Heritage, traditions, and folklore is highly valued in Austria. Throughout the year different traditional festivals take place all over Austria.
A study by IMAS showed that 9 out of 10 Austrians think protecting and keeping Austrian traditions alive is vital. Many traditions are connected to the catholic church, others are part of rural folklore, and some celebrate the end of harvest time. Nonetheless, most of these festivities are lively, colourful, and folksy, with a high party factor. After the processions or main events, people usually gather for food and drink. Moreover, most traditional festivals are public and free to attend.
Almabtrieb
There are still about 11.000 alpine pastures in Austria. After spending the summer grazing on alpine pastures, the cattle return to their farms in colourful processions. The so-called “almabtrieb” is a popular event that takes place from the end of August until the end of September. The cattle are beautifully decorated with headgear made out of evergreen and flowers found in the Alpine meadows, combined with colourful ribbons, glitter, and mirrors.
For more info, check out the websites of the regional tourist offices.
< Click on the images to enlarge >
Krampus
Krampus is the creepy companion of Santa Claus (St Nicholas’ in German). The Krampus is half-goat, half-demon, whose job is to punish and scare any misbehaving folk, while the well-behaved receive their treats from Santa Claus. In early December, the Krampus (Perchten) parades loudly through towns and villages. It is customary to offer the Krampus a schnapps (a strong distilled fruit brandy).
For more info, check out the websites of the regional tourist offices.
Summer solstice – Sonnenwende
Midsummer is a vital highlight also in Austria. The year’s longest day is celebrated in different ways throughout the country. Summer solstice in the Wachau region in Lower Austria is a magnificent display of artfully shaped bond fires and splendid fireworks. Furthermore, the lovely romantic Danube Valley, with its vineyards, provides a brilliant backdrop. River cruise ships gather at spots on the Danube where the passengers can watch the spectacle. You can also enjoy the spectacle on land, as they take place on both sides of the river. Sonnenwende in Wachau is one of the most famous traditional festivals in Austria. Hence, you should get your boat tickets and book accommodation as soon as possible.
For more info: https://www.donau.com/en/sonnenwende/
ADVERTISEMENT
Samson parades
During the summer months (June to August), you can enjoy the magnificent spectacle of a “Samsonumzug” in the Lungau region in Salzburgerland and some neighbouring villages in Styria. The Samsons are 5-7 meter tall figures paraded through villages. Written sources report about Samson parades in Lungau from about 1690. Accompanying the colourful Samsons are marching bands and civil guards in historic uniforms.
For more info, check out the websites of the regional tourist offices.
Daffodil Festival – Narzissenfest
The Narzissenfest (Daffodil Festival) is a flower festival in Ausseerland, Styria, which has taken place every spring since 1959. In the Salzkammergut in Austria, the daffodil has a white flower and grows on the meadows in the region. Hundreds of thousands of these daffodils are collected by hand and put together in fantastic figures on floats. All the floats are then paraded on Lake Altausseersee. The locals dress up in lovely local traditional costumes.
For more info, see: https://www.narzissenfest.at/en/
-
Situated on the banks of Lake Constance, the town of 29.000 inhabitants is a world away from Vienna at the other end of the country. The westernmost state capital of Austria – Bregenz, is best known for its annual theatre festival. However, the city also offers visitors seaside escapes, mountain hiking, and innovative architecture. Nonetheless, […]
-
Time travel a few hundred years back to the Middle age when the entire village was full of people dressed in historical costumes, and armed knights roamed the streets mingling with flame breathers. The Middle Ages come alive at what has become the legendary folk festival in Mauterndorf, an hour’s drive from Salzburg. Every July […]
-
Going on a day trip from Vienna by public transport is easy. Whether you are in Vienna by plane or have driven here by car, you can quickly go on a journey of discovery just outside the city. We have been on 4 fantastic day trips with entirely different experiences, which you can do in […]
-
Austria has short urban funicular railways and longer tracks that take you up the mountains. A funicular railway consists of two vehicles that counterbalance one another rather than independently operated railway cars. Furthermore, they are usually barrier-free and perfect if you are a wheelchair user or travel with a stroller. 1. Hallstatt – Salzbergbahn A […]
-
Markets always add life and colour to a city. Moreover, they are a great way to get to know a city’s people and culture. Vienna has made a conscious effort to preserve some of the traditional markets. Not only as points of sale but also as local meeting places. Nonetheless, a few markets, such as […]
-
Although barrier-free travel in Austria is not readily available everywhere, slowly but surely, more and more destinations offer at least some access for guests with restricted mobility or families with small children in strollers. Focus on mobility Whether hiking with a pram, wheelchair, or walker, or with other impairments, if you are looking for comfortable […]