January in Vienna: 8 things to do at the start of the year

The Vienna Philharmonic’ s New Year’s Concert traditionally takes place on January 1st and is watched all over the world. While around 2,000 people can attend the concert in the Great Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, a full 50 million people worldwide watch it on television or live stream. The program mainly includes pieces from the Strauss dynasty, but there are also a few other musicians in the repertoire. The conductor this time is Yannick Nézet-Séguin; his first New Year’s concert in Vienna. If you can’t be there in the hall, watch the concert on ORF’s TVthek or on television from 11:15 instead.

If you can’t get enough of classical music at the beginning of the year , you shouldn’t miss the Candlelight New Year’s Concert. Here you can also expect pieces from the Strauss dynasty, such as the “Ohne Sorgen” polka or the “Fledermaus” waltz. By the light of hundreds of candles, the FOS string quartet will take you on a unique musical journey that will give you a magical start to the new year. Let yourself be carried away by candlelight and don’t miss this magical concert in January.

Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean you have to miss out on mulled wine and punch. At the winter market in the Prater, you can still expect the atmospheric stalls for hot delicacies, combined with the usual Prater rides, making a trip here an absolute highlight even in January. The motto “The Prater rocks” will still put you in a great mood, as the musical program will heat you up with a mixture of soul, pop and gospel. As always, the traditional New Year’s concert awaits you on January 1st, which is broadcast live and guarantees the perfect start to the new year.

Schönbrunn Palace also remains a little Christmassy at the beginning of the year. The Christmas market here is not only the first to open in Vienna, but also the last to close. The 95 romantically illuminated huts will continue to provide you with hot drinks and delicacies, as well as handicrafts. You can get active with curling and ice skating and take wonderful souvenir photos in the Lindt “Golden Christmas” experience world for a memorable start to the New Year.

If you’re already at Schönbrunn Palace, you should definitely take the opportunity to stop by Imperial Lights. Stroll along the dreamlike path of lights with the palace as a majestic backdrop. Here, magnificent works of art and impressive depictions of imperial personalities come to life in sparkling splendor. Imperial Lights offers the perfect winter stroll: the fascinating light sculptures include royal clothing and jewelry, classical musical instruments and, of course, the nostalgic carousel horse. Various dancers and many other highlights ensure a magical start to the new year.

Anyone who has resolved to do more sport from January onwards can put this resolution into practice at the Vienna Ice Dream. You can skate and curl in the open air on a whopping 10,000 square meters. You can skate on four areas and along several paths between City Hall and the Burgtheater and enjoy your ride through the park. Thanks to the viewing platform on the Sky Rink, you have a wonderful view of the action. You can hire skates on site and there are lockers available for your personal belongings. You can buy tickets directly at the Eistraum or online, where you save 10% on online tickets.

Instead of skating yourself, you can leave it to the professionals and just watch. Holiday on Ice returns to Vienna in January and combines ice skating with dance and acrobatics. Experience a spectacular show with music, light and performance that you won’t soon forget. Be impressed by the skills of the 40 figure skaters who will give their all for you for over two hours. Don’t miss the biggest ice show in the world, which brings the spirit of the big city to the skates for you.