Viennese Rhapsody: A New Year’s Eve Experience in Vienna
In Vienna, every New Year’s Eve is something special. Whether you’re in the city for just a day or two or for a longer visit, you’ll find a very traditional observance of New Year’s Eve in the city. The magnificent Austrian capital attaches great importance to tradition, as does the city of Vienna itself. You’ll find at least three great traditions, and we’re guiding you toward even more.
The New Year’s Eve Trail and Fireworks
Perhaps the highlight of New Year’s in Vienna, this huge entertainment event with live music, delectable foods and even dance lessons runs through Vienna’s old town, offering magical moments for young and old. From 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on New Year’s morning, you will find entertainment on various stages in the city center, at the Rathausplatz and in the Prater, including live bands and DJs. You can satisfy your hunger with offerings from numerous restaurateurs with options like hot punch, fried potatoes, Sacher sausages, Kaiserschmarrn, and New Year’s doughnuts.
The New Year’s Eve Trail is so popular that it is said to draw more visitors from abroad than from Vienna. It stretches from the town hall square across the Freyburg and the Platz am Hof to the Graben, but the highlight is the brilliant fireworks at midnight. They originate in both the Rathausplatz and in the Prater, with the latter as probably the largest fireworks display in the city. Because it’s so loud, the city issues an official safety notice to bring hearing protection!
Gala in the Ballroom of the Vienna City Hall
For a more formal way to ring in the new year, there is the New Year’s gala in the magnificent ballroom of the Vienna City Hall. A four-course meal of delicious offerings will be accompanied by waltz sounds from the Vienna Court Ball Orchestra, followed at midnight by a true Viennese show with dancers and vocal soloists from renowned Austrian stages. You can dance to live music and still marvel at the impressive fireworks above the rooftops of Vienna.
Into the New Year at the Staatsoper and with “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss
Since 1900, an enduring Viennese tradition on New Year’s Eve has been a performance of the Johann Strauss operetta “Die Fledermaus” at the Vienna State Opera. The curtain rises on the celebrated light opera and its famous masquerade balls, intrigue, and mix-ups at 7pm for one of a select few performances of the year.
New Year’s Eve with a View from the Danube Tower
A truly unique way to spend New Year’s Eve is to take in the 360-degree panoramic view from the Danube Tower. At 170 meters above the city, the tower offers a gala menu in its restaurant with an incredible eight courses. At the 160-meter level you’ll find a rich buffet in the tower café, and at 150 meters a champagne reception takes place on the indoor terrace.
Make the Finish Line in the City Park
Every year since 2008, the Viennese Waltz Run has kicked off at 11:58pm on New Year’s Eve. The objective is to cover the 800-meter distance as quickly as possible, in whatever way you wish, whether it be running, walking, or waltzing. To celebrate the end of the race, you can indulge in the delicious food offerings at the Gulaschkanone, a mobile kitchen serving local food.
Exclusive Views: New Year’s Eve on the Danube
From the decks of the DDSG Blue Danube you can enjoy a variety of themed cruises on the city’s famous river, including a New Year’s Eve gala with an opulent buffet. Enjoy canapes, prawns, oysters, roast pork, salmon, delicious desserts and more. The best view comes at midnight on the open deck, and the entire event features live dance music. Of course, no such voyage would be complete without the Blue Danube Waltz, which you’ll also get to enjoy.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vienna!
Vienna is worth a visit at any time of the year, but it takes on an especially magical aura during the Christmas season. The contemplative time is capped off with traditional New Year’s Eve parties, where you can party like royalty at one of the many balls or paint the town red on the New Year’s Eve path. When the fun is all over for December 31st, head for the traditional 11 a.m. hangover breakfast at the Rathausplatz on January 1st, where the New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic will be broadcast.
Now does it sound like fun to spend New Year’s Eve in Vienna? Coliving in Vienna offers you high-quality furnished apartments for rent at affordable prices and flexible durations. Become part of the whole and enjoy your dream apartment as well as the many advantages of our large international CoLivi community. Get your CoLivi now and share this unique experience with other like-minded people.
In addition to furnished apartments, we also offer the option of Flatshare in Vienna or short term rentals in Vienna. If you are a young worker, traveller or new in town we offer affordable ways for schooling, studying and remote work. Find a comfortable room and check out our student apartments in Vienna.
You are in Vienna and need accommodation besides your studies? ➟ Vienna apartments for rent
Pix by Unsplash & Pixabay: Thank you!
