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Service & Information

Vienna online Vienna Hotels & Info winter.vienna.info Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 www.vienna.info Tel. +43 1 24 555 yourstage.vienna.info [email protected] www.facebook.com/ViennaTouristBoard www.facebook.com/LGBTVienna www.youtube.com/Vienna Tourist Info Center www.instagram.com/viennatouristboard Daily 09:00–19:00 #ViennaNow 1010 Vienna, Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse Credits Published by: Vienna Tourist Board, Tourist Info 1030 Vienna Main Railway Station Edited by: Susanne Kapeller Design: seite zwei Daily 09:00–19:00 Final artwork: Christian Eckart 1100 Vienna, All information subject to change. Am Hauptbahnhof 1, Errors and omissions excepted. at the ÖBB Infopoint Copy deadline: October 11, 2019 Maps: Freytag­Berndt and Artaria Printed by Druckerei Odysseus Stavros Tourist Info Vrachoritis GmbH at Vienna Airport Daily 07:00–22:00 In the arrivals hall

Printed in accordiance to the Guideline „Low pollutant print products“ of the Austrian ecolabel, Druckerei Odysseus Stavros Vrachoritis GmbH, UW­Nr. 830

2 Vienna Winter Dreams

If you wish to see Vienna at its most At the year’s end, Vienna becomes the enchanting, you should visit the city city of parties. The whole city dances in winter. Advent in Vienna is particu­ its way into the New Year as it follows larly atmospheric. The streets are the New Year’s Eve Trail through the magically lit; the city glitters and city center. After New Year’s Eve the twinkles at every corner. A stroll dancing continues at Vienna’s many around the city is the perfect way to balls; winter marks the height of the find Christmas gifts. The Christmas ball season. The city also offers plenty markets are especially inviting, and of opportunities to dance on the ice, full of treasures just waiting to be with its many ice rinks making Vienna discovered – from gourmet special­ a dream destination for ice skaters. ties to artisan crafts. Music fills the air Warm up again in one of Vienna’s during the festive season, mingling many welcoming coffeehouses or in with the scents of punch, Christmas one of over 100 museums in the city baking, and roasted almonds. exhibiting world­class collections. S MA THO KARL / SMUS OURI NT WIE © TTE IE OR GL : CE LA PA NN RU NB HÖ SC

Winter in Vienna?

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3 MICHAE Magical Christmas Markets

During Advent Vienna’s most beauti­ and Spittelberg. The Christmas mar­ ful squares are transformed into kets in front of Schönbrunn Palace magical Christmas markets, each with and at Belvedere Palace have an their own unmistakable charm, set unbeatable imperial flair. Although a either against a backdrop of impres­ little less traditional, during “Winter sive imperial architecture, along at MQ” the MuseumsQuartier rocks narrow streets, or spread over idyllic to the sound of cool beats. Those parks. And every Christmas market looking for action should head to the has its own special activities to keep Winter Market on the Riesenradplatz. children amused. But all these markets have one thing Those with a love of traditional fes­ in common: a wide range of sweet tivities will be drawn to the Vienna temptations and culinary delicacies. Christmas World on Rathausplatz, The scents of Christmas baking and the Old Viennese Christmas Market roasted almonds fill the air. Hot on the Freyung, and the Christmas punch and roasted chestnuts warm Market on Stephansplatz. Lovers the hands. And strolling through a of artisan crafts should head to the Christmas market is an excellent way Christmas markets on the Karlsplatz of finding a gift or two. EMPER ST TIAN CHRIS / S SMU OURI WIENT © CE LA PA E ER ED LV BE AT GE LA VIL AS TM IS CHR

The dates and opening times of selected Christmas markets are listed EMPER ST

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Vienna Christmas World

The largest and most well­known For children the park offers a Christ­ Christmas market, offering a mix of mas world with fairytale attractions, romance and nostalgia, is Vienna a nativity path, reindeer train, Ferris Christmas World on Rathausplatz. wheel, and carousel. Arts and crafts Aside from enjoying the traditional as well as baking activities for child­ Christmas market with around 150 sale ren are supervised in the Volkshalle at booths, visitors can also put on skates City Hall. Choirs and musicians play­ and glide around a 3,000 m² ice rink. ing atop the City Hall towers provide Several ice­covered pathways wind the musical backdrop to Christmas their way through the romantically on City Hall Square. And all this set lit City Hall Park, with romantic against the splendid facade of Vienna couples heading to the popular “tree City Hall. It’s simply Christmas at its of hearts”. best. D AU IG RR PETE / SMUS OURI ENT WI Z© AT USPL HA AT NR DO ORL SW MA ST CHRI

