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WHAT'S ON IN AUSTRIA

What’s on: 10 things to do in Austria this February

From musicals to food tours, art exhibitions and Carnival events, here are some of the best events taking place all over Austria this month.

What's on: 10 things to do in Austria this February
Austria also celebrates carnival (Photo by michael schaffler on Unsplash)

Get energized by Jungle Book- The Musical

In February, Jungle Book- The Musical starts touring Austria. On the 8th of February at 4 pm, the first show takes place in Marchtrenk, Upper Austria, in KulturRaum TRENK.S. The story of the boy Mowgli and his animal friends has entertained children all over the world for decades.

This time, the story is told through a musical filled with humour and specially composed music. The musical focuses on how friendships can overcome boundaries and is an energized show where the jungle comes to life, and Mowgli and his animal friends take the audience on an adventurous journey.

Experience local and nature-inspired art

Artist and painter Christine Elefant-Kedl is well-known in Burgenland as a subtle painter of organic forms and colourful landscapes. From the 21st of February to the 21st of April, her latest artwork will be exposed at the Oberschützen Cultural Centre in Burgenland.

Christine finds her subjects and inspiration mainly in southern Burgenland but also from travelling abroad.

She captures flower meadows, trees, bushes,  exotic florals and snow-covered branches on canvas and paper.

Celebrate Fasching Tuesday  

Fasching Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is the day that marks the end of the carnival season in the German-speaking regions before the onset of Lent. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which signifies the beginning of the 40-day period of reflection and fasting leading up to Easter.

This year, Fasching Tuesday is on the 13th of February, and it is celebrated in many parts of the country. In Graz, the traditional carnival parade will take place on this day and start at 12:15 pm in Herrengasse, making its way to the main square of the city where a jury awards the funniest costumes in various categories.

The Fasching parade, rooted in the celebration of Fasching, is a lively and colourful event that takes place during the Fasching season, normally from the 11th of November to Ash Wednesday (this year, the 14th of February). The parade participants dress up in costumes and masks and the parade offers music, dance, and different performances.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about carnival in Austria

Enjoy some luxury food-tasting

On the 8th of February, from 8 pm to 10 pm, the Oldtimer Museum und Erlebniswelt “Der fahr(T)raum” just outside Salzburg gathers gourmet specialists from the region who will invite their visitors to a culinary tasting journey, letting them become familiar with their products.

In a small group, you will experience the tasting as a “speed dating event” where you are introduced to small delicacies, surrounded by the museum’s vintage cars.

During the event, you will have time to talk to the gourmet specialists, purchase food, snacks and drinks, and enjoy live music in a cosy atmosphere. 

Join a Sound of Music guided tour

Book a half-day guided tour and visit the locations used during the filming of The Sound of Music in Salzburg.

The tour allows you to relive your favourite moments from the movie and explore Salzburg and its surroundings. During the tour, the guide will show you the architectural and historical landmarks of the region and the famous Lake District while you enjoy music from the movie’s original soundtrack.

Dance Walz

In Carinthia, February is famous for the grand finale of the ball season.

The most popular ball in the Klagenfurt is the Rosenball, which takes place on 12th February in Messehalle 5.  The ball takes place on Rose Monday, the evening before Shrove Tuesday. Under this year’s motto ‘It should rain red roses for us,’ the dancing event starts at 8:30 pm.

Anyone who would like to dress up and dance traditional dances, together with a mix of modern ones, surrounded by flowers, should come and participate.

READ ALSO: High prices and famous guests: What is it like at Austria’s most traditional and opulent ball?

Visit Wiener Comic & Film Börse

This Sunday, on the 4th of February from 10 am to 4 pm at Längenfeldgasse 13-15 in Vienna, the Wiener Comic & Film Börse takes place. The event is a scene for enthusiasts, collectors, and fans to explore, buy, sell, and exchange comic books, films and other items. Here you can make a bargain and search for specific items in a large location together with like-minded.  

Explore Roberto Mattas surrealistic art

Chilean surrealist painter and sculptor Roberto Matta is considered one of the most visionary painters of the 20th century. He is known for creating dreamlike and imaginative paintings that explored feelings and thoughts. Roberto Mattas worked with unique shapes in his art, touched on social and political issues and influenced other famous artists such as Dorothea Tanning.

From the 24th of February until the 2nd of June, his exhibition is being held at Kunstforum Wien.

Learn more about Frida Kahlo

During the month of February, on various occasions, Vorarlberger Landestheater sets up the theatre play “Frida Kahlo – Viva La Vida”.

The play is about the life and art of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her role as a woman in a male-dominated art world. Frida Kahlo is celebrated for her contributions to both the art world and the feminist movement. In her artistic works, she brings up taboo subjects such as miscarriages, childlessness, and the deformation of her own body.

Physical pain and limitations accompanied Frida throughout her whole life due to a horrific bus accident she suffered as a child.

Practice yoga on a mountaintop

Once a week, you can take the cable car up to Patscherkofel Mountain outside Innsbruck to participate in a yoga event at the mountain station.

The event offers you the chance to practice yoga in a group with professional instructors while enjoying the view of the snow-covered mountains and Innsbruck city. The meeting time is at 2 pm at the valley station of the Patscherkofel cable car, and it is necessary to bring your own yoga mat.

The event takes place from 2:30 to 15:45, and the next opportunity is on the 9th of February.

