvester) - traditionally locals gather at Stephansplatz to see in the New Year, with fireworks and Champagne all being part of the fun. "Die Fledermaus" is also performed at the opera houses, while the Kaiserball is held at the Hofburg Palace.