5 VIENNA Vienna Christmas Markets 2019 A selection – listed by district

1 Vienna Christmas World 5 Christmas Market on Rathausplatz on Stephansplatz Nov 15–Dec 26, 2019 Nov 15–Dec 26, 2019 Sun–Thu 10:00–21:30 Daily 11:00–21:00 Fri & Sat 10:00–22:00 Dec 24 11:00–16:00 Dec 24 10:00–18:00 Dec 25 & 26 11:00–19:00 Dec 25 & 26 11:00–21:30 Stephansplatz (towards Ice skating to Jan 6, 2020, daily Churhausgasse), 1010 Vienna 10:00–22:00, Dec 24 10:00–18:00 www.weihnachtsmarkt.at Closed Dec 31 Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna 6 Imperial and Royal Christmas www.wienerweihnachtstraum.at Market on Michaelerplatz Nov 15–Dec 26, 2019 2 Old Viennese Christmas Market Daily 10:00–20:00 Nov 16–Dec 23, 2019 Dec 24, 2019 10:00–17:00 Daily 10:00–21:00 Michaelerplatz, 1010 Vienna Freyung, 1010 Vienna www.vzfm.at www.altwiener­markt.at 7 Advent Pleasure Market 3 Christmas Village & New Year’s at the Opera House Eve Trail on Maria­Theresien­Platz Nov 11–Dec 31, 2019 Nov 20–Dec 26, 2019 Daily 11:00–21:00 Sun–Thu 11:00–21:00 Closed Dec 24 Fri & Sat 11:00–22:00 Dec 31 11:00–02:00 Dec 24 11:00–16:00 Mahlerstrasse, 1010 Vienna Dec 25 & 26 11:00–19:00 www.adventgenussmarkt.at New Year’s Eve Trail Dec 27, 2019–Jan 6, 2020 8 Winter Market 11:00–19:00, Dec 31 11:00–18:00 on Riesenradplatz Maria­Theresien­Platz, 1010 Vienna Nov 16, 2019–Jan 6, 2020 www.weihnachtsmarkt.at Mon–Fri 12:00–22:00 www.silvesterdorf.at Sat, Sun & pub hols 11:00–22:00 Dec 24 10:00–17:00 4 Am Hof Christmas Market Dec 31 12:00–02:00 Nov 15–Dec 23, 2019 Riesenradplatz, Wiener Prater, Mon–Thu 11:00–21:00 1020 Vienna Fri–Sun & pub hols 10:00–21:00 www.wintermarkt.at Gastronomy to 22:00 Am Hof, 1010 Vienna www.weihnachtsmarkt­hof.at EMPER ST TIAN CHRIS / MUS URIS TO IEN ©W TZ LA USP THA RA ON ORLD SW TMA IS CHR NA

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9 Almadvent 14 Christmas Village Nov 15, 2019–Jan 1, 2020 on the University Campus Mon–Fri 11:00–midnight Nov 15–Dec 23, 2019 Sat 10:00–midnight Mon–Wed 14:00–22:00 Sun 10:00–22:00 Thu–Fri 14:00–23:00 (Special opening times for the Sat 11:00–23:00, Sun 11:00–21:00 craft and baking parlor) Altes AKH/University Campus, Messeplatz 1, 1020 Vienna Alserstrasse/Spitalgasse, www.almadvent.at 1090 Vienna www.weihnachtsmarkt.at 10 Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace 15 Christmas Market & New Year‘s Nov 22–Dec 31, 2019 Market Schloss Schönbrunn Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 Nov 23–Dec 26, 2019 Sat, Sun & pub hols 10:00–21:00 Daily 10:00–21:00 Dec 24 11:00–16:00 Dec 24 10:00–16:00 Dec 25–30 11:00–19:00 Dec 25 & 26 10:00–18:00 Dec 31 11:00–18:00 New Year’s Market Upper Belvedere, Dec 27, 2019–Jan 5, 2020 Prinz­Eugen­Strasse 27 Daily 10:00–18:00 1030 Vienna Schönbrunner Schlossstrasse, www.weihnachtsmarkt.at 1130 Vienna www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at 11 Art Advent – Art & Crafts on Karlsplatz 16 Christmas Market Nov 22–Dec 23, 2019 in the Türkenschanzpark Daily 12:00–20:00 Nov 13–Dec 23, 2019 Gastronomy to 21:00 Mon–Fri 15:00–21:00 Karlsplatz, 1040 Vienna Sat, Sun & pub hols 12:00–21:00 www.artadvent.at Gastronomy to 22:00 Dec 24 12:00–15:00 12 Christmas Market on Spittelberg Peter­Jordan­Strasse/ Nov 14–Dec 23, 2019 corner of Dänenstrasse, Mon–Thu 14:00–21:00 1180 Vienna Fri 14:00–21.30, Sat 10:00–21:30 www.weihnachtimpark.at Sun & pub hols 10:00–21:00 Spittelberggasse, Burggasse, 17 Advent Market in the Schrankgasse, Stiftgasse, Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens Siebensterngasse, 1070 Vienna Nov 21–Dec 22, 2019 www.spittelberg.at Thu–Sun 10:00–20:00 Hirschstetten Botanical Gardens, 13 Winter in the MQ Quadenstrasse 15, 1220 Vienna Nov 7–Dec 23, 2019 www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/ Mon–Fri 16:00–23:00 blumengaerten­hirschstetten Sat, Sun & pub hols 13:00–23:00 MuseumsQuartier, 1070 Vienna www.mqw.at

