I thought that somewhere in my RS Vienna guidebook I had read that New Years in Vienna is crazy with parties and celebrations and prices go way up. Is this actually correct? I can't find the page with this info any more :( . Our family plans to be in Vienna for 6 nights Dec 29-Jan 4 and I was just wondering what to expect. My original assumption was that it would be just like any "regular" city celebrating New Year's Eve, but whatever I had read makes me think otherwise. Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Tracey
Posted by
2250 posts
The biggest event on December 31st is the Vienna New Year´s Eve Trail, running from 2pm to 2am. Details of this year's attractions have not been revealed yet.
https://wienersilvesterpfad.at/en/
Clicking on Programme will show you the different locations with their attractions and schedule of the past event which had about 800.000 spectators.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5511 posts
Yes, NYE is an expensive time to stay in Vienna as it is a popular place to be!
As mentioned above, the Silvesterpfad is the main attractions (Silvester=New Year's; pfad=path). The Silvesterpfad winds through the city center, with several stages blasting music throughout the day and night. There is food, drinks and mild chaos, given all the drinking. At midnight, it is traditional to waltz and listen to the big bell on the cathedral strike 12. There is really no main fireworks display - people buy their own and light them from rooftops, out of windows and from the ground. This can sometimes be scary/dangerous. On the morning of New Year's Day, it is very traditional to watch the New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic on a big screen as it is broadcast live from the Musikverein. Last year, there were big screens next to the cathedral for watching. For watching the midnight fireworks, the best areas at at the Prater or from one of the parks on the foothills that surround Vienna (or the rooftop of a friend, if you have one).
I hope that this gives you a feel of what to expect. As someone originally from the US, this is indeed a very different way to celebrate as I am used to the city putting on a centralized display.
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden
1029 posts
Thanks for this thread, I was just composing a new one about NYE 2025 - 2026, hoping Vienna might not be as crowded as Rome was last year. While the Dec 31st event sounds lovely for our 20-year old souls, no more. Thanks for the heads up, Emily!
(And if all that sounds like fun, you might like to check out Booking.com just to get an idea of prices, then I prefer to book directly with hotel.)
Posted by
2250 posts
... hoping Vienna might not be as crowded ...
You need not to participate in the New Year's Eve Trail. There are a lot of other possibilities to spend the evening (fancy dinner, concert, opera, etc.).
Posted by
OP
Edmonton, AB, CANADA
41 posts
Thank you everyone for all this help--it is so great.
We've decided to go to Vienna the week AFTER New Years, and the same accommodation was 50% less, wow! We look forward to experiencing this beautiful city.
Emily--I have a number of your posts bookmarked, and I look forward to sharing them with my family.
Tracey
Posted by
OP
Edmonton, AB, CANADA
41 posts
And we are staying in the Innere Stadt :)
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20355 posts
So, where are you going for New Year?