This seasonal street event is not going to compete with the big central Easter markets, but the Kalvarienbergfest perhaps gives you a more authentic flavour of Viennese life.
- Small Easter urban festival and market
- Located in one of Vienna’s outer districts
- More of a local feel to it
- Few international visitors
- 2023 dates: Mar 30 – Apr 9
- See also:
Kalvarienberg market
(The view up from Elterleinplatz)
The Kalvarienbergfest in the district of Hernals sits away from the main tourist routes, but still counts as a familiar object on the Viennese Easter market scene.
It all has the feel of a local market (largely because that’s exactly what it is), with decorated lampposts and small flower displays thrown in for a festive veneer.
So you’ll likely find a handful of arts and craft stalls, places to grab sweets or traditional fried snacks (like a Langos or Baumkuchen), some jams, cheeses, hams and sausages for sale, little workshops for kids, and a small carousel.
(Not to mention a stage for shows and local musicians.)
You won’t find many tourists here: the Kalvarienbergfest is a lighter, street version of the larger Easter markets that grab all the attention.
So I wouldn’t make a special trip out to visit, not unless you want to delve into a more earthy, realistic side to Vienna: the event does give you a flavour of real life in the city’s outlying districts.
And the square at the centre has the rather pretty Kalvarienberg church, whose historical roots go back to at least the early 1300s.
In fact, the Kalvarienbergfest might be considered the modern successor to the market and entertainments that established themselves here in past centuries to serve both pilgrims and locals.
(Carousel beneath the Kalvarienbergkirche)
The district of Hernals is not rich in Imperial history and monumental buildings. But it has its heart (and a glass of beer) in the right place. And it also contains Austria’s oldest continuously-working football stadium (Wiener Sport-Club’s home ground).
2023 dates
The Kalvarienbergfest runs from March 30th to April 9th. Opening times are 10am to 6pm.
How to get to Kalvarienberg
Regrettably (because I live there), Hernals does not represent the centre of the Viennese universe. But like anywhere in the city, it’s pretty easy to reach by public transport.
Subway: take the U6 to Alser Straße and then travel two stops with the 43 tram in the direction away from the centre.
Tram/bus: the nearest stop to Kalvarienberg is Elterleinplatz on the 9 and 43 tram lines. The 43 leaves from Schottentor in the city centre and is, coincidentally, Vienna’s most popular tram service.
In a few years, Elterleinplatz will be a stop on the new U5 subway line, making travel to this part of town even swifter and easier.
Address: Kalvarienberggasse, 1170 Vienna | Website