The best Vienna events in 2018
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An insider's guide to the best festivals and events in Vienna for 2018, including the Vienna Festival, the new Wienissimo food festival, Opera Ball, Vienna Marathon and where to celebrate new year. By Telegraph Travel experts Diane Naar-Elphee and Barbara Cação.
January/February
Neujahrskonzert (New Year's Concert)
January 1
Listening to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra live at the New Year's Concert in Musikverein's Golden Hall is one of the most exclusive ways to start the year. Tickets for the New Year's Day concert, the New Year's Eve concert and the Preview Performance (December 30) can be obtained in an annual lottery held by the orchestra. While the ballots for next year's concert (conductor Riccardo Muti) have closed, some reputable ticket providers may have some on offer.
Admission: £££
Contact: 00 43 1 505 65 25; wienerphilharmoniker.at
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Opera Ball
February 8
With the ball season in full swing from January to Ash Wednesday, Viennese, dressed up to the nines, waltz the nights away in the capital's most sumptuous locations. Practice those foxtrot, polka and ballroom whirls, rubbing shoulders with the locals in palatial pomp. The socialite and media highlight of the ball season is the Opernball (Opera Ball) held in Vienna's sumptuously decorated Staatsoper. Top tip: Make arrangements early if you want to rent a ball gown or tuxedo, and bag a good hairdresser.
Admission: £££
Contact: Apply for tickets by writing to: Opera Ball office, Hanuschgasse 3,1010 Vienna; or by fax: 00 43 1 51 444 2606; wiener-staatsoper.at
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March/April
Easter
March 17-April 2
Vienna buzzes with seasonal markets and music at Easter. While Freyung square boasts Europe's biggest pile of painted Easter eggs, the market in front of Schönbunn Palace regularly impresses with its sophisticated Easter decorations. Local crafts fans will head for the markets Am Hof and at Altes AKH (Old General Hospital) to watch craftspeople at work. During the Easter weekend, the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra will stage its annual 'Spring in Vienna' grand concert.
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Vienna Marathon
April 22
Vienna's popular marathon attracts big crowds and over 40,000 runners during the second weekend of April. Starting on the main Danube bridge (Reichsbrücke), the course actually follows a perfect sightseeing route, leading along Prater's main avenue, Ringstrasse boulevard, up to Schonbrunn Palace and back to the centre. The day before, participants can load up on carbohydrates at a giant pasta party, with traditional Austrian Kaiserschmarren (pancake dish) at City Hall.
Admission: Free
Contact:vienna-marathon.com
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May/June
Wiener Festwochen
May 11-June 17
Vienna's most prominent festival of theatre, music, performances, media art and visual arts hosts over 40 high-class performances across various venues in town, such as MuseumsQuartier and Theater an der Wien. Internationally renowned stars include Harding, Rattle, Goerne, Pappano and Buchbinder, and the music ranges from Purcell and Mozart to Mussorgski, Rachmaninoff and Sibelius. Tickets are available online, though the big opening ceremony is free.
Admission: ££
Contact: 00 43 1 589 22 11; festwochen.at
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Summer Night Concert
May 31
Once a year, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra opens its doors to the wider public at its open-air Summer Night Concert. Reason enough for classical music fans, many of whom have tried to get tickets to regular concerts for a reasonable price, to celebrate. Expect top international musicians, fabulous sounds, fireworks, and an exuberant atmosphere, including spontaneously waltzing locals. Top tip: arrive a few hours before the event if you want to grab a chair; foldable chairs, blankets and bottles are not allowed.
Admission: Free
Contact: sommernachtskonzert.at
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Wienissimo Food Festival
June 7-9
During this food festival, Vienna's City Hall square hosts 250 guests at an enormous table decorated with white table cloths, flowers and chandeliers. Serving up the food and drink is an illustrious group of ambitious restaurateurs from across Vienna and the rest of the country. Proceeds from dinner donations go to local charity 'Wiener Tafel'. Fun fact: Wienissimo also once hosted the world's longest apple strudel, as well as Vienna's largest pavement café.
Admission: Donations
Contact:wienissimo.at
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Danube Island Festival
June 22-24
Europe's biggest free three-day open-air festival attracts well over three million visitors. Amy Macdonald, Wincent Weiss and Alvaro Soler were on the list of artists that performed on a total of 11 stages last year. In between concerts, the sporty get a chance to do some boxing, slack lining, and zumba, and watch the street soccer championships. During the day the festival is popular with families, not least thanks to a giant water slide, face painting and other fun programmes.
Admission: Free
Contact: donauinselfest.at
July/August
ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival
July 12-August 12
One for lovers of the very latest in cutting-edge performing art; the ImPulsTanz festival showcases over 100 contemporary dance productions from across the globe, performed on Vienna's biggest stages. The event also includes Europe's largest open dance workshop, with more than 120 prominent choreographers teaching beginners and advanced dancers alike.
Admission: Varies depending on location and performers
Contact: impulstanz.com
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Music Film Festival
June 30-September 2
During warm summer nights, visitors gather in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) to watch open-air screenings of fabulous opera, concert and ballet productions. A huge variety of culinary delights are on offer at nearly 30 food stalls from around 12pm. Screenings usually start at sunset. Top tip: get a delicious Kaiserschmarren with plum compote or sweet dumplings from one of the Viennese food stand's giant pans.
Admission: Free
Contact: filmfestival-rathausplatz.at
September/October
Wiener Wiesn-Fest
September 27-October 14
Vienna's answer to Munich's Oktoberfest, although smaller and less-hyped, attracts a buzzing crowd of mostly locals who celebrate Austrian folklore. For just over two weeks, the Kaiserwiese (Emperor's Meadow) of Viennese Prater amusement park is packed with brass music, dance performances, demonstrations of local crafts, and lots of Stelze (crispy pork leg), Sauerkraut and beer. This is the perfect opportunity to watch and wear dirndl dresses and lederhosen.
Admission: Free, though party tickets for certain shows are required
Contact: 00 43 503 08 77; wienerwiesnfest.at
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November/December
Advent
Mid-November-December 26
More than 25 Christmas markets pop up on picturesque squares across the city. Visitors enjoy hot punch, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and stalls selling Christmas decorations and gifts for all ages. The gaudiest of markets, with the biggest Christmas tree, is Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus (City Hall), and opens from mid-November. The best markets with quality fare are Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on Freyung and Weihnachtsmarkt Schloß Schönbrunn. Both offer local handicrafts, homemade goodies and live carol singing.
Admission: Free
Contact: christkindlmarkt.at
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New Year's Eve Trail
This is a day and night affair. In the early afternoon, take an open-air waltz lesson or a boat ride on the Danube; as evening rolls in, sample the numerous pop, rock and folk performances and firework displays taking place across the city centre, while sipping on punch or mulled wine. At midnight on Stephansplatz, crowds gather to hear the 'Pummerin' ring in the New Year, and dance to Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz.
Admission: Most open-air venues are free
Contact: wien.info
