Everything you need to do this week & weekend in Vienna

Our favourite Swedish band is hitting the Gasometer. Get ready for heart-pumping rhythms and garage rock vibes!

“Once upon a time, long, long ago, beyond the high snow-covered mountains, there lived a woman with her two daughters….’ Sound like your kids’ cup of tea? Well, why not take them to a ‘KLASSIK COOL!’ interactive concert then? Here, they’ll dive into a rather unique fairy tale world, complete with talking apples and singing bread rolls. This quirky blend of storytelling, piano, and classical music might just keep them glued to their seats for 45 minutes. And after the concert, they get the chance to experiment with the instruments themselves (good luck to your ear-drums!). Suitable for ages 2 and up.

Celebrating that creepy Central European folklore dude, Krampus, this Tuesday with a show of horns and fire. The Schwechat Krampus group “Lucifer’s Inferno” puts on a family-friendly show with pyrotechnics and eye-catching costumes in the huma eleven parking lot (near the Mitte/McDonalds entrance).

After being closed for a while, the Wien Museum reopens on December 6. Following an official opening (with the Mayor and all), everyone is free to enter and roam the halls from 8pm till midnight. Check out the revamped space and the free ‘Vienna. My History’ exhibit.

PUNK’S NOT DEAD is coming to Rhiz Vienna with a lineup that’ll make your grandma’s vinyl collection look like child’s play! Brace yourselves for DARKO, THE SINO HEARTS, and a mystery act who might just be your next musical crush. Miss it and weep, punk lovers!

With 10 amazing teachers, 5 parties and 7 live bands the name ‘Blues Fever’ is more than justified. A weekend full of social dancing, high-level classes, panel talks about the Blues, master classes AND competitions. So if you get the blues for the Blues, then this one is for you!

Emma-Mo’s second album is about to drop, and she’s taking it up a notch, promising a more personal and honest musical journey. Catch her album release show this Thursday.

The first-ever Pink Oktoberfest is hitting the city with a fabulous ‘Krampus Edition’. Pink, plush, and oh-so-posh – from 8pm till the stroke of midnight, and then party till 4am. Late-Bird tickets available from 10:3opm at a reduced price.

The WUK Wien is hosting a Silent Disco – a party where every guest gets a pair of headphones which receive the music played by the DJs on their turntables. There’ll be all kinds of music played: Hip-Hop, House, Charts, and some Classics. The best thing is, you can always switch to a different channel if the music doesn’t suit you.

If you’re new to the Silent Disco format, you should definitely check that out. If not, you already know you’ll be there. The only party where you can actually have a chat with someone without you two having to scream ‘WHAT??’ for the twentieth time.

All the naughty children are up for a night of joy, music, glitter, treats, snacks, and free shots. Don’t know about you, but we’re in!

The globetrotting maestro, Victor Ruiz, is coming to Grelle Forelle! This Brazilian beat wizard is all about self-expression and pure escapism. So, if you’re one of those Grelle-Forelle-folks who appreciate this kind of music night, come out to play on Thursday, which, this week, will be our Friday.

A tantalising celebration is happening at Luftbad. As the dark red lights cast their seductive glow, let eclectic beats by DJs IGUANO, PHIL, and MO lead you on a sensuous journey through the festive eras… well, you get the gist. This is going to be a HOT Christmas party.

A cool, genderless lingerie brand, Full Of Desire, and Sheyn, the Vienna-based 3D printing homeware brand, are collaborating to create a Christmas Pop-up. They promise winter treats and drinks, a cozy atmosphere, and an array of unique goodies you might not find at any other Christmas market.

The Vienna International Gig Poster Show is back in town. At this event, 14 artists from six countries display their gig posters for big-name bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and Nine-Inch Nails. Think limited edition, band-approved, signed, and numbered silk screen prints – a collector’s paradise and a must-see.

Keeping up tradition this December is the Open House Theatre, who take on the mantle of performing the classic story from Dickens on stage, A Christmas Carol. The Dickens classic has been on the Vienna calendar for 30 years and acts as the perfect thing to get you in the mood for Christmas. Oh, and did we mention the play is in English?

Vinokilo is back with a vintage kilo Sale this weekend! What’s a vintage kilo sale, you ask? Well, it just means you can grab as many clothing items as you like, and instead of paying per piece, you pay per kilo. It’s that simple.

So, if you wanna go home with a lot of clothes while only spending a few pretty pennies, we suggest you stick to the lighter stuff (yep, leave the big boots for some other sucker).

If you’re more of a Friday night concert than Friday night party kind of person, this is for you. Meet SKRATTVATTEN (aka Laughing Water) – your new favourite acapella quintet. They’re ready to serve you up a musical cocktail of Scandi’ tunes, jazzy vibes, heartfelt ballads, and a sprinkle of Christmas tunes.

