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Nine unmissable events in Austria in summer 2024

The lively Austrian summer is here. We list nive events all over the country which you should not miss out on.

Published: 10 June 2024 16:32 CEST

Nine unmissable events in Austria in summer 2024

People wearing traditional costumes during Villach Kirchtag. AFP PHOTO/DIETER NAGL (Photo by DIETER NAGL / AFP)

Summers in Austria offer a lot of interesting events. It does not matter in which region you are; there is always something interesting soon taking place.

Here, we list nine of the summer’s most exciting events.

Filmfestival Rathausplatz

This film and cultural festival will be held at Vienna’s town hall (Rathausplatz) from June 29th to September 1st.

Here, you can enjoy outdoor screenings that offer something for everyone. The program includes classic movies, recent blockbusters, documentaries, and opera and ballet performances.

In addition to the screenings, the festival also offers live bands, performances, DJs, and food and drink stalls.

The festival is free of charge, and you can check out the program here.

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Villach Kirchtag

Villach Kirchtag is a traditional festival taking place annually in Villach, Carinthia.

This year, the festival goes on from July 28th to August 4th and offers days filled with live music, artistic performances, amusement rides, and traditional local cuisine and beverages.

Here, people dress up in dirndl and lederhosen, drink local beers, and enjoy Carinthian food such as Reindling (a type of sweet bread), Kasnudeln (cheese-filled pasta), and the traditional Kirchtag soup.

At the festival, you can meet both locals from the region and visitors from everywhere and together enjoy dancing on the street to different kinds of music all night long.

Find out more about the festival on its website.

Poolbar Festival in Feldkirch

The popular Poolbar Festival takes place annually in the medieval town of Feldkirch in Vorarlberg. This year, you can expect a program packed with concerts, readings, quizzes, cabarets, and more.

The lineup includes artists Wiegedood, Steel Pulse, Lena & Linus, Orbit, Klangkarussell, and Betterov.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, July 4th, and runs until August 11th.

On their website, you can check out the detailed program.

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Summer Blues Festival

This annual festival celebrates blues music at Ratzersdorfer See, close to St. Pölten.

The festival takes place on June 27th and offers a great line-up of blues bands from Austria and beyond.

In a beautiful setting, you can enjoy not only good music but also snacks, drinks, and local dishes.

Read more about it and buy your tickets here.

Nordkette Wetterleuchten

If you like electronic music and spending time in the Tyrolean mountains, this festival might be for you.

The festival takes place high above Innsbruck in the heart of Tyrol from June 13th to 14th.

As a guest, you will be transported up the mountain to 2,000 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy many different DJs, live acts, and other performances.

This year, DJs and artists such as DJ Kollektiv and Level Spaces will make you dance until dawn.

In addition to electronic music, the festival offers panoramic views of Innsbruck and stalls with a great variety of food and drinks.

Here, you can find out more about what is going on.

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Salzburger Festspiele

The Salzburg Festival is an annual celebration of art and culture in the historic old town of Salzburg. This year, it takes place from July 19th to August 31st.

Salzburger Festspiele is considered one of the most important festivals in the world for opera, classical music, and theatre. The organisers sell over 200,000 tickets each year.

The festival hosts world-famous orchestras, conductors, opera singers, and actors. The Vienna Philharmonic is one of the orchestras present every year.

You can see the program and read more about the festival here.

Lido Sound Festival

This diverse music festival takes place in Linz from June 27th to 30th.

Here, you can enjoy a multi-day celebration of music, arts, and culture. Lido Fest offers a diverse line-up of musical acts, ranging from local indie bands to well-known local and international artists.

This year, the program highlights include famous artists like The Kooks, Kings of Leon, and The Libertines.

In addition to the music, the festival also offers art installations, exhibitions, workshops, and other performances.

Read more about it, see the program and buy your tickets here.

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Riverdays in Graz

The Riverdays Festival in Graz celebrates local culture and outdoor activities along the Mur River.

It takes place from June 21st to 30th and offers a wide range of adventurous activities, from water sports and boat tours to hands-on experiences and top-level sports competitions.

As a visitor, you can enjoy treats from the street food market, live music performances, and the possibility to learn about environmental protection through the sustainability campaign, “active.sustainable”.

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10 things you definitely should know if you cycle in Vienna

If you use a bike to get around in Vienna, it is important to be aware of a few rules and key tips so you stay safe, warm, dry and out of trouble with Austrian police.

Here are 10 things that you should think about before jumping on your bike in Vienna.

Autumn and winter weather can be tough – but so can summer

Vienna weather’s can be brutal sometimes both in the winter, and summer.

During autumn and winter, you will experience rain, wind, and sometimes even snow, although it usually does not last for long. This means you might need to prepare yourself for whatever comes during your ride.

A good idea is to always keep a waterproof and windproof jacket in your backpack and a cap that you can wear under your helmet in case of rain.

If snow is still on the ground, waiting a while before jumping on your bike is better, given the streets may be slippery. Since snow tends to melt quickly in Vienna, you will probably not have to wait long.