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Vienna – a Shopper’s Paradise

It is not only the Advent markets Viennese handicrafts are internation­ which turn evenings in Vienna into ally renowned for their quality. The a twinkling, shining, and glittering seventh district, around the Christ­ affair, but also the festive Christmas mas Market on the Spittelberg, is street lighting. It transforms the city home to many young design outlets. into a magical wonderland. The And Vienna’s confectioners are Graben, with its enormous crystal all hard at work creating a constant chandeliers, takes on the feel of an stream of baked Christmas goods. open­air ballroom. Specialties including Vanillekipferl, A stroll through the first district Lebkuchen, Kletzenbrot, and Christ­ offers an exclusive shopping experi­ mas Stollen are popular Viennese ence, with the modern flagship stores souvenirs during Advent. So too are of international brands in Vienna’s city the snow globes produced by the center standing side­by­side with the original Viennese snow globe manu­ outlets of local manufacturers and factory. Did you know that the snow former purveyors to the Imperial and globe is a Viennese invention? Even Royal Court. Whether hats by Mühl­ the former president of the United bauer, Augarten porcelain, Demel States Barack Obama has one at home confectionery, glittering Sisi Stars at on his shelves. Köchert, or glassware by Lobmeyr,

10 Dancing into the New Year

All of Vienna is in high spirits, dancing “Fledermaus” on an enormous screen and celebrating the turn of the year, outside the opera house. On January 1, especially on the New Year’s Eve Trail. starting at 11:00, the New Year’s Con­ The city center, City Hall Square, and cert given by the Vienna Philharmonic the Prater all turn into huge party will also be shown here, as well as on venues, with an abundant range of City Hall Square and on TV for the gastronomy stands, live music, and millions of viewers who tune in from stunning fireworks. One tip is the around the world. It is the Viennese classical mile on the Graben: Here version of a hangover breakfast! anyone wishing to brush up their dancing skills can attend a crash Vienna’s New Year’s Eve Trail course in Viennese waltzing on the afternoon of December 31, in prepa­ Dec 31, 2019 ration for the midnight waltz later 14:00–02:00 city center & that evening. Vienna’s dance schools City Hall Square/Rathausplatz transform the Graben into a dreamlike 20:00–02:00 Prater open­air ballroom. The complete program: At midnight the crowds ring in the www.wienersilvesterpfad.at New Year by dancing to the peals of the Pummerin, the famous bell in St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Incidentally, the Pummerin is only rung on special occasions, one of which is the turn of the year. The peals of the Pummerin on New Year’s Eve are even broadcast New Year’s markets offer Austrian on the radio and TV and followed by handicrafts, lucky charms for the the strains of Johann Strauss’s famous New Year, culinary delights, punch, Blue Danube waltz. and mulled wine. You will find all On New Year’s Eve the Vienna State the dates on the Christmas market Opera will be broadcasting its perfor­ listings on pages 6–7. mance of the Johann Strauss operetta EMPER ST AN TI IS CHR / S ISMU UR TO IEN ©W NA VIEN IN VE SE YEAR’ 11 NEW Glittering Ball Nights