Hey there, music lovers with a taste for the authentic and the timeless! Peter Kern’s upcoming gig is where you need to be. Kern hits the stage of Tunnel Vienna this Saturday with a mix of original tunes and classic covers.

Vienna’s open-air international designer market is back! This time, it’s all about Christmas Wonderland vibes.

WAMP brings a bunch of local designers from all niches together in a great atmosphere in front of Vienna’s MQ. There are also usually a few food trucks supplying some tasty street food. After all, shopping does make us hungry.

If you’re in the mood for a banger Christmas party, Merry RoXXmas at Marx Halle promises a party that will knock the halo off the Christkind’s head!

Rami Art Market is happening again, featuring over 30 exhibitors showcasing unique ceramics and art. Don’t miss out on delicious vegan treats and a chance to buy your artsy friend something extremely artsy for Christmas. Or snag something for yourself. We won’t tell anybody.

This is Vienna’s 2nd largest film festival that comes with plenty of powerful messages in powerful films that will have you thinking about the big wide world.

In 11 days, This Human World plays various documentaries and fictional feature films, short films, animations, and experimental films, all revolving around the theme of human rights issues.

This festival puts into the spotlight the films that aim to encourage people to scrutinize and re-examine their views and raise awareness about the situations where human rights are being violated. Don’t keep going on about how the world’s turning to shit on your IG feed – get educated at this fascinating festival. And check out our film recommendations here.

We don’t even know where to start with this one since there is so much to do! Okay, so basically, it’s an advent market in the Ottakringer Brauerei. And there is A LOT on the programme. There’s everything from typical Christmas market activities like drinking Punsch to super exciting things like curling (reservations needed)! And they also have not one, but multiple markets on different dates. We highly recommend you check out the programme on their website so you don’t miss anything!

This year’s Hirschstetten Flower Gardens exhibition, which is themed ‘Christmas Fairy Tales’, brings to life nine stories, including classics like Dickens’ ‘Christmas Story’ and the Brothers Grimm’s ‘Frau Holle’.

While you’re there, check out the Advent market with over 50 stalls of traditional goodies, from gingerbread to handmade toys and ceramics. Kids can have a bit of fun, too, making Christmas decorations with the city gardeners.

Heads up! The exhibition is open Thursday to Sunday. Also, construction work limits car access to the South entrance (1220 Vienna, Quadenstraße 15), so opt for public transport or use the North (Oberfeldgasse) or West (Spargelfeldstraße 22) entrances.

With so many culture events taking place – be it exhibitions in museums, powerful plays on theatre stages, art shows that scratch that inspiration itch – getting your daily dose of culture in Vienna is easy-peasy. That is, if you have our awesome art and culture guide, which tells you all about the best events happening in Vienna right NOW (or soon-ish). If you think we’re missing any important ongoing culture events, drop us a message Instagram, or the good old, oldschool way, via mail.

‘It’s good for your soul, it’ll broaden your horizon, and you’ll connect with nature…’- sound like your super enthusiastic outdoorsy friend? Well, we’re about to sound a lot like them, as well. Yes, climbing up and down hills during crazy cold temperatures is somehow pleasurable for many, and when they tell you it’s the perfect escape from your worries and woes – they ain’t lying.

Hiking and Austria go together like hot chocolate and winter, which you can reward yourself with once you’ve completed your trail! Check out our list of nature walks to find out where you can start your new weekend activity all by your lonesome. Oh! And make sure to get yourself a Wanderpass! This way you can gamify your hikes.

The city has dressed itself up in the spirit of Christmas with a shit ton of glittering lights. Woohoo!

Especially in the city centre, Christmas lights have been draped overhead across streets. Plus, the stores and restaurants have gone to the effort to bring a smile to our faces by decorating their facades.

So, one night this month – heat up and pack yourself some Glühwein, or homemade Punsch, dress up warm and go through an enchanting walk throughout the first district, enjoying all the glitter and bling that Christmas in Vienna brings.

What would Christmas time be without some delicious cookies, right?

Sure, you could simply buy them from the nearest supermarket, but let’s be honest, where’s the fun in that?

So we’re suggesting you go ahead and make some of your own Christmas cookie classics!

It just so happens we have put together a collection of seven fantastic Austrian Christmas cookie recipes coming from a real Oma. And everyone knows, Oma’s recipes are the best!

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.

We definitely think it’s time for you to get back out there even though it is winter and cold. Fresh air and movement will have your endorphins flowing and put you in a happy glow-y mood. Who doesn’t want that? Go get your friends, family, maybe even a date or take yourself and put those fancy skates on your desperate feet. You will thank us later. Oh… and not to forget there are multiple ice rinks here in Vienna such as Wiener Eislauf-Verein, Kunsteisbahn Engelmann, Steffl Arena or Eisring Süd.

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.