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WHAT'S ON IN AUSTRIA

8 Austrian festivals you need to go to this summer

Summer is approaching, and with it, many festivals will start selling tickets. In Austria, you can find a wide range of different festivals all over the country. Here, we list some of the most interesting ones.

8 Austrian festivals you need to go to this summer

The list of Austrian summer festivals is long, and it offers something for everyone. Whether you prefer classical music, reggae, pop, or rock, you will likely find what you are looking for. Here are some of this summer’s most exciting festival offerings. 

Salzburg Festival

The Salzburg Festival is one of the world’s most famous festivals for opera, classical music, and drama. It takes place from July 19th to August 31st at various venues in Salzburg.

The programme offers 172 performances with classical music, operas, and world-famous artists. The festival is especially famous for its opera performances by composers such as Mozart, Richard Strauss, and Giuseppe Verdi, which are held in Salzburg’s beautiful and historical buildings, such as the Salzburg Festival Hall.

Apart from the musical performances, the festival offers art exhibitions, literary readings, and lectures.

Tickets to the different performances can be booked online.

Salzburg Festival. AFP PHOTO / WILDBILD (Photo by Wildbild / AFP)

Bregenz Festival

The Bregenz Festival takes place from July 17th until August 18th in Bregenz, Vorarlberg. It is a famous performance arts festival that mainly focuses on opera productions. The festival is known worldwide for its operas performed on a floating stage set on the shores of Lake Constance.

Bregenz Festival presents both contemporary and classic operas. Earlier productions have focused on operas such as Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida,” Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” and Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot,” along with modern adaptations of literary works and films.

In addition to opera, the festival also offers a cultural programme with concerts, theatre performances, and other cultural events in different locations throughout the city.

You can get your tickets to the different performances here.

READ ALSO: Ten unmissable events in Austria in 2024

Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest)

The largest free open-air festival in Europe is on the Danube Island in Vienna from the 21st to the 23rd of June.

The festival offers a diverse line-up of performances across all genres, including rock, pop, electronic, hip-hop, jazz, and folk music. Multiple stages are set up all over the island, where both well-known international artists and upcoming local ones share the stage.

During the festival, you can buy food, drinks, arts and crafts, and enjoy other events such as sports competitions and smaller exhibitions.

The festival is very popular and tends to be crowded, especially at the stages where the most famous artists perform. Last year, Bonnie Tyler was one of them.

Vienna Festival Weeks

The Vienna Festival Weeks (Wiener Festwochen) is a five-week-long cultural event that takes over the city every summer. This time, it takes place from May 17th until June 23rd at various locations in Vienna.

The festival is famous for being an innovative and international event that includes dance, music, fine arts, workshops, theatre and different performances. New expressions of artistic activities are presented in the form of contemporary music, experimental dance, multimedia installations, and interdisciplinary collaborations, exposing the diversity and dynamism of the art scene.

Many events are accessible for free, such as the many open-air performances, while tickets are necessary for other events and can be bought online. The program for the different events can be found here.

Vienna Festival Weeks. APP PHOTO/DIETER NAGL (Photo by DIETER NAGL / AFP)

Nova Rock Festival

The Nova Rock Festival is one of Austria’s largest and most popular music festivals, offering a perfect way for those who enjoy rock and heavy metal bands to spend the summer between the 13th and 16th of June. The festival takes place in Nickelsdorf, Burgenland, and provides a large camping area for festival visitors.

The line-up usually includes famous bands from all over the world, and this year, Green Day, Billy Talent, and Sisters of Mercy, among others, will take over the stages.

A daily pass costs €119, and a festival pass costs between €240 and €390, depending on your accommodation type and VIP access. Tickets can be reserved online.

READ ALSO: Train travel in Austria: The best day trips from Vienna

Frequency Festival

The Frequency Festival is another one of Austria’s largest and most popular music festivals. It has a diverse line-up of international and local artists across various genres and takes place in St. Pölten from the 15th to the 17th of August.

This year’s line-up includes bands and artists like The Offspring, Gigi D’Agostino, and Raf Camora. The festival stages are spread over a large area, with different stands selling food, drinks, merchandise, and other crafts.

A general festival pass costs €219 with a camping spot included, and a daily pass costs €109. Tickets can be booked here.

Hill Vibes Reggae Festival

The Styrian reggae festival is a smaller event for reggae fans in Leutschach an der Weinstraße, Styria, from the 24th to the 27th of June.

The music festival focuses on various sub-genres of reggae, such as roots reggae, dub, dancehall, and more. It is known to be a relaxed and laid-back festival where visitors enjoy music, dance, and connect with like-minded individuals.

The line-up usually includes local and international artists and bands, and this year, artists such as Gentleman and Teacha Dee will perform on the stages.

In addition to the music, the festival also offers workshops, Caribbean food, and different crafts stalls.

A festival pass costs €126 and can be booked online.

Carinthian Summer

The Carinthian Summer Festival holds classical music performances in various locations throughout Carinthia, including historic churches, castles, and scenic outdoor stages. It is one of Austria’s leading classical music festivals and is famous for its high-quality performances and diverse programmes.

This year, the festival takes place from July 2nd to August 29th. It offers a wide range of classical music performances, such as orchestral concerts, chamber music recitals, opera productions, and solo performances by well-known musicians such as Ulrich Dreschler and Maya Gour.

You can book tickets to the different events here.

READ ALSO: 8 unmissable events taking place in Austria in March

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