Festivals & Open Air in Vienna

City festivals, music, film and theater festivals and open airs in Vienna

Vienna celebrates. And not half-heartedly, but with all the passion of a city that knows that life is too short to stay indoors. Anyone who thinks Vienna is just St. Stephen's Cathedral and coffee house nostalgia has not yet experienced the best part. Because when the city gets into the festival mood, the imperial backdrop suddenly becomes one of the most exciting festival stages in Europe and you're right in the middle of it. Our calendar of events shows you all year round when and where Vienna shows its most party-loving side. After all, there are festivals here not only in summer, but in every season, in almost every corner of the city and for pretty much every taste. The Vienna Festival Weeks kick things off in spring. Every year in May and June, Vienna is transformed into a kind of free republic of the arts, where theater, performance, dance, opera and music collide on the streets, squares and stages. New productions, world premieres, guest performances from all over the world. If you are under 30, you only pay 15 euros per performance, which is almost indecently cheap considering what is on offer. Spring has barely sprung and summer has already started, and with it the Film Festival on Rathausplatz. A true classic among Vienna's open-air events for decades and the best thing about it? Free admission. For 65 days, operas, concerts and music films flicker on the screen while you enjoy your meal from the food stall with a view of the illuminated town hall. Want a little more festival density? That's where the Danube Island Festival comes in. Every year since 1984, the Danube Island has become Europe's largest open-air festival stage with Free admission, over 200 acts and an audience of several million people. This is where Vienna meets itself, colorful, loud and surprisingly peaceful. ImPulsTanz is the highlight of the summer for all those who prefer to dance rather than just watch. Europe's largest dance festival brings international choreographers, dancers and performance artists from all over the world to Vienna every July and August and takes place in various locations across the city. Workshops where you can take part yourself are included. As summer draws to a close, Kultursommer Wien takes over with pop-up stages in parks and neighborhoods across the city. Hundreds of artists bring cabaret, literature, contemporary circus and performance right to your doorstep, no matter which district you happen to be in. The concept is simple and ingenious: culture for everyone, everywhere. And when fall arrives, Vienna doesn't return to coziness, but puts on dirndls and lederhosen. The Kaiser Wiesn is Austria's largest Oktoberfest and a festival experience of its own kind: a lively atmosphere, festival tents, folk musicians and pop bands, plus plenty of Oktoberfest flair in the middle of Vienna. With our overview of the best parties and festivals, you're guaranteed not to miss an event worth attending. Take a look, get inspired and then get out there!