Public Holidays
APRIL TO JUNE

Public holiday: 1 May

On 1 May, Austria celebrates the Austrian Federal Constitution (not to be confused with the bank holidays on 26 October) and “Labour Day”. It is a day of protest and commemoration on which the labour movement is celebrated. Traditionally, there are no military parades, but the so-called maypole is erected (usually in main squares, in Vienna, for example in the Lainzer Tiergarten). This maypole erection is celebrated with a morning pint with suckling pig and beer throughout the day.

 

Ascension Day, Thursdays, usually in May

40 days after Easter Sunday, Christianity celebrates Christ’s ascension into heaven. As this holiday always falls on a Thursday (and typically in May and therefore on a warm spring day), most Austrians enjoy the associated window day and the long weekend. In Vienna, therefore, there are hardly any Viennese and mainly tourists. However, as this day is also popular for “first communions”, it can sometimes happen that you can’t get a seat in a restaurant because they are fully booked.

 

Whit Monday, Monday, May / June

50 days after Easter Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the Holy Spirit who spoke to Jesus’ disciples. This holiday is also one of the most popular in Austria alongside Ascension Day and Corpus Christi, as it always falls on a Monday and therefore automatically extends the weekend … As some schools in Austria go on holiday on the days around Pentecost, there are particularly many children in museums and amusement parks at this time.

 

Corpus Christi, Thursday, usually in June

“Corpus Christi” is 60 days after Easter Sunday. Very few people know what is actually celebrated on this day in Austria. On this day, Catholic Christians celebrate the bread and wine that symbolise the body and blood of Jesus. In Barcelona, eggs bounce during this time 😉
For most people, however, it is simply nice that it is the 3rd long weekend in 20 days. Most Austrians use these days to take a short holiday, which is why few Austrians can be found in Vienna at this time.

Public Holidays
October to December

Bank holiday: 26 October

On 26 October, Austria celebrates its perpetual neutrality. The Austrian flag is raised in front of offices and from many windows. Every year, a large military parade takes place on Vienna’s Heldenplatz and the parliament and Hofburg are open to visitors. So if you are in Vienna on these days, you should plan more time as the city is very crowded.

 

All Saints’ Day, 1 November

On 1 November, Austrians remember their deceased and bring flowers and candles to the graves. For schools, 2 November is still a day off, which means that many families and children visit attractions such as the Haus des Meeres, the Vienna zoo or the Technical Museum in Vienna on this day. So if you can, you should switch to 3 November to visit particularly family-friendly attractions.
For some years now, it has been very common for people to go to work dressed up on the day before 1 November, i.e. 31 October (keyword Halloween).

 

St Nicholas & Krampus, 6 December

While Krampus parades take place in many cities in Austria on or around 5 December, this is not the case in Vienna. This is to the advantage of all scaredy-cats because Krampus is VERY Scary!). Krampus is the companion of St Nicholas, who visits children in Austria on 6 December and brings presents to the good children. But this is NO public holiday!

 

Conception of the Virgin Mary, 8 December

According to the Catholic Church, Anna, the mother of Mary (mother of Jesus), became pregnant with Mary on 8 December. What is special in Austria and Vienna is that, unlike on all other public holidays, shops are open. Often there are also special discounts and offers, which fill popular shopping streets such as Kärntner Straße or Mariahilferstraße even more.

 

Christmas Day, 25 December

In Austria, it is traditionally not Father Christmas but the Christ Child who visits the children on 24 December and brings presents. Many shops and museums have different opening hours on this day. The so-called “Christmas Eve” is usually celebrated with the closest family. On 25 December, the second day of Christmas, i.e. Christmas Day, the majority of Austrians visit their friends and relatives. On this day, many museums, inns, restaurants, and pubs in Vienna (as well as in other cities and villages) have special opening hours or are closed.

 

St. Stephen’s Day, 26 December

Saint Stephen, who went down in history as the first martyr in Christianity, is honoured on 26 December. As on 25 December, museums and restaurants often have different opening hours on this day, and it is advisable to check these in advance.