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What’s on in Austria: 9 events not to miss this September

A lot of exciting events are taking place in Austria this September. You can enjoy everything from food festivals and mountain bike competitions to folk festivals and 'dumpling celebrations'.

Published: 27 August 2024 09:56 CEST
What’s on in Austria: 9 events not to miss this September
Art creation displayed during the festival for Arts, Technology in Linz. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

September is soon here, and many exciting events will take place all over the country.

Here are nine happenings that you should not miss out on.

August 31st to September 2nd: Kiritog Altaussee – Altaussee, Styria

Late summer is an excellent time for folk festivals, and the Kiritog Altausseer is one of Austria’s most popular ones.

You can enjoy free entry, great food and drinks from local producers, performances, and live music here. 

Starting in 1960 and organised by a local volunteer group, the festival celebrates its 62nd anniversary. Last year, it attracted around 20,000 visitors.

More information on this year’s festival can be found here.

September 2nd to 22nd: Days of Alpine-Adriatic Cuisine, Carinthia

Every September, the Days of Alpine-Adriatic Cuisine brings together top chefs from the Alps-Adriatic region for a culinary celebration.

Small, fine culinary events are set up at various locations in Klagenfurt, Carinthia’s capital.

The restaurants in the city centre use recipes typical of the region, creating typical dishes for visitors.

The region’s cuisine mixes the hearty flavours of the Alps with the lighter Mediterranean touches from the Adriatic coast. Here, you can try anything from Carinthian dumplings (Kärtnernudeln) to Mediterranean fish dishes.

Find out more here.

READ MORE: 8 reasons why you should visit Austria’s Klagenfurt this summer

September 5th to 8th: World Games of Mountainbiking, Saalbach, Salzburg

In the Pinzgauer Grasberge, mountain bikers of all levels will compete to become World Games Champions in the 25th edition of this annual mountain biking event.

During four days, several marathon races (beginner to expert levels) will be held at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 2,100 metres. On Saturday evening, there will also be an award ceremony and celebration party.

You can register or find out more here.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Karo Lin46 (@salad_on_the_mountain)

September 26th: Vienna Night Run

Since 2007, this annual event has been taking place to raise money for charity and get Vienna’s residents moving. 

The race involves a 5km run around Vienna’s Ringstrasse, and for every participant, a mangrove tree will be planted in Myanmar.

The entry fee is currently €43, or €40 per person for groups of five people or more.

You can sign up here.

September 7th: Sterz-Festival, Purbach, Burgenland

This annual festival celebrates Burgenland’s traditional local dish called Sterz, which is ground maise or corn, similar to polenta and popular in the region.

The festival offers different dishes with Sterz, live music and dancing, entertainment, local crafts, and other food stalls.

The day is known for being family-friendly and offers activities for all ages.

Find out more here.

September 4th to 8th: Ars Electronica Festival, Linz

This popular festival takes place every year in Linz and celebrates art, technology and society.

The festival presents projects and performances that blend art with the latest technology. You can explore interactive installations, virtual reality experiences, robotics, and digital art.

Ticket options include an entire festival pass for €170, a one-day pass for €59 or an exhibition ticket for €13.

On Friday, September 6th, there will also be a special party in the evening with experimental live music acts.

Find out more about the festival and buy your tickets here.

READ ALSO: Ten unmissable events in Austria in 2024

September 26th to October 13th: Kaiser Wiesn, Vienna

Kaiser Wiesn is the biggest Oktoberfest-style event in Austria.

Here, you can dress up in your dirndl or lederhosen and enjoy a lot of beer, regional delicacies, and live music.

Visitors can enjoy free admission in the day but tickets are needed for many of the evening performances. A standard ticket for one evening costs around €80.

Check out the program and ticket options here.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kaiser Wiesn (@kaiser_wiesn)

September 27th to 29th: Retzer Weinlesefest, Retz, Lower Austria

This annual wine harvest festival in the Weinviertel region is a favourite among wine lovers and those wanting to enjoy outdoor events before autumn arrives.

Here you can enjoy wine tastings, live music, entertainment for the kids and a fireworks show on Sunday evening.

A daily entrance ticket costs €8.

You can read more about it here. 

September 21st: Knödelfest, St. Johann, Tyrol

This year will be the 42nd edition of this annual one-day celebration of the humble Knödel (Austrian dumpling) and Tyrolean culture.

The event starts at 11 a.m., and you can enjoy some of the 22 different dishes from the world’s largest Knödeltisch (dumpling table).

Visitors’ favourites are usually the dumplings with bacon and cheese and apricots.

The festival also offers live music and a great variety of drinks. 

Find out more here. 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Knödelfest in St. Johann in Tirol (@knoedelfest)

READ NEXT: 9 must-try food specialities from every Austrian province

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8 easy and fun ways to learn more about Austria

Getting to know a new country's culture and history can sometimes be challenging. Here are eight fun and easy ways to learn more about Austria.

Published: 26 August 2024 13:31 CEST
8 easy and fun ways to learn more about Austria

Whether you have been in Austria for just a few days or many years, there is always more to discover about the country’s history and culture.

Austria has a rich history and cultural heritage, with beautiful Alpine landscapes in the west and cute cities and vineyards in the east.

To get to know Austria better, you do not need to spend all your time studying history books or reading complex literature. You can also learn about Austria by joining a walking tour, watching a good film, or dancing at a Feuerwehrfest.

Here are eight easy and enjoyable ways to deepen your understanding of Austria’s history and culture.