Vienna’s balls, with the strains of artists to the Austrian President, their waltzes, are famous around the and is even broadcast live on TV. world. The ball program starts at the The sweetest ball, well known for its beginning of the carnival season, on amusing and informal atmosphere, is November 11, with public waltzing in the Bonbon Ball in the Konzerthaus. the city center, and reaches its peak The more traditional balls, such as in January and February. During these those held in the Imperial Palace, months, those who are fit enough can adhere strictly to ceremony: Ladies take a turn on the dancefloor almost must wear long evening gowns, the daily: Over 450 balls are held in gentleman tuxedos or white tie. Young Vienna each year, a majority of them ladies in white dresses open the ball in the Imperial Palace. They include with their young gentleman partners the New Year‘s Eve Ball, the Ball of by dancing a polonaise. Only after the Viennese Coffeehouse Owners, the words “Alles Walzer” (Let the and the Hunters’ Ball. The Vienna waltz begin!) are spoken is the dance Philharmonic Ball in the Musikverein floor then also open to all. is another popular ball. Guests not only waltz in three­four Almost every occupational group in time at the balls, but can also enjoy Vienna has its own ball: the Confec­ the complete repertoire of ballroom tioners’ Ball, the Viennese Chimney dancing. There is also a disco on Sweeps’ Ball, and the Weightlifters’ every ball program. Special shows Ball – all perfectly normal for the Vien­ or group dances are put on at mid­ nese. The most famous of all is the night. Traditionally, every glittering Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera. ball night in Vienna ends at a sausage It welcomes prominent guests, from stand. D AU IG RR PETE / US OURISM IENT ©W LL BA RA OPE NA

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Vienna Ice World

Ice skating in the middle of the city, Vienna Ice World all made possible by Vienna Ice World on City Hall Square. A 9,000 m² Jan 22–Mar 1, 2020 ice landscape awaits skaters of all Daily 10:00–22:00 ages, making the Vienna Ice World Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna one of the largest open­air artificial Curling Mon–Fri 17:00–22:00 ice rinks in the world. Set against Online reservation required the backdrop of the illuminated www.wienereistraum.com neo­Gothic City Hall building, this is a unique event. Accompanied by Small Ice World pop music or the strains of a waltz, skaters glide over the ice on not just (part of Vienna Christmas World – one, but two levels: The Sky Rink is a see page 5) skateable first­floor ice terrace. Won­ Nov 15, 2019–Jan 6, 2020 derful ice­covered pathways wind Daily 10:00–22:00 their way through the romantically lit Dec 24 10:00–18:00 City Hall Park. Closed on December 31, 2019 A free practice area is available to young skaters from Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:00. From 17:00 onwards, Other open­air ice rinks: this area is converted into eight curl­ ing lanes on which curling teams can Wiener Eislauf-Verein demonstrate their sporting prowess. A variety of open­air stands as well Oct 25, 2019–Mar 8, 2020 as the popular Almhütte with its Lothringerstrasse 22, 1030 Vienna terrace welcome visitors wishing www.wev.or.at to warm themselves with a mug of tea or punch and to keep up their Engelmann Ice Rink strength with a few regional delica­ cies. 2,000 pairs of ice skates, pre­ Ice skating over the roofs heated with hot air, are available for of Vienna hire. Lockers are also on hand. Oct 26, 2019–Mar 8, 2020 Syringgasse 14, 1170 Vienna www.engelmann.co.at

14 Old Masters, Fresh Talents

More than 100 museums in a single ing many years in its “high­security city. Where can you find that? In hutch” (to January 6, 2020). The Vienna, of course. Rarely does a city baroque Belvedere Palace houses offer such a rich program of art, the world’s largest collection of including everything from major col­ paintings by Klimt, and his famous lections of international repute to “Kiss” is one of the key exhibits. The small galleries with original exhibits. Leopold Museum, housed in the pop­ Here in Vienna, exceptional artists ular MuseumsQuartier, is the place such as Gustav Klimt and Egon to go to admire the most important Schiele are as much at home as the and largest Egon Schiele collection in city’s more contemporary stars. the world as well as masterpieces of The Kunsthistorisches Museum Viennese Modernism. Vienna (KHM) houses the world’s larg­ Impressed? There is more to see, est collection of Bruegel paintings, because Vienna also boasts an and the Kunstkammer in the KHM is impressive contemporary art scene. the most important collection of its Aficionados should head to the kind in the world. The museum is de­ mumok – museum of modern art, the dicating an exhibition to Caravaggio Kunsthalle Wien, and the Belvedere 21 and Bernini, the two megastars of to see for themselves. Numerous the Roman early baroque, through to galleries, especially in the 1st and January 19, 2020. The Albertina owns 4th districts, support Vienna’s con­ one of the world’s largest graphics temporary art scene. And throughout collections,includingAlbrechtDürer’s the city, the skills of today’s street famous “Young Hare”, which will artists are on display. once again be on show after spend­ SEUM ) MU RY TO HIS T ( AR A EMPER ENN ST VI M U TIAN SE MU CHRIS / ES US SCH RI RISM TO OU IS NT TH NS WIE KU © EUM ) MUS RY TO IS TH ( AR NNA VIE R UE UM BA UL MUSE PA / US RISCHES TO OURISM THIS IENT 15 NS KU ©W THE OFFICIAL CITY CARD

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