New Year’s Eve in Austria
Fireworks, waltz, and lucky charms: Here's everything you need to know about New Year's Eve in Austria.
Ring in the New Year in style dancing at a fancy ball or celebrate until the early hours of the morning at an open-air party – in Austria, holidaymakers can have both! Fireworks, concerts, balls, outdoor dancefloors, you name it, we have it all. And if you have always dreamt of waltzing through the streets with a glass of bubbly in your hand at Midnight, the time has officially come! Brits visiting Austria can not only look forward to a huge choice of events but will also get to experience some unique New Year’s traditions first-hand. Here's what to expect, where to go and how to make the guarantee a night to remember!
AUSTRIAN TRADITIONS: LUCKY CHARMES, LEAD POURING & NEW YEAR'S CONCERT
Austrians love to swap lucky charms on New Year’s Eve. The most popular ones include four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, chimney sweeps, pigs, and elephants. While some are little plastic charms, others are edible and made of chocolate or marzipan.
And there’s more: Austrians also like to get some glimpses into the new year by lead pouring. A classic kit consists of a few tiny figures made of lead and a tablespoon. The figures are melted over a flame and the liquid poured into a bowl of cold water. The lead solidifies immediately, and its shape is supposed to predict the coming year.
A tradition that’s famous around the world is the Vienna New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein. It is broadcast worldwide, including at BBC 2, reaching about 50 million viewers in over 90 countries every year. To attend it live, register for the ballot here in February, then sit tight and keep your fingers crossed.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IN VIENNA: XXL STREET PARTY, WALTZING & FANCY BALLS
Vienna’s city centre and the Riesenradplatz at the Prater turn into a massive party zone from 2 PM on 31 December. The so-called New Year’s Eve Trail attracts up to one million people every year and features dozens of open-air dancefloors, live music, DJs and food and drinks stalls. A highlight not to be missed is the classical area on the Graben, where Vienna's dance schools offer waltz dance taster classes throughout the afternoon free of charge. At Midnight, it’s time to show off those newly acquired skills when the city dances into the new year to the sounds of Johann Strauss’ “Blue Danube Waltz” and the ringing Pummerin (the famous bell in St Stephen’s Cathedral). It almost goes without saying that there are also fireworks.
Those preferring to dance in the warmth can choose between elegant events such as the popular dinner and ball at the Vienna City Hall (featuring the famous Wiener Hofball Orchester) or the brand new New Years Eve Ball Vienna Central at the Belvedere.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IN SALZBURG, INNSBRUCK, GRAZ & LINZ
When in Salzburg, the place to be on New Year’s Eve is the area around the Cathedral, where bands perform from the afternoon. At 4 PM, gun salutes are fired from Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Staatsbrücke (main bridge). At Midnight, the Cathedral bells ring and fireworks are lit from the Fortress. There’s also a New Year’s Concert at the landmark.
In Linz, locals and visitors gather at the Danube shore to watch the fireworks. There are also cruise tickets available for those wanting to toast to the new year right on the water. Linz also marks the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss in 2025 with Strauss concerts around New Year’s Eve, both at the Brucknerhaus and Musiktheater.
Graz has banned fireworks for both environmental and animal welfare reasons and celebrates the turn of the year with a spectacular multimedia show combining water, fire, lasers, lights and video projections instead – a unique and innovative concept in Austria.
Innsbruck makes a top destination for those wanting to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the mountains, while enjoying all the city amenities. During the day, visitors can explore 3D projections around the old town, and from the afternoon the forecourt of the Imperial Palace turns into a party zone with live music and a DJ. The best place to see the firework display is from the Nordkette mountain range, where gorgeous city views, a bar and DJs await.
NEW YEAR'S EVEN IN THE MOUNTAINS AND AT THE LAKESHORE
Travellers seeking celebrations in smaller places will surely find what they’re looking for in Austria’s mountain and lake regions. Head to Kitzbühel for stunning light, street artist performances, traditional music, DJs, and fireworks, then take a torch-lit walk around Lake Schwarzsee on New Year’s Day. Or make your way to the Arlberg region for snow-sure pistes and fireworks. A highlight are the so-called Acoustic Fireworks in Zürs, a spectacular show with an annual theme. St. Johann in Tirol takes the ski and party combo to the next level and celebrates with ski shows and a torch-lit procession on 1 January.
In Salzkammergut, the new year is welcomed at the lakeside with music, food and drinks stalls, and a fireworks. Hotspots include St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen. Lake Wörthersee in Austria’s south features fireworks at the lake and a New Year’s swimming event.
Photos available below. Please include photo credits.
For further information and images, please contact pressuk@austria.info.
