Top News for Austria in 2026

Looking for a newsy story to pitch, a surprising angle for your next press trip or a new under-the-radar place in Austria that your audience needs to hear about? Here are Austria’s most important news for 2026 in a nutshell.  

EUROVISON SONG CONTEST: AUSTRIA WELCOMES THE WORLD IN VIENNA

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest (10-16 May 2026) will once again put Austria’s capital in the international spotlight. 35 countries from Europe and beyond will compete. The opening ceremony takes place on Rathausplatz on 10 May, whilst the semifinals (12 and 14 May) and the final (16 May) will be held at the Wiener Stadthalle. Tickets for the finale sold out in 14 minutes (a new record!). However, those who didn’t snap one up can still follow the action in the Eurovision Village at the Rathausplatz and celebrate at Eurovision parties around town. There will also be public screenings at many other locations across Austria. 

VIENNA CELEBRATES THE 30TH PRIDE PARADE 

The first Rainbow Parade made its way along Vienna's Ringstraße in 1996. Today it is one of the largest celebrations of equality in Europe. Up to half a million people take part to stand up for diversity, tolerance and human rights each year. Nowadays the Rainbow Parade is embedded in the Vienna Pride and its programme of events during the first two weeks of June. The anniversary parade will take place on 13 June 2026. 

GRAZ: VISIT AUSTRIA'S 'CAPITAL OF DELIGHTS' WITH DIRECT BA FLIGHTS FROM LONDON 

Austria’s second largest city Graz is still a somewhat under-the-radar destination. But thanks to three British Airways flights a week from London-Gatwick it’s now easier than ever to reach. Graz scores with its UNESCO-recognised Old Town, a vibrant art scene, and Mediterranean vibe. It’s also known as Austria’s Capital of Delight, celebrating fresh, local and creative cuisine served in traditional inns as well as fine-dining restaurants. Graz doubles as the gateway to some of Styria’s best wine growing streets and scenic hikes, so travellers can easily combine sightseeing with a nature (and culinary) escape.   

LINZ & UPPER AUSTRIA: AUSTRIA'S MOST UNDERRATED HIDDEN GEM DESTINATION

Upper Austria combines cutting-edge urban life in Linz, a stunning mountain and lake landscape in the Salzkammergut region, and tons of outdoor activities across the province. Conveniently reachable thanks to two Ryanair flights a week from London-Stansted, it allows visitors to experience the best sides of Austria all in one trip. Highlights in 2026 include the 30th anniversary of Linz’ world-famous Museum of the Future, the Ars Electronica Center, the reopening of the city’s Steel World in summer (offering glimpses into Linz’ rich industrial history) and the new Arcotel Takabfabrik at the site of a former tobacco factory in April.  

SALZBURG: NEW 'SOUND OF MUSIC' MUSEUM AND 270 YEARS OF MOZART

"The Sound of Music" (1964) starring Oscar-winning Julie Andrews is as much a part of Salzburg as the Mozartkugel - fans can visit filming locations all around town. In mid-2026, The Sound of Music Museum in Hellbrunn Park just outside the city will open, showcasing the history of the film and the real story of the von Trapp family. In 2026, Salzburg also celebrates the 270th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with concerts, city tours and exhibition “Under the Spell of Mozart’s Magic Flute” (Museum der Moderne, until 14 June). Guests taking a day trip to Vienna can visit the new immersive Mythos Mozart exhibition.  

NEW LONG-DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS ACROSS AUSTRIA

The Alpina Antica Trail will launch as a transalpine hiking trail in summer 2026, leading from Kössen in Tirol to Mittersill and Kaprun in SalzburgLand in more than 30 daily stages. From here the route heads to Carinthia via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and on to Italy. The Austrian section is approx. 300 km long, and mainly along paths that were once used by pack animals and traders. The Wilheringer Pilgrim Trail in Upper Austria – accessible from May 2026 – is 132 km long and leads from the Danube River near Linz to the Vltava in the Czech Republic in six stages, with 14 churches along the way.  

MULTI-DAY BIKING TOURS THROUGH AUSTRIA AND THE HOHE TAUERN NATIONAL PARK

Bikers can head on the Meridiem Trail from April 2026, covering 582 km from Vienna via Eisenstadt to Graz, Klagenfurt and Villach in 12 stages, with the option to continue to Grado in Italy. In summer 2026, the Hohe Tauern Bike Trail opens, a 530 km long tour through the national park, covering 14 valleys, 12,000 m of altitude difference and magnificent views of the Großglockner, Kitzsteinhorn and Großvenediger. 

AUSTRIA IS REINVENTING ITSELF AS A FINE-DINING DESTINATION

Austria’s culinary reputation has long been synonymous with hearty classics such as Viennese Schnitzel, Käsespätzle and Kaiserschmarren. However, the country is rapidly reinventing itself as a world-class fine dining destination, now boasting 82 Michelin-starred restaurants, including in popular alpine holiday regions such as Kitzbühel, St. Anton am Arlberg, Lech-Zürs and Paznaun-Ischgl. Austria is also a hotspot for innovative female chefs. Plant-based pioneer Larissa Andres at restaurant Jola in Vienna or Iranian-Austrian aroma artist Parvin Razavi (& flora in Vienna) are just two names to know.

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