Vienna, Austria, is famous for its famous Christmas markets and glittering New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Cultural City transforms into a magical winter world every year, adding charm to all visitors, regardless of their age. Just a six-hour flight from the GCC, this beautiful destination also begins Vienna’s festive and festive season in mid-November and runs until the end of the ski season in March.
Here are the top six reasons why Vienna is the first choice and destination worth visiting this winter:
Explore Vienna’s fascinating Christmas markets
Enjoy the vibrant festive atmosphere at Vienna’s famous Wiener Christkindlmark, one of the largest and most fascinating Christmas markets in Europe. Explore over 100 stalls selling a variety of gifts, handicrafts and delicious traditional sweets you can buy. Don’t miss the Ferris roller coaster and skating on the children’s ice rink, and admire the twinkling lights that adorn the Ratthaus Platz.
Visit the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace
The famous Christmas markets are just a small part of the fun of exploring Vienna’s many Christmas markets. The Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace is one of the great destinations to visit during your winter holidays. Wander through the picturesque surroundings of the magnificent Baroque Palace, where there are festive stalls offering gifts and traditional Christmas sweets as well as hot drinks to help you stay warm and enjoy the cool winter atmosphere as you wander through the winter wonderland.
Join the Festive New Year’s Eve Parade
Now in its thirty-second year, the New Year’s Eve parade (Wiener Silvesterpfad) is one of the most spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations in Europe. Taking place on the street, this spectacular event features live music, art and entertainment, across six locations in downtown Vienna – Freung, Am Hof, Grabin, Stefansplatz, Kärntner Straße and Noer Markt. The event also attracts annual crowds of up to 800,000 revelers with performances including classic brass bands, pop, rock, blues, funk and soul.
Embrace 2024 in an amazing atmosphere
Enjoy the charm of Vienna’s Old World at the New Year’s Eve Gala in the Great Hall of Vienna City Hall. The Silvestergala experience includes a sumptuous four-course dinner, live music from the Wiener Hofball Orchestra, traditional Vienna waltz and a midnight snack when 12 o’clock strikes, concluding this enchanting evening with a lively performance until half past two in the morning.
Experience skiing in Vienna’s fascinating ice world
With the festive season at Vienna’s famous Christmas market square, Rathaus Platz is transformed into an enchanting ice world known as the “Wiener Eistraum”. One of the largest ice rinks in Europe, this 8,500-square-metre stretch of space and features four skating rinks and aerial corridors decorated with twinkling lights.
Experience a waltz during the football season in Vienna
Vienna is the birthplace of the waltz, so the city’s residents turn the January and February seasons into a period dedicated to the charming waltz, where more than 450 dance parties are organized. Featuring a variety of dances including classical dance, triple waltz, quartet and many more, the festive and New Year’s calendar includes special events such as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra concert and the opera concert at the Vienna State Opera, known as the “most beautiful ballroom in the world”. The various professions in the city also host confectionery ball, doctors’ ball, coffee maker ball and more.
Explore Vienna easily
Enjoy all that vibrant Vienna has to offer by purchasing a Vienna City Pass. Coming with intervals of up to 24, 48 or 72 hours, this card gives you access to the city’s public transport system as well as discounts of up to 50% on over 310 attractions and events, including guided tours, exhibition tickets, concerts and other events. Prices start from €17 for a 24-hour period, and children under the age of 14 can travel for free with each virtual card.