The Australian holiday season has well and truly finished with students back at school and adults back at work. Time to plan your next holiday! Austria’s event calendar for 2024 is brimming with unique, distinct, once-off or popular highlights that will tempt and inspire travellers to book their next Austrian trip. We have compiled a short list to showcase the diversity of events held throughout the year.
Vienna Ball Season – Vienna Opera Ball
Vienna, January to April 2024
The year kicked off with the annual ball season. 400 balls are held in Vienna alone, with many more across the country. In Austria, learning to dance the waltz is a much a passage of right as getting one’s driver’s licence, ensuring that more elegantly dressed dancers glide and twirl effortlessly across the parquetry dance floors than anywhere else. The season’s highlight was the Vienna Opera Ball, this year held for the 66th time at the famous Vienna State Opera on 8th February 2024. Guests share the dance floors with celebrities, artists, and politicians.
European Capital of Culture 2024
Bad Ischl & Salzkammergut, January to November 2024
For the first time in the history of the European Capital of Culture program, 23 communities within an Alpine, rural region will come together as a European Capital of Culture in 2024. The concept for the numerous activities planned for 2024 is based on two main elements that define the stunning Salzkammergut lake district: salt and water. The European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024 brings the diversity of historically rooted and contemporary art and culture to the forefront and raises it to an international level.
Bruckner Year 2024
Linz & Upper Austria, January to December 2024
Upper Austria celebrates the 200th anniversary of composer Anton Bruckner, a luminary in classical music. Engage in a year-long symphony of events, including concerts, exhibitions, and special performances in the very places that inspired him. The birthday celebrations take place in Linz and the province of Upper Austria, where Anton Bruckner was born. This creates a great opportunity to explore a region less known to Australians!
Exhibition Secessions – Klimt, Stuck, Liebermann
Vienna, 23 May – 13 October 2024
The Wien Museum, in cooperation with the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) in Berlin, presents an exhibition about the secessionist movements in Vienna, Munich and Berlin at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Gustav Klimt is probably the most notable artist linked to the Secession movement – the dawn of modernism.
Summer Night Concert Schönbrunn
Vienna, 7 June 2024
Don’t miss this opportunity to attend a concert by the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra -for free! The Summer Night Concert in the beautiful setting of the Schönbrunn Palace is one of the great highlights of the Philharmonic year. The open-air concert takes place annually in the park of Schönbrunn Palace. The orchestra podium and the audience area are in the middle of the baroque park, surrounded by the extraordinary scenery of Schönbrunn Palace and the Gloriette.
Salzburg Festival
Salzburg, 19 July – 1 September 2024
It is said to be one of the most famous and important festivals for opera, music and drama. Mozart’s birthday is transformed into one huge stage for the summer. The wide-ranging programme includes classics like Mozart operas and world-famous artists as well as a varied programme for young people – 172 performances held across 15 venues over 44 days. All those who missed out on tickets can watch performances from previous years at an outdoor screen at Kapitel Square for free.
Long Table
Graz, 24 August 2024
Foodies delight: Graz is setting the longest table in Austria. Also known as the Capital of Delight, the southern city of Graz offers an unforgettable, flavourful summer evening in the historic old town. Chefs serve exquisite dishes, accompanied by wines from renowned Styrian winegrowers, while the clock tower contentedly observes the gourmet experience in its city.
Mountain Yoga Festival
St. Anton am Arlberg, 5 – 8 September 2024
Four days of yoga, mountains, fresh air – does life get any better than this? St. Anton am Arlberg, known in Australia as THE destination for winter holidays, rolls out the welcoming (yoga) mat to yogis around the world and invites them to leave the world behind to learn, and discover new fields of yoga, health and nature. For information on the 9th edition of this festival,
Viennacontemporary 2024 international art fair
Vienna, 12 to 15 September 2024
Austria’s leading international art fair, viennacontemporary will bring together established galleries, exciting newcomers and curated special exhibitions at Messe Wien. Bridging the contemporary art worlds of Western and Eastern Europe, the fair has established an international reputation as a place for exciting new discoveries.
Immerse yourself in art.
Long Night of Museums
All over Austria, early October 2024
More than 700 museums and galleries across Austria and in neighbouring countries will open their doors from 6 pm to 1 am to welcome art lovers. Ticket holders can visit as many participating venues as they wish. Since its inception in 2000, more than 6 million people have attended this event. The proposed date for this year is 5 October 2024.
Christmas Markets
All over Austria, Mid November until End of December 2024
From mid-November until the end of the year, Austria is the place to explore romantic Christmas markets. Glistening lights, seasonal treats and snow-covered roofs make for a magical experience in Austria’s cities and towns. But the Advent period in Austria is also known as a time of old customs: Baking biscuits, putting up Christmas decorations, singing Christmas carols and many other much-loved traditions are shared by families in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Learn more about Austrian Christmas traditions and the world-famous Christmas markets.
