A month like the day before your birthday. In October, everyone in Vienna stares impatiently into their coffee while waiting for the advent festivities to start. But October has its own appeal, with, for example, the city’s parks and woodlands ablaze with autumnal colour.
- See also: Events by month | How to save money on your trip
Top activities in October 2021
Most of Vienna’s delights are available all the year. But what can October offer in particular?
(Hopefully not, but the below may be affected by the effects of Coronavirus-related public health measures. Check official sites nearer the time for certainty.)
Enjoy the autumn colours
Autumn turns the city’s trees into swirls of yellows and reds. And we have a lot of trees.
The Vienna woods dominate the western edge of the city, but you needn’t travel far from the centre to enjoy nature’s transformation. Try, for example, the Stadtpark, where the Strauss statue adds another golden hue to October’s colours.
And if you’re female and fancy running a bit faster around Vienna’s autumnal delights, try the Asics Austrian Women’s Run (October 3rd with 5km and 10km runs in the city’s Prater park).
Museums, but not as you know them
This is a fun event.
On the first Saturday of October, a whole bunch of Vienna’s museums traditionally throw open their doors late and usher you in to experience special tours, displays, and/or entertainment.
There’s a lovely buzz to the city during this Long Night of Museums, which the state broadcasting company (ORF) organises, with thousands milling the streets. One ticket covers entry to any participating museum.
Talking museums, major art exhibitions normally begin in October to capture the Christmas traffic (more on that lower down the page).
Games and gaming
If you prefer your sports on a PC or console, then try Game City (2021 dates: October 15-17). This huge gaming fair takes place on the Rathausplatz square and features eSports events, cosplay, and numerous stands showcasing the latest games and gaming hardware. Entry is free.
The silver screen
Several October highlights will appeal to fans of cinema:
- Hollywood in Vienna (moved to September in 2021) honours the people behind the film scores with a concert and gala evening. The next award winner, for example, will be Alan Menken, whose numerous movie credits include Academy Award-winning music for The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, and Pocohontas.
- Vienna’s leading film festival starts toward the end of October. The long-running Viennale (October 21st to November 2nd) has all the accoutrements you expect of such an event: prestigious prizes, special guests, national and international pre-release films, etc.
- The Slash film festival invites you to discover the darker and more fantastical side of the silver screen (September 23rd to October 3rd)
- And the Jewish Film Festival brings the best of Jewish cinema to Vienna with plenty of ancillary activities, too (September 30th to October 14th)
Form and function
October also hosts two big design events:
- The international Vienna Design Week (2021 dates: September 24th to October 3rd). This mother of all design festivals offers a huge array of events across the city
- The international Blickfang design fair (October 15th to 17th) displays the work of independent designers in various fields…from fashion to furniture. You can buy what you see and, most importantly, usually discuss the pieces with the designers themselves
Colour and canvas
October sees the heavyweight exhibitions moving in, ready for the Christmas visitors. It’s too early for suggestions for 2021, but provisional dates suggest you might be able to enjoy:
- The final days of the MAK exhibition on the women involved in the Wiener Werkstätte group of artists and artisans during the period of Viennese Modernism (until October 3rd)
- Also catch the last days of the Lovis Corinth exhibition at Belvedere (also until October 3rd)
- The Modigliani – Picasso exhibition at the Albertina, which includes a large retrospective of the former’s works
- A major Titian exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum (starts provisionally on October 5th)
Music and more
There’s no better time to hold an Oktoberfest than, um, in October. Vienna’s equivalent is the Wiener Wiesn Fest (2021 dates: September 23rd to October 10th), normally held out in a meadow in the Prater park and within shouting distance of the Giant Ferris Wheel.
So pack your Lederhosen, gentlemen and your Dirndls, ladies. There will be much feasting and music.
If you prefer electric guitars and synthesisers to accordions, then take in the Indie Label Woche (2021 dates: TBA). The Reigen music venue hosts rock to pop to punk to hip hop (and more) across six nights of gigs showcasing local talent.
Enjoy.