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AUSTRIAN TRADITIONS

Christi Himmelfahrt: Why is Ascension Day a public holiday in Austria?

Thursday May 9th marks the Christian feast of Ascension - which means a day off work and a chance to take a 'Brückentag'. But why is it a public holiday in Austria?

Published: 16 May 2023 16:27 CEST
Updated: 18 May 2023 09:29 CEST
austria church stephansdom
People visit the famous St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna on August 11, 2021. (Photo by ALEX HALADA / AFP)

This year, Thursday, May 9th, marks Ascension Day, a traditional holiday in Austria. Many workers take advantage of this opportunity to create a nice long weekend taking “bridge days” or “window days”, as it is commonly known.

Ascension Day is a Christian festival commemorating the day followers believe Jesus ascended into heaven.

It always falls on the 40th day after Easter Sunday, resulting in its date varying each year. In Austria and Germany, it is referred to as Christi Himmelfahrt.

READ ALSO: Brückentag, Fenstertag or Zwickeltag? All the German words for getting longer holiday weekends

Why is it a holiday in Austria?

The holiday holds significance in the Christian church as a major event. Its origins can be traced back to early Christian times, with references to the Ascension found in various passages of the New Testament.

Christians celebrate the event which commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. The date, therefore, always falls on a Thursday. According to Christian belief, the day marks the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry and signifies his return to the heavenly realm.

Given Austria’s deep religious roots, Ascension Day is a national holiday and joins other Christian celebrations as an official bank holiday throughout the country.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How to maximise your annual leave in Austria in 2023

How is it celebrated in Austria?

In Austria, various regional customs are practised on Ascension Day. Processions take place in villages and, in rural areas, across fields during the so-called “days of supplication”. These processions have been a tradition since the sixth century and can occur on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.

Some churches mark Ascension Day by pulling a statue of the resurrected Jesus through a hole in th ceiling through the church’s attic.

READ ALSO: Why is Good Friday not a holiday in Austria?

Culinary traditions often include poultry dishes being served on this day. Additionally, in some parishes, Holy First Communion ceremonies take place on Ascension Day, which would otherwise occur on White Sunday.

The holiday is equivalent to a Sunday, meaning that stores and supermarkets – with few exceptions – will be closed. Schools, banks and other establishments also close. 

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WHAT'S ON IN VIENNA

What’s open and what’s closed on Ascension Day in Austria?

On Thursday it is Ascension Day, or Christi Himmelfahrt in German, one of the many May public holidays this year. Here is what is going on in and around the capital, and what will be closed.

Published: 6 May 2024 14:11 CEST
What’s open and what’s closed on Ascension Day in Austria?

This year, Ascension Day, or Christi Himmelfahrt, a national holiday in Austria, falls on May 9th. Many people working in Austria take the holiday as an opportunity to enjoy a longer weekend by also taking Friday off.

Ascension Day is a Christian celebration that honours the belief that Jesus ascended into heaven. It takes place 40 days after Easter Sunday and always falls on a Thursday. According to Christian tradition, this day signifies the end of Jesus’ time on Earth and his return to heaven.

In Austria, Ascension Day is marked by different local traditions. Villages host processions, and in rural areas, people walk through fields during the “days of supplication,” usually on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. These processions have been part of the tradition since the sixth century.

Many churches all over Austria hold special masses to celebrate the day. In some, the occasion is celebrated with a custom where a statue of the resurrected Jesus is pulled through a hole in the ceiling and up into the church’s attic.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Austria in May 2024

What is happening in and around Vienna?

Ascension Day offers a great opportunity to spend some relaxed time with friends and family. If you want to follow tradition, you can enjoy some poultry, which is typical to eat in Austria on this day.

If you live in Vienna, you can spend the holiday exploring some of the events taking place in the city.

The day marks the start of the Steffl Kirchtag festival (May 9th to 20th), held at Stephansplatz in the heart of the city. Here, you can find arts and crafts, stalls offering food and drinks, music, performances, and concerts.

If you want to enjoy some culture, you should check out the many interesting exhibitions and festivals currently happening in Vienna.

For example, the exhibition Smart World at the Vienna Museum of Technology is open for visitors and explores how artificial intelligence is changing our world. The ongoing festival Klima Biennale Wien is also open to the public and focuses on climate change through various exhibitions and performances.

If you are interested in enjoying a musical, the first performance of The Sound of Music at the Vienna Volksoper is scheduled for this day.

You can also celebrate the occasion and the morning off by enjoying the night before at the Gürtel Connection. This event takes place in 14 different bars along the Gurtel, the major avenue surrounding the inner city. The evening offers 50 different gigs and performances and you can spend as much as you like on the entry.

Most bars open their doors around 7pm and you can find out more about the event on their website.

If you instead want to spend time in nature without going too far away from the city, enjoying the day in the Vienna Woods, Wiener Wald, is a great idea. If you want to do some exercise while enjoying great views, you can explore some of the many city hikes, known as Stadtwanderweg, which you can read more about here.  

If you are up for a slightly longer journey, you can reach many interesting places with a short train ride. You can explore some great destinations to visit here.

 
 
 
 
 
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READ ALSO: 4 beautiful lakes you can easily reach from Vienna by public transport

What will be closed?

As Ascension Day is a public holiday in Austria, banks, post offices, supermarkets, and general medical practices will be closed. Most pharmacies will also be closed, except for those functioning as emergency pharmacies, which will remain open during the holiday. You can find a list of these pharmacies here.

Hospital emergency departments will be open if you need medical care. Additionally, each region offers a holiday on-call service (Wochenend—und Feiertagsbereitschaftsdienst) if you prefer not to go to the hospital. You can call 141 for medical services during holidays, such as a doctor’s visit or to obtain certain medications.

Public Transport

During the holiday, public transport will continue operating in Vienna and all over Austria, although sometimes with a reduced timetable, similar to that on Sundays.

In Vienna, trams, metros, and buses run with slightly reduced timetables. Here you find more information on the timetable for different lines, click here.

Mainline train services often run with a near-normal timetable. You can check out the timetable for ÖBB here.

READ NEXT: Eleven unmissable events in Austria in May 2024

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