Fall is sweeping into the city: October in Vienna transforms the city into a picturesque fairy tale, with cooler temperatures, but also with golden leaves and crisp foliage crunching under our feet. It’s the perfect time for cozy moments in inviting cafés and delightful restaurant visits. And beyond that, Vienna has plenty to offer this month: Discover international design exhibitions, magical moments, spooky nights, and a highlight for tennis fans —there’s something for everyone here.
A real Viking adventure awaits you at Vienna’s Marx Halle! Experience an immersive journey through Norse mythology, where you’ll dive headfirst into the world of the Vikings. The story centers on the warrior queen Aslaug, wife of Ragnar Lodbrok. Become part of her world and sail across stormy seas, marvel at flaming skies, and discover ancient rituals. Wander through misty forests filled with runes, listen to the call of the horn, and experience the mighty World Tree Yggdrasil up close. Thanks to 360° projections and VR, the epic world of the Vikings comes to life once again.
During the ORF Long Night of Museums, hundreds of museums, galleries, and art venues throughout Austria and in parts of neighboring countries open their doors to culture-loving night owls. Every fall, the event gives visitors access to countless exhibitions from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. With just a single ticket, you can discover a wide variety of art treasures, experience exciting special programs, and travel comfortably from highlight to highlight via shuttle bus.
💰Regular ticket €19 / Reduced ticket €16
October is Wiesn time! And you don’t have to travel all the way to our neighbors in Munich to enjoy it. Vienna also hosts the region’s largest Oktoberfest with the Wiesn-Fest! You can party the night away in three festival tents, five alpine huts, and with plenty of live music. Admission is free during the day; in the evening, you’ll need tickets for the tents. O’zapft is!
In October, Candlelight in Vienna has a diverse program in store for you: from soothing sounds for parents and their babies to tributes to legendary pop and rock icons, to emotional film scores and timeless classical masterpieces. There’s something for every musical taste. And in keeping with the season, spine-tingling Halloween melodies will, of course, give you an extra dose of goosebumps.
Vienna Design Week 2026 will celebrate its 20th anniversary from September 25 to October 4, 2026. Austria’s largest design festival takes place at numerous venues throughout Vienna. This year’s festival headquarters is a striking office building at Hietzinger Kai 101 in the 13th district. There, as well as at partner venues, visitors can expect a wide variety of exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, and talks on product and social design.
Halloween at the Prater
No October in Vienna would be complete without the special Halloween night: Get ready for some real chills at Vienna’s Prater! In one of the many haunted houses, spooky figures await you, and witches and monsters roam the streets. And some of the attractions themselves—like the roller coasters—will send your adrenaline soaring. Don’t miss the big Halloween parade: It kicks off at the Prater at 6:30 p.m.
Embark on a spectacular journey through time spanning 3.5 billion years of Earth’s history! Developed in collaboration with the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, you’ll experience firsthand how the Earth, Sun, and Moon were formed . You’ll dive into the Archean Eon to encounter the very first forms of life in the ocean and continue your journey all the way to the Jurassic Period. There, you’ll stroll through lush primeval forests, encounter giant insects, and come face-to-face with giants like the T. rex, marine reptiles, and ichthyosaurs. Experience the fascinating history of life up close.
Austria’s National Day on October 26 commemorates the country’s neutrality, declared in 1955. A diverse program awaits visitors around this date: Vienna entices with the large Austrian Armed Forces exhibition at Heldenplatz and the Vienna Security Festival at Rathausplatz. In addition, institutions such as the Parliament and the Federal Chancellery open their doors for an open house, while numerous museums offer free admission and local communities invite visitors to hiking days.
From October 15 to November 1, 2026, the 750-year-old Schlaining Castle will transform into a magical Halloween world for the whole family! As soon as you cross the moat, glowing sculptures and eerie figures will greet you. Inside, kilometers of string lights and neon-lit rooms create a one-of-a-kind setting. There are also exciting highlights like hands-on workshops, an immersive movie theater, spooky walking acts, and a miniature straw castle for kids. Stroll past market stalls, sample delicious Halloween snacks, and enjoy the view from the castle tower.
The Viennale 2026 will take place in Vienna from October 22 to November 3, 2026. Austria’s largest international film festival will thus celebrate its 64th edition. The venues are historic cinemas in downtown Vienna, such as the Gartenbaukino, Urania, Metro-Kinokulturhaus, and Stadtkino. For about two weeks, the Viennale will present a diverse program of international feature films, documentaries, short films, and retrospectives, featuring numerous prominent guests.
Starting October 9, Vienna’s METAStadt will transform into the ultimate Minecraft world! At the “Minecraft Experience – Villager Rescue,” you’ll swap your controllers and keyboards for real physical action: In a one-hour real-life quest , you ’ll dive right into the iconic block world to rescue the villagers. A glowing orb guides you through fantastic biomes as yourun, jump, and collect resources. Working together as a team, you’ll craft tools, face off against nasty creepers and skeletons, and fight your way through the portal.
The Pumpkin Festival “Am Himmel” in Döbling is one of Vienna’s most popular fall events. At the end of October, the meadow near the Lebensbaumkreis transforms into a colorful market centered around the versatile pumpkin. With a magnificent panoramic view of the city, visitors can enjoy Styrian pumpkin specialties, regional delicacies, and Sturm. Children can look forward to creative pumpkin carving and a colorful kite festival, while the picturesque backdrop of the Vienna Woods invites you to linger.
Explore the Pyramid of Cheops as it was 4,500 years ago on a unique journey back in time to ancient Egypt. Together with a virtual guide, you’ll stroll through mysterious burial chambers, marvel at the Sphinx, meet the cat goddess Bastet, and even experience a real mummification process up close. The entire adventure is based on scientific research from Harvard University —exciting, extremely realistic, and educational all at once.
