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[Most tourist infrastructure has reopened. But check official sites for remaining changes to normal operations]

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: Coronavirus measures may affect future concerts, festivals etc.. So consider all the below suggestions as purely theoretical and check with official homepages for up-to-date info.

Selected events on now(ish)

And we have three open-air film festivals to entertain you:

  • Enjoy the Rathaus Film Festival on the square outside city hall, albeit in a downscaled version (also until early September)
  • The dotdotdot celebration of short films in all their diversity (until August 25th)
  • The Frameout festival on Friday and Saturday evenings at the MuseumsQuartier (until September 5th)

Ongoing exhibitions I’ve enjoyed

Vienna has various excellent exhibitions running at any one time and I don’t go to every single one. But here some recommendations for you.

  • The Warhol to Richter exhibition (until Sept 6) at the Albertina includes works by Helnwein that left me astonished. If you like modern and pop art, give it a visit
  • The Approximation by Bilderbuch exhibition (until Nov 8) demonstrates the possibilities when a band enters meaningful collaboration with various artists. Worth seeing just for the guitar
  • The one-room Haydn – Mozart – Beethoven exhibition (until Jan 31, 2021) at the Mozarthaus. The simple display of their last-ever pieces of written music left quite an impression
  • I’m a sucker for Hundertwasser’s colourful oeuvre. The Hundertwasser – Schiele exhibition (until Jan 10, 2021) at the Leopold Museum shows how his painting style evolved and reveals the huge inspirational role played by Schiele’s works and life
  • Ever fancied trying out some of those on-set special effects used in Hollywood? Then visit the interactive exhibition (until end of November) at the Technical Museum

Annual events and festivals

These should take place each year but do check the individual articles…

Incidentally, 2020 is Beethoven year in Vienna in celebration of the 250th birthday of the composer. Follow the link for all sorts of Beethovenesque events.

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 runs until early March

(For dates, details and more activities and ideas, see the guide to January 2021.)

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 2021 guide.)

March

Ostermarkt sign
  • The Easter markets normally start up in March, depending on when Easter actually falls. In 2021, they should appear around March 20th. See, for example, the one at Schönbrunn Palace

(See the full March 2021 guide for all details and more thoughts on what you might do in the month.)

April

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 2021 guide.)

May

Man enjoying a beer

This is the month when music and food lovers come into their own.

  • On the music front, you have:
    • The Fest der Freude, a free concert on Heldenplatz to celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of the city in WWII
    • The famous (and free) Summer Night classical concert in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace (moved to September in 2020)

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 Jewish (postponed to October) and Vienna Shorts film festivals, the Donaukanaltreiben riverside urban festival (in September in 2020) 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

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 2020 guide.)

August

Old timer car

(There may be cancellations/changes in 2020 through the actual or knock-on effects of the Austrian Coronavirus measures.)

  • 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 2020 guide.)

September

View of the Streetlife festival

(In 2020, many additional events to those mentioned below have shifted to September. Events may still be affected by health regulations – some have already been cancelled.)

  • 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 2020 guide.)

October

Lower Belvedere Entrance

(Event may be affected by public health regulations. Some have already been cancelled.)

  • 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
  • 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 2020 guide for more details and further tips and suggestions.)

November

(Be aware that public health measures may still be in place and affect events.)

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
  • Or forget the season and immerse yourself in the world of science fiction, fantasy and comics at Vienna Comic Con
  • Or forget the season and immerse yourself in a glass of beer at the autumn edition of the Craft Beer Festival

(Call up the November 2020 guide for more information on the above, as well as tips on other activities and art exhibitions, etc.)

December

Belvedere Christmas market by night

(Be aware that public health measures may still be in place and affect events.)

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 2020 guide.)

THE END (of the year and article).