Skip the black tie, evening gown or opera glasses for a change of musical pace. The Popfest Wien festival showcases the latest Austrian pop music. And it’s free.
- Multi-day festival with open-air and indoor stages
- Dozens of acts and a supporting event programme
- Pop, hip hop, and similar genres dominate
- 2024 dates: TBA (was July 27-30 in 2023)
- See also:
Pop music from Austria
(The Popfest atmosphere. Photo © Simon Brugner)
Vienna may be known for its classical concerts, but (like any big city) it has a vibrant wider musical scene.
Each year, Popfest Wien brings contemporary and diverse offerings from pop and related genres to town on various stages in and around the central Karlsplatz square.
Popfest performers might include established stars in the Austrian firmament or relative newcomers. Feminist rappers or punk rockers. Singer songwriters or mavens of experimental electronic music.
The locations typically vary from a waterborne stage in front of the giant Baroque Karlskirche church to the hallowed halls of a local university.
Various side events and activities accompany the music, too.
2024 dates, tickets & tips
(Curators for the previous 2023 event: Anna Mabo and Dorian Concept; press photo © Ingo Petramer)
The event normally takes place at the end of July, but I await concrete dates for 2024.
After previous uncertainty regarding events and regulations thanks to you know what, the festival returned to normal in 2022.
The previous 2023 event included various offerings on Karlsplatz square and in surrounding locations like the Künstlerhaus building, the TU Wien university, the open-air Karlsgarten, and the Karlskirche itself.
Check with the official website for full details of the 2024 event, once available.
Attendance is normally free thanks to sponsors like the Arbeiterkammer Wien (the representative organisation for Vienna’s employees).
How to get to Popfest Wien
Popfest’s traditional home on Karlsplatz is not just a large central open space for outdoor events, including the fantastic divina art Christmas market: it also sits on top of one of the city’s main transport hubs. Which is a happy coincidence if you’re trying to reach the festival.
Subway: take the U1, U2 or U4 lines to Karlsplatz station
Tram/bus: Take the 1, 2, D, 62 or 71 trams to Oper/Karlsplatz
Address: Karlsplatz, 1010 Vienna