Not all of Vienna’s history is about balls, carriages, cake, and cafés. The city had its darker episodes in the past, too. The end of one of the darkest underpins the Fest der Freude (Festival of Joy), an annual free concert and memorial event.
- Celebrates the end of Nazi oppression while also remembering the victims
- Includes a free (classical) concert on Heldenplatz square from the Wiener Symphoniker
- Always scheduled for May 8
- Take a guided walking tour* around WWII sites
- See also:
The 8th of May
(The Fest der Freude takes place right in the historical centre; press photo © Andy Wenzel)
On May 8, 1945 (Victory in Europe Day), the German army surrendered unconditionally to the allies, bringing an end to the years of Nazi rule and oppression.
The Fest der Freude is an open-air evening event that celebrates the occasion with a free concert.
The festival includes, however, various statements and speeches reflecting the dual nature of the anniversary: joy at victory over the Nazis combines with respectful remembrance of the millions murdered through the evils of the Holocaust.
The 2025 event, for example, had speeches from noted writer and journalist Professor Paul Lendvai, who lived through the war years, and Alexander Van der Bellen (Austria’s president).
The organisers (Mauthausen Komitee Österreich) work to preserve the legacy of the victims through memorial events such as the May 8 concert and through activities aimed at combatting fascism and racism.
(Heldenplatz – site of the concert)
The location – Vienna’s central Heldenplatz square – has particular resonance.
On March 15, 1938, over 200 thousand people gathered on the square to listen to Hitler as he formally announced the annexation of Austria by Germany from the terrace of the Neue Burg (the building in the photo above).
Sadly, most of the crowd approved of his speech.
The concert itself sees Heldenplatz light up in colour as the audience enjoys some of the planet’s best musicians performing a selection of classical music.
A regular fixture on the programme is the Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (written by the composer while resident in Vienna and since adopted as the official anthem of Europe).
(The famous Wiener Symphoniker orchestra performs regularly; press photo © Peter Rigaud)
The “house” orchestra for the occasion is none other than the Wiener Symphoniker, ably supported by different choirs, conductors, soloists, and/or other performers.
The event also follows a different theme each year: political resistance in 2022, civil courage in 2023, law & justice in national socialism in 2024, and 80 years of liberation from national socialism in 2025.
2026 dates, tickets & tips
The Fest der Freude always takes place on the evening of May 8th. I don’t have a time yet, but the last event began at 7.30pm.
Entry is free: you require no ticket. Proceedings typically last around two hours. You can normally catch it as a stream from the organisers, too (with English subtitles).
And should you wish to learn more about the fascist interlude and the Jewish experience in Austria:
- Heldenplatz houses the House of Austrian History, which focuses on 1918 onwards to the present day
- The main site of the Jewish Museum is only a short walk away from the square
- The Wien Museum on Karlsplatz traces the sociocultural history of Vienna (including the 20th century)
- And I have a guide to World War II locations and memorials in Vienna
How to get there
Spend more than an a couple of hours or so in Vienna and you probably pass Heldenplatz. It sits at one end of the Hofburg complex, close to the very centre of town and on most visitor walking tours & routes.
Subway: The nearest stations are Herrengasse on the U3 line and Volkstheater on the U3 and U2 lines.
Tram/bus: The 1, 2, D and 71 tram lines stop at either end of Heldenplatz. Get out at Ring/Volkstheater or Burgring.
Address: Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna | Website (for the event)