Cycling in extreme heat during summer—as heatwaves become longer, harsher, and more common—is also not advised. On days when temperatures are forecast to go over 30C, it might be better to leave the bike at home.

Don’t forget your lights

In Vienna (and Austria in general), you must use front and rear lights when riding during darker hours and during times of reduced visibility, such as fog or heavy rain.

If you do not use bike lights, you put yourself at risk and face a fine of over €20 if caught. Some Vienna police officers are especially vigilant about catching bikers breaking the rules.

Look for the bike lanes

While biking around Vienna, you often ride alongside cars, trams, and buses. Many cycle lanes are available, but they are not everywhere, and sometimes, you may need to take a longer route to your destination if you want to avoid sharing the road with cars.

A good idea is to check where the bike paths are located and plan your route ahead of time to stay on dedicated paths as much as possible.

Although most car drivers in Vienna tend to show respect to cyclists, complex situations can take place on busy streets, especially during rush hours (mornings and late afternoons after work).

Exploring Vienna by bike during quieter times, such as Sunday mornings, is a good idea to get to know the city, its biking paths, and different roads better.

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Do not leave your bike outside overnight

Vienna is not known for being a city where bikes are often stolen, but it can definitely happen. According to the VCÖ, an Austrian public welfare organisation specializing in mobility and transport, 6,328 bikes were stolen in the Austrian capital last year, a decrease of almost seven percent from the year before but still the highest number in Austria in absolute figures.

A good idea is to always bring your bike into your basement, inner yard, or even your flat during the night.

Always lock your parked bike, even if you only go into a shop briefly, the VCÖ says. When locking up, ensure the frame and lock are attached to a bicycle bracket.

“If only the front wheel is attached to the bike stand, there is a risk that the bike will be removed and the rest of the bike stolen,” explained VCÖ spokesperson Christian Gratzer.

The organisation adds that people should replace the quick release on the saddle and front wheel with safety bolts and use a high-quality bicycle lock.

Always bring some tools with you

While riding around, it is not unlikely that something sometimes breaks, falls off, or starts causing problems. Therefore, it is important to always carry a small kit of the most essential tools with you, such as small screwdrivers and a compact bike pump.

The city has spots with bike pumps in some places, but since you never know when you might need one, it’s a good idea to bring your own.

If you don’t know how to repair minor issues with bikes, such as fixing a flat tire, watching YouTube videos can help.

Watch out for the electric scooters

You are likely to sometimes consider electric scooters as your worst enemies.

They move quickly, can be very quiet, share your lane, and are often ridden by people in groups. Many electric scooter riders tend to change speed quickly.

However, as long as you notice them in time, it should not be a bigger problem.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol

Just like with driving, cycling while under the influence of alcohol is not allowed in Austria. So, you will be fined if you are caught over the limit.

In fact, cyclists are only allowed up to 0.4mg of alcohol per litre of breath. If a breathalyser detects more alcohol in your system, you will be fined based on how much you have consumed.

From 0.4mg: €800 to €3,700 fine
From 0.6mg: €1,200 to €4,400
From 0.8mg: €1,600 to €5,900
Refusal to test: €1,600 to €5,900

As well as a fine, cyclists can lose a driving licence if caught cycling while drunk. According to the federal government, this is because “riding a bicycle while intoxicated can be an indication of a lack of traffic reliability”. Because of that, authorities may determine that you are not fit to drive and, therefore, revoke your driver’s licence.

Do not use a bike with thin tyres

Since Vienna is a city filled with tram lanes, using tyres that fit well into them can be dangerous.

In the city, it is almost unavoidable not to ride where you have to cross tram lanes or ride next to them.

Using slightly thicker tyres can make your trip safer. But if you absolutely want to ride your racing bike with thin tires, that should also be safe, as long as you always watch where you go.

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Vienna is sometimes hilly

Vienna is not completely flat; if you go higher up in districts such as Ottakring, Hernals, and Währing, you might feel like you are getting a bit of a workout.

During Viennese hot summers, this workout might make you arrive somewhat sweaty at your destination. If you want to avoid this, it is important to plan to wear breathable clothes, bring an extra set, or bike so slowly that you barely start sweating.

Also, it is good to remember that you are allowed to take your bike on the metro outside of rush hours.

Pedestrians share paths with bikes

In many parts of the city, such as along the Ringstraße surrounding the inner district, bikers share paths with pedestrians, sometimes leading to stressful situations.

Many pedestrians do not watch out for bikes, change their walking patterns, or might be listening to music. It is therefore very important to pay attention to your surroundings when you ride in this part of the city.

Take the red lights into consideration

If the light is red, you are not allowed to go through it, even if there are no cars or pedestrians crossing your route.

Another important thing regarding traffic lights is that, if you are unlucky, you might have to wait for the green light multiple times during your bike trip, which could make you arrive later than expected.

A good idea is to start a little earlier to avoid arriving late if you are going somewhere important.

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