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Events in Vienna

Karlsplatz Xmas market, Vienna

Inevitably, dozens of events typically take place each day in Vienna. Local listings can overwhelm you, though, so here are some annual events and festivals of particular interest to visitors (listed by month), plus current highlights.

Note: COVID-19 measures may affect concerts, festivals, exhibitions etc. (especially during periods of lockdown). So consider all the suggestions below as purely theoretical and check with official homepages for up-to-date info. Fingers crossed things improve through 2021.

Selected events on now(ish)

A broad ban on cultural, sporting, or recreational-type events currently exists in Vienna with no end date as of the time of writing. So I (obviously) won’t be making any suggestions regarding current events probably until early summer at the earliest.

Selected exhibition tips…

Vienna has various excellent exhibitions running at any one time and I can’t go to every single one. But here some current recommendations for you if and when museums are open:

  • Little Vienna in Shanghai at the Jewish Museum mixes tragedy, resilience, and human interest. A wonderful exhibition (until June 27th, 2021)
  • The one-room Haydn – Mozart – Beethoven exhibition (until Jan 30, 2022) at the Mozarthaus. The simple display of their last-ever pieces of written music left quite an impression on me
  • The Weltmuseum clears up a few myths and fills in a few educational holes in a rather splendid Aztecs exhibition (until June 22nd, 2021)
  • I really like the look of the Sheila Hicks exhibition at the MAK museum, full of vibrant colours (until April 18, 2021)
  • …and the look of the landscapes exhibition at the Albertina, full of masterpieces from the likes of Dürer, Rembrandt and Cézanne (until July 4th)

Annual events and festivals

These should take place each year but do check the linked individual and (especially) the monthly articles, since events are shifting around the calendar in response to COVID-related postponements.

Again, be aware that public health measures may still be in place through 2021 and could affect future events significantly.

January

Musikverein thumbnail
  • You might catch the final days of the New Year markets at the beginning of the month
  • Then it’s time to slap on your skates for the Vienna Ice World, which usually runs until early March

For dates, details and more activities and ideas, see the guide to January 2022.

February

Skating on ice
  • Sandwiched innocently between the holiday season and spring, February has few major annual events of note
  • January’s Ice World continues through the month, though. And there’s the famous Opernball, of course

For some tips on seasonal activities, try the February 2022 guide.

March

Ostermarkt sign
  • The Easter markets normally start up in March, depending on when Easter actually falls. In 2022, they may just squeeze into the end of the month. See, for example, the one at Schönbrunn Palace

See the full March 2022 guide for all details and more thoughts on what you might do in the month.

April

At the time of writing, the authorities have cited no date for lifting event restrictions in Vienna, so assume they continue through April 2021 and possibly beyond. Vienna also entered a hard lockdown on April 1st, slated to last until (at least) May 2nd and possibly longer for some measures.

Marathon runner's legs
  • The Easter markets may continue (or start) in April, which is when most of the Vienna Blues Spring music festival actually takes place. Another feast of music this month is the two-day Electric Spring event in the Museumsquartier

For more tips, exhibition suggestions and outdoor activities, try the full April 2022 guide (I’m not listing April 2021 because of the lockdown).

May

Man enjoying a beer

This is the month when music and food lovers come into their own, but COVID event restrictions may, of course, still be in place in 2021; many of the below events have already cancelled or moved to other months.

  • On the music front, you have:

The events of May give you a big hint as to what Vienna is really all about: food, drink & music.

For more culture, however, try the Vienna Shorts film festival, the Donaukanaltreiben riverside urban festival or the Long Night of the Churches.

For dates, more information, and even more suggested things to do, see the complete May 2021 guide.

June

Hopefully, we’ll start to emerge from COVID restrictions by early summer, but who knows?

Danube island from above
  • The spring/summer edition of Fesch’Markt Vienna lets you sample the creative output of independent designers and artists

Find out more about all these events, including dates and times, using the broader June 2021 guide.

July

Film Festival screen
  • The big July event is the Rathaus Film Festival, with daily public viewings of concerts and performances from various genres of music on the square in front of the Rathaus
  • Talking music, June’s Jazz Festival usually continues through the early part of the month, too. And there’s more music in July:

For other activity tips and more detailed suggestions, try the comprehensive July 2021 guide.

August

Old timer car
  • Many of July’s film and other festivals carry on through August. And another international open-air cinema usually starts up at Belvedere Palace, too, with their Kino im Kammergarten programme

Discover a whole slew of ideas for what to do this month in the full August 2021 guide.

September

View of the Streetlife festival
  • The last Sunday in September is European Heritage Day, when various historical buildings open their doors to the public (for free). The same concept applies at Open House Wien, but with a focus on newer constructions

For more suggestions, details, and dates, browse the main September 2021 guide.

October

Lower Belvedere Entrance
  • The Wiesen Fest from September continues into October, when you can also sample the best of Vienna’s museal treasures at the Long Night of Museums
  • Lovers of good photography and design should find their way to…
  • If you prefer your design in interactive pixel form, then enjoy free entry to Game City on the Rathausplatz
  • As in many months, film features strongly in October, too:
    • The city celebrates a different type of music to the usual classics with Hollywood in Vienna
    • And the cinematic theme continues with the start of the prestigious international film festival, the Viennale
  • For both ends of the modern music spectrum, consider:
    • The classical music festival, Wien Modern, begins at the very end of October
    • Contemporary music of a different type at the Indie Label Week

Take a peek at the October 2021 guide for more details and further tips and suggestions.

November

Christmas lights near the Graben
  • Both the Viennale and Wien Modern normally carry through into November
  • The month’s main claim to fame is the start of the Christmas season, notably the wonderful Advent markets, the lights, outdoor ice skating, and early signs of gift-buying panic

Call up the November 2021 guide for more information on the above, as well as tips on other activities and art exhibitions, etc.

December

Belvedere Christmas market by night

You’ll be surprised to learn that seasonal themes tend to dominate in December, notably…

For all the details and a few more tips, check out the December 2021 guide.

THE END (of the year and article).

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