Visit a local festival 

Austria offers a lot of local and traditional festivals throughout the year.

For example, you can visit a “Feuerwehrfest,” organised by local fire brigades in towns and villages across Austria. These festivals are both a fundraiser for the fire brigade and a fun community event.

At a Feuerwehrfest, you can enjoy traditional Austrian foods like sausages, schnitzel, local beer, and live music.

Another festival to check out is the “Kirchtag.” This traditional village or town festival traditionally celebrates the anniversary of a church’s consecration or the feast day of its patron saint.

Today, the Kirchtage also offer a wide range of cultural events and are seen as very important in Austrian culture, especially in rural areas.

READ ALSO: 8 Austrian festivals you need to go to this summer

At a Kirchtag, it is common to see people dressed in traditional Austrian clothing, such as dirndls for women and lederhosen for men. The festival offers lively music, performances and dancing, with local bands playing music until the early morning.

Food and drink are also central to the Kirchtag experience, and you can enjoy many traditional dishes, such as local sausages, soups, pastries, and beers or wines.

Some of the larger Kirchtags, such as Villacher Kirchtag, also offer carnival rides, games, and attractions for families.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Zollner (@hotelzollner)

Try local food and drinks

Learning about its food and beverage culture is one way to get to know Austria better. Austria has many specialities, from starters and main dishes to desserts and bakeries.
 
Each region also has its own unique specialities worth trying.
 
For example, in Carinthia, you should try the Kärtner Nudeln; in Tyrol, the Speck; and in Vienna, the Sachertorte.

Visiting a nice local restaurant, farmers’ market, or food festival while travelling in Austria can teach you much about the country.

READ MORE: 9 must-try food specialities from every Austrian province

Make an Austrian music playlist

Listening to music from Austria can be a great way to learn more about the culture.

You can download a playlist of classical music by famous Austrian composers such as Mozart and Strauss or explore modern Austrian artists across different genres.

Falco was a famous Austrian artist known for blending pop, rock, and rap, leaving a lasting impact on the Austrian music scene.

READ ALSO: Falco to Schwarzenegger – Six Austrian cultural icons that you need to know

Wanda is another great option. This indie, pop, and rock band is one of Austria’s most famous, and you can check out songs like “Amore” or “Bologna.”

Another popular artist is Yung Hurn. His music blends elements of rap, trap, and contemporary pop. Some of Yung Hurn’s most famous tracks are “Ok Cool” and “Perrier.”

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Falco Fanklub Wien (@falco_fanklub_wien)

Join a Stammtisch

“Stammtisch” is an Austrian tradition where the same group of people meet up on the same day every week at a specific pub to talk, maybe play cards, and enjoy some drinks together.

Stammtisch can be a great way to meet new people, improve your German skills, and get an insight into life in Austria.

Some Stammtisch gatherings are open to newcomers and are advertised in local pubs, on community boards, or online. You can find these on university notice boards, cafes, or websites like Meetup.com or Facebook groups.

READ ALSO: What you should know about Austria and Germany’s ‘Stammtisch’ tradition

Watch Austrian films and series

Going to the cinema or having a movie night at home is a fun and effortless way to get to know Austria better. Most popular films have English subtitles or dubbing, so language should not be a problem.

Austria has a lot to offer in terms of films and series. Classic films such as Amadeus, Mundl—Ein echter Wiener geht nicht unter, Der Bockerer, and The Sound of Music teach you about Austrian history, culture, and landscape.

Amadeus is a critically praised biographical drama about Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It focuses on his genius, chaotic relationships, and the envy and admiration of his rival composer, Salieri.

For more modern films, you can watch The Counterfeiters, Before Sunrise, and series like Tatort, a well-known crime series with many episodes in Vienna and other parts of Austria.

READ ALSO: From classics to thrillers: Seven movies set in Austria

Go on a walking tour

Walking tours are often associated with tourists, but taking a walking tour in your own city or country can open your eyes to new aspects of Austrian culture and history you may not have known.

In Austria, you can find all sorts of walking tours, from those covering the history of specific places to others focusing on street art, vineyards, local restaurants, second-hand shopping, or lakes around the region.

Websites like GetYourGuide and Airbnb are good places to start looking for tours in your area, but if you are interested in something specific, you can always Google it and see what comes up. 

Visit museums and exhibitions

Visiting different museums and exhibitions is a great way to learn more about Austria, the country’s history, culture, and traditions. Some museums bring up the general history of the country, while others focus on local heritage, history and culture.

In Vienna, you can visit Schönbrunn Palace and learn about the Habsburg dynasty and their impact on European history. At the Haus der Geschichte Österreich, you learn about Austria’s transformations in the 20th century.

The Salzburg Museum presents Salzburg’s artistic heritage, while the Tiroler Landesmuseum in Innsbruck teaches about Tyrol’s unique history and culture.

Travel within the country

Exploring the different regions in Austria is a great way to learn about the country, its traditions, culture, and history.

Austria has much to offer in terms of nature, culture and historical spots. You can spend a day at one of the lakes in Salzkammergut, and then travel to the vineyards in Burgenland or the tall mountains in Tyrol. Each region has its own charm, traditions, and beautiful natural spots.

Getting the Klimaticket is a good idea if you want to travel a lot within the country. A standard annual ticket costs €1,095.

Cable car going up the mountain next to Achensee in Tyrol. Photo by Wolfgang Weiser on Unsplash

READ NEXT: EXPLAINED: How does Austria’s Klimaticket work?

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