17 things you need to do to make the most out of November in Vienna

The contemporary music festival, Wien Modern, will be inviting you all again to a series of exciting cultural encounters. Basically it’s all about contemporary arts and music. Let us tell you, it’s cutting edge stuff! Check out the full programme for more details.

Art & Antique will take you back in time by presenting notable pieces of work from numerous exhibitioners in Hofburg. If you’re a fanatic for old porcelain table-sets and can’t get enough of well-aged furniture, then this is the right spot for you. No worries if you don’t know your Ottoman from your side-table. The event’s organisers will be more than glad to help you with any questions. And there will also be paintings and these kinda things, so really: Don’t you worry.

The Vienna Art Week is taking place again in numerous locations around the city. This is a very broad event with all kinds of performances for you to get in touch with the city’s artistic scene. There will be exhibitions, talks, guided tours, performances, movie screenings… you name it, they’ve got it. Check out their programme and plan your artsy week!

Yes, once again in the month of October we’ll be enjoying that beautiful amber (now coming in a multitude of colours thanks to the craft beer trend) drink we know as beer. From tastings by large and small breweries to brewing workshops, and expert talks – they’ll have it all in the massive space of the cattle shed turned event venue, Marx Halle. If you’re a craft beer fan, this is something you won’t want to miss!

How it works? You buy tokens at a counter which is like magic beer money – you give the person behind a beer stand some tokens, and they give you a beer.

Blickfang Wien is bringing design from all fields to the MAK in November.

Many people await this event like Christmas! Especially the creatives of the city. Local and international designers are getting together to show their best of furniture, fashion and jewellery creations, plus all kinds of other stuff.

Starting November 8, the ALBERTINA will feature a large exhibition of Jim Dine’s work. He’s an American artist known for his contributions to the Pop Art movement and playful exploration of everyday objects and personal symbols.

You know that energetic sound of music that floats over to us from the Jewish people of Eastern Europe now and again known as Klezmer? If you don’t, you haven’t lived…well, danced. And if you do, you’ll know how energetic this instrument filled music can be and how it can be to dance to. And there’s a whole festival of it coming to Vienna this month! Local and international Klezmer ensembles will be filling venues all around town with the good vibes music. Be sure to check out the programme!

‘Poetry of the Ornament’ exhibition explores the history of Joh. Backhausen & Söhne, an Austrian company that’s been crafting upholstery and decorative fabrics since 1849. It might not sound exiting, but wait till you see the stunning designs created in collaboration with some of the big names of Viennese Modernism, like Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser.

Those who know, know. Another convention is ahead! The YuniCon! For those who are not giant nerds like we are, the YuniCon is a convention filled with Anime, Manga and Co. There’ll be a full programme of workshops, live acts, contests (we love a contest), and merchandise. Everything your little geek heart can dream of, basically. So whip out your cosplay and come along!

This festival will be screening international films for kids (starting at age 4)! The festival offers everything from simple tales for the youngest audience to thrilling adventures and heartfelt stories about growing up. Check out the full programme and find the film that’s right for you…um, we mean your kids.

Book enthusiasts and passionate readers will once again be spoiled by choice at this international book fair happening over 5 story-filled days at the Messe Wien, and many other locations around the city. So pack your reading glasses and warm up your fingers for some serious page-turning this month (or clicking if you read your literature on an e-book). There are many readings and discussions on the agenda so you might want to plan ahead and choose whatever sparks your interest.

Join this well-established autumn highlight for 3 nights of Indie Folk tunes that will speak straight to your melancholic heart. The dark and intimate interior of Porgy & Bess will host national and international artists that will awaken the blue bird inside of you. And while we totally made that one up and don’t know what it means, we still advise you to check out the lineup and then rush to get your ticket organised.

The event of the year for comic fans is here this month, during which the Messe will be filled with more people in costumes than at a Fasching party. But Comic Con is more than just fancy and outlandish outfits. There will be a floor packed with exhibitions, photo/autograph opportunities and panel events covering all aspects of gaming, Manga, film, Anime, comics, and much more. Even if you haven’t had a whole year to prepare your outfit, it is amazing what you can do with some cardboard and a bit of imagination (spray paint helps).

A tradition that sprang way back from a saint’s feast day sees people flocking to Gasthäuser (traditional Austrian taverns) to dine on delicious, succulent roasted goose. Martinigansl is a traditional dish of roasted goose accompanied typically by potato dumplings and Rotkraut. Get goose or go home this month (except you vegetarians and vegans… you guys, just ignore this tip altogether).

Tip: Check out our list of the places to get a quality Martinigansl experience.

As Autumn sets in, that familiar and pleasant smell of Maroni (chestnuts) roasting on an open fire begins to permeate the streets, with little stands selling them popping up around the city.

Even better, you can partake in an old Tyrolean tradition that saw farmers visit each other at this time of year after the grape harvest to try the first young wine of the season and east chestnuts.

So why not plan a chilly day meet up with friends where you hit up a Maroni stand, bring your own wine and do like the Tyrolean farmers do.

We might not necessarily be fond of the cold, but we do love our reindeer-motifed, wooly jumpers, our comfy thick socks and hats and our knitted underwear (yes, we knitted them ourselves ;-).

While rearranging your closet sounds boring, it can actually be quite fun and meditative. Put on one of your best playlists and dive into your wardrobe.

Tis’ the season, and in Vienna this many people’s favourite season simply thanks to those charming Christmas markets! A wonderful vibe spreads around town as markets bloom all over Vienna, and the smell of cinnamon, mulled wine, and sweet desserts fill the air. Be sure to get some Beeren Punsch in, get in the spirit, and enjoy every chance this season to get drunk at the market. If you need a cheat-sheet check the list of our favourite Christmas markets. 

And just in case, here’s a reminder of this year’s Christmas market dates in Vienna:

Schönbrunn Christmas Market: November 8, 2024 – January 6, 2025.
Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt: November 15 – December 26, 2024.
Spittelberg Christmas Market: November 16 – December 23, 2024.
Winter Market at the Prater: November 16, 2024 – January 6, 2025.
Am Hof Christmas Market: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Weihnachtsdorf Schloss Belvedere: November 15 – December 26, 2024.
Weihnachtsdorf Stephansplatz: November 8 – December 24, 2024.
Adventmarkt am Karlsplatz: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH: November 15 – December 23, 2024.
Winter im MuseumsQuartier: November 14 – December 23, 2024.
Haas & Haas Winter in the City: November 8 – December 31, 2024.