Adorned with natural beauty, rich culture, and special musical and film festivals, Vienna is no doubt a place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. In the early 20th century from the Viennese Classicism age, Vienna has played a key role as a leading European music center. The diverse culture of this city brings here over 200 dance and music festivals every year, ranging from small regional gatherings to large scale events. These festivals in Vienna are, in fact, the best means to get familiar with Austria’s extraordinary history, the culture, the numerous culinary traditions, and meet the people living here.
8 Best Festivals In Vienna, Austria
Planning your holiday in Austria? Don’t forget to discover a few music and film festivals in Vienna while you’re there. Here is a list of a few famous festivals in Vienna that can offer you a fine experience and an insight into the diverse culture of Vienna.
1. Resonanzen Festival
2. Viennale
3. Donauinselfest
4. Vienna Jazz Festival
5. Grafenegg Festival
6. Klezmore Vienna Festival
7. Wien Modern Festival
8. Voice Mania
1. Resonanzen Festival
Back in ancient times, music was played with intense competence on the historical instruments, and today it has gained a lot of popularity. This is the reason why the Resonanzen Festival is one of the most loved music festivals in Vienna. Every year in January month, Vienna celebrates the Renaissance, Baroque and Medieval music for 9 days.
Those who would like to explore Europe’s old sounds of recorders, harpsichords, guitars, and lutes should definitely head to the Resonanzen Festival. Top international orchestras are gathered under one roof and perform on different themes every year. In the coming year 2023, the Resonanzen Festival will have 10 concerts, each dedicated to the ‘The 10 Commandments’.
Location: Wiener Konzerthaus, Lothringerstrasse 20, 1030 Vienna
Date: 19 April 2023 2023
Must Read: Indian Restaurants In Vienna: A Taste Of Home In The Heart Of Europe
Europe Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
2. Viennale
Organized every year October month since 1960, the Viennale international film festival is Austria’s most eminent international film event. A wide range of films are shown in the many vintage cinemas of Vienna including the planetarium Urania Sternwarte, Gartenbaukino, Filmmuseum, Stadtkino and Metro-Kino.
The Vienna film festival shows a collection of carefully selected new movies from Austria and other countries. From Buenos Aires to Cannes, this program premiers top experimental cinemas, short films and documentaries from around the world. Viennale film festival also hosts special events, parties, gala screenings, audience discussions, interviews, and provide an opportunity to meet the international guests of the festival.
Location: Vienna’s historic center
Date: October 2023
Suggested Read: 20 Vienna Hotels That Offer Much More Than Luxury And Comfort!
3. Donauinselfest
Europe’s open-air and free music festivals in Vienna, the Donauinselfest which held annually every year. Held for 3 days in summers, this is amongst the best festivals in Vienna is usually in full air in Wien. Scheduled on the Danube Island, the Donauinselfest festival offers you a weekend of fun, music, and blurry-vision Monday mornings.
You can sing and dance to a dozen radio stations and pop stars. The music played in this festival covers a number of genres right from rap, rock, pop, electronic music, hip hop, metal to folk. Plus, there are other sorts of activities to fill each day as well as a plethora of stands around with delicious things to eat.
The Donauinselfest held in 2019 pulled approx 2.7 million visitors, had 13 stages, 17 activity areas of various themes and 600 hours of music.
Location: Danube Island (Donauinsel)
Date: June 2023
Suggested Read: 10 Things To Do In Vienna For A Memorable Austrian Vacation
4. Vienna Jazz Festival
Also called as the Jazz Fest Wien, this festival held in Vienna is organized in the summer every year since 1991. The jazz festival held back in 2007 was attended by 60,000 people and has become the globes top jazz festival.
Every year around 50 artists participate in this festival, for example, jazz, pop, soul, blues, and rock musicians, a diversity of fusion and world musicians. In the previous festivals, popular celebrities like Bobby McFerrin, Randy Crawford, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Helge Schneider and Bryan Ferry performed.
Location: Various locations across Vienna
Date: June/July 2023
Suggested Read: Top 20 Places To Visit In Vienna On Your Next Trip In 2021!
