Once a year, the Burgenland region sends the best of its cuisine and culture to Vienna city centre for the Burgenland Kultinarium festival.
- Three-day festival with food, drink (wine), and tourism stands
- Live regional music at times
- 2023 dates: May 23-25
- See also:
The best of Burgenland
(As you can tell from the background, the location reeks of history)
The Austrian province of Burgenland is one of my favourites: friendly people, good wine, and a flat contrast to the Alpine provinces (i.e. just about everywhere else bar Vienna). So it’s nice to see it brighten May with the Kultinarium festival on the historical Am Hof square.
When I tell you that Burgenland’s wineries and local tourism associations typically dominate the list of participants, then you’ll know roughly what to expect.
Fortunately, the province’s wine, cuisine and holiday destinations are all pretty good. And I speak as someone who regularly visits the south of Burgenland, where the sun seems to shine more often than in Vienna.
Talking of the south, I heartily recommend you try Uhudler at the festival: a unique blended wine produced in only a few select parts of Burgenland. Usually a red or rosé, with the occasional white, it also makes a wonderful mulled wine (my preference at winter events).
As you sip your wine, you’re probably following in the footsteps of a Roman centurion or two: Am Hof’s history dates back that far.
Historical records mention a wine market on the square from the mid-14th century. Today, the location also hosts popular Easter and Christmas markets.
The Kultinarium is one of several such festivals in Vienna, where a province or region comes to the capital to entertain, inform and (mostly) feed tourists and the Viennese. Brass bands and similar help wash the food down with a dollop of traditional music.
2023 dates, tickets & tips
The 2023 Kultinarium sets up camp from May 23rd to May 25th. Opening times are 11am to 10pm. Entrance to the festival area is always free.
How to get to the Kultinarium
The Kultinarium takes place slap bang in the middle of Vienna. Am Hof is just a short walk from such sights as Stephansdom cathedral.
Subway: Take the U3 line to Herrengasse
Tram/bus: There are no trams in this part of town. Try the 1A or 3A buses to Schwertgasse, or the 1A or 2A to Herrengasse
Address: Am Hof, 1010 Vienna | Website