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Vienna in late December, early January

We're heading to Vienna the last few days of December and have a couple of questions:
1. How cold does it get and what kinds of clothes should we pack?
2. Over the New Year holiday, do businesses and museums close down - will there be anything to do?

Posted by
5362 posts
  1. It will be bitter cold, most likely, especially if you plan to spend time walking around. Heavy coat, gloves, hat, warm shoes/socks, scarf will all be necessary. You should expect snow, but it is usually cleared quickly, so no need to special shoes.

  2. New Year's Eve and Day are big ones in Vienna. Look into the Silvesterpfad (New Year's path) that runs through the center of town and includes music stages, food, dancing, etc. This link is for last year, but gives you and idea:

http://www.wien.info/en/music-stage-shows/new-years-eve

The Vienna Philharmonic gives the world famous New Year's Concert which is broadcast live from a huge screen at the Rathaus. Join the locals in a waltz. The Christmas Market at Schonbrunn ends on Jan. 1, so definitely check that out too.

Shops will close early on Dec. 31 and for the entire Jan. 1 holiday. Check individual websites for attractions. Restaurants will be open, but make reservations if you want a table during the holiday.

Posted by
5697 posts

Thanks for the info, Emily. We will also be in Austria for Christmas / New Year. Planning to wear a hooded down parka ... but may change based on weather forecast in December just before we leave, in case global warming kicks in.
Wool socks, sweaters, hats, mufflers.

Posted by
5362 posts

Well then also enjoy some of the Christmas Markets. Everyone has favorites, but the best ones are Karlsplatz, Altes AKH, Spittelberg and Schonbrunn.

Posted by
500 posts

How cold would be? If you are adequately covered, as long as you walk you can resist the cold. But as you stop you will be freezing. I remember once having to meet a friend in Vienna on a Dec. 24th. We decided to meet a noon by the main door of the Cathedral. I arrived at 11.55am and I remember those five minutes waiting outdoor as very, very long.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks, Emily, for the information. We were in Norway last year at that time, and I suspect that Vienna won't be quite that cold!

Can we assume that businesses will be open again on January 2?

Posted by
17628 posts

Oh please people. (smile) how cold will it be in NYC on New Year eve this year? Who knows. I spend about every other Christmas or New Year a few miles south of Vienna in Budapest. The climates are pretty much similar. I have experienced daytime lows of 10F and daytime highs of 60F And why would you ask us armatures our opinions when the facts are easy to find? http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Vienna,Austria

Smile, i'm just yanking your chain a little. I love the region in the winter, especially when the snow is deep and white. Will be there myself for Christmas and New Year this year.

General; layer as needed:
Medium weight goose down jacket which compresses to a fraction of its size
Light Sweater
Medium weight long johns
Medium weight and lightweight shirts and trousers
Scarf
Cap with ear muffs.

New Year's Eve
Black Tie Formal, Black Great Coat, black mink ushanka (but then I have a closet to store it in)

OH, and for the long range forecast just before you leave. I use to look at that myself and I guess I still do, but four days before I leave it might say a week later it will be 80, three days before I leave it changes to 70, two days before I leave it says 90, then the day I leave it say 60, then when that day does arrive its none of the above. Sort of useless.
One thing I forgot to add to the clothing list is water resistant shoes (I wear the ugly Bean Boot style shoes) so you stay dry in the snow.

Posted by
527 posts

James.
Have you been at the Tokay again or the Egri Bikaver? (;-)

Posted by
17628 posts

No, I haven't been up that way in about 3 years. I keep getting side tracked. I love the region and i just never have enough time. I think the repair work on the square should be done by now. Hope so. Christmas we are going to spend a night in Sopron but that's about the extent of the traveling. Next year probably back to Slovakia and then on to Ukraine (fly fishing).

BUT, Bulls Blood is what I call Hungarian Chianti and there is usually a bottle in or two in the the wine rack. Drop by next time we are both there at the same time. Wine rack always full.

Posted by
5362 posts

Yes, business as usual on Jan. 2. Only Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1, 6 are public holidays.