5. Grafenegg Festival
Held outside Vienna in the premise of the romantic 19th century Grafenegg Castle in the Wachau Valley of Danube, the Grafenegg Festival is a favorite place for jazz and classical music lovers. Particularly for this festival, two venues are constructed in the park of the castle and it is no doubt one among the most loved festivals in Vienna.
Every summer top and famous orchestras and musicians including Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Austrian Tonkunstler Orchestra play and perform at this festival. Rudolf Buchbinder, the famous pianist is the artistic director of this festival. This fest comprises chamber music, symphonic and recitals.
Location: Grafenegg Castle; Schlossstrasse 10, 3485 Grafenegg
Date: 14th August to 6th September 2023
Suggested Read: Vienna Nightlife: 10 Places To Let Loose In This Exciting City!
6. Klezmore Vienna Festival
From the past 15 years, the KlezMORE festival dedicated to Jewish music and is of the top festivals in Vienna. This festival goes on for 2 weeks, and offers a perfect blend of the European and Jewish heritage and is held across town. You also get to hear loads of Jewish dance music and Yiddish songs by Shtetls and Steppes.
This festival is basically a joint festival of two cities i.e. Bratislava and Vienna. Usually, the first part of the festival is performed by a series of concerts by Bratislava with a subheading named ‘Pre-KlezMORE’. The Klezmer Dance moreover adds a traditional touch to the Klezmer Bands.
Location: across Vienna
Date: 9th to 24th November 2019
Suggested Read: 2021 Day Trips From Vienna Remain Incomplete Without Visiting These 10 Places
7. Wien Modern Festival
Founded by Claudio Abbado in the year 1988, the Wien Modern Festival undoubtedly must-see festivals in Vienna, Austria. The ultimate goal of this festival is to concentrate and perform contemporary music. Scheduled every year this one of the best festivals in Vienna was started to revitalizing Vienna’s traditional music. Since the inception of this festival artists like Friedrich Cerha, Mark Andre, Johannes Maria Staud, Olga Neuwirth, Wolfgang Mitterer, Georg Friedrich, and Peter Eötvös have featured here.
This festival is unique in Vienna and offers an international stage for today’s contemporary music and is supported by performance, dance, film, visual arts and video. You can choose from the 50 events held at 16 locations in Vienna.
Location: across Vienna
Date: 28th October to 30th November 2019
Suggested Read: 20 Best Places To Spend Christmas In Europe 2023: Where Festivities Breathe Magic Into The Air!
8. Voice Mania
When the fog arrives in the month of November in Vienna, the most exciting, energetic festivals in Vienna, Austria – the Voice Mania hits the city. You get to hear fabulous vocals from overseas and Europe. At the start, the ‘Bel Canto’ singers perform with gospels, yodlers, arias and electrifying sounds and rhythms from the numerous balconies in the city center of Vienna. However, few of the concerts are organized at the Theater am Spittelberg.
Location: balconies of Vienna’s city center
Date: 8th November to 1st December 2019
Further Read: 15 Spots For Snorkeling In Europe Every Underwater Enthusiast Must Visit
Besides Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces, Vienna’s musical and artistic masterpieces are vibrant and certainly worth listening too. For instance, the Vienna Film Festival is certainly the best place to see many genres of cinema that you can get familiar with on your vacation in Vienna. All the music and film lovers must attend at least some of these festivals in Vienna.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Question About Festivals In Vienna
What’s Vienna famous for?
Vienna is the capital of Austria and is famous for its imperial sights, cultural events, cozy wine taverns, coffee houses, and the special Viennese charm. Dating back to the 1st century, Vienna’s history is rich and can be seen across the city.
What’s good in Vienna?
Music festivals, film festivals, ancient churches, monuments, and more are some of the most important and exciting things to see in Vienna.
What is Vienna like November?
Vienna is generally very cold and chilly in November and it is the best time for indoor-sightseeing of museums.
Where should I stay in Vienna?
MuseumsQuartier and Innere Stadt are the best neighborhoods for tourists to half in Vienna. They are right in the heart of the city where you can easily access the famous tourist attractions.
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
People Also Read
Festivals In Bulgaria Festivals In Netherlands Festivals In Belgium
A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
