25 things you need to do to make the most out of this October in Vienna

As the trees lining the Ringstrasse of the old city begin to turn all kinds of colours (trees are such show-offs), this is the perfect time of year to jump on your bike and cycle the sweeping boulevards.

We’ve made a super cool list (well, at least we think so) of the perfect spots for autumn walks in Vienna where you’ll find heaps of brown and gold inspiration for your gram’ gallery.

We recommend you begin at Stadtpark and head towards the University, carry on to Schwedenplatz, and if you still have the energy, ride on and disappear into the Prater park which is full of those show-off trees.

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.

Ok, Brat Summer is over—time for a classic Meg-Ryan-esque autumn fling. Start by checking out ‘Same Time, Next Year’ at Vienna’s English Theatre. It’s a romantic comedy that took Broadway by storm in 1975 (so basically, pre-smartphone era). The story follows two strangers who meet by chance, have a one-night fling, and decide to reunite every year, even though they’re both married to others. So basically, a situationship. This promises to be funny and touching, so come check it out!

Now this is something for fans of Austrian traditions (and drinking. Which is basically the same thing) – a beer festival!
Put on a dirndl or Lederhosen and head to the streers, for a day and night full of Schlager, Bretzeln and beer (obviously).

If the city’s hustle and bustle makes you want to run for the woods… you totally can! You can even listen to some good music, while you’re out there.

The Wienerwald Festival will be turning the Vienna Woods into a space of music during the month of October. The focus will be on young Austrian composers, but honestly, there’s a little something for everyone, from classical to quirky.

Vienna will see its Sake festival taking place again this October. Various events will take place throughout the city during this week that are dedicated to Japan’s finest rice wines. Take part in cheese & sake tastings, cocktail workshop, masterclasses with sake sommeliers (yup, that’s a thing) and much more!

This is one of those conferences that are meant to inspire you to change your life and career entirely, and get up very early in the morning for the days to follow, to, you know, simply create more.

At the Forward Festival, you’ll have the chance to feed your innovative and creative spirit with insights and ideas from some forward-thinking creative minds and successful entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, you’ll also be able to exchange ideas and network with other out-of-the-box thinkers in between keynote talks.

Find the complete program and other details about the festival on their website.

The Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien is doing another big exhibition, and this time it’s a retrospective of Paul Gauguin. It’s his first major exhibition in Austria since 1960! The show will take us through Gauguin’s evolution from his early post-impressionist days to his role as a modern art pioneer. It features over 80 works, including paintings, graphic art, and sculptures.

Again the first district will turn into a design Mecca (so they’re saying), with the Hofburg at its centre.

For the course of three days, the Hofburg will serve as a showroom for local and international design brands, from the fields of art, interior design, lifestyle, and technology.

While the heart of this design festival is in the imperial palace, you can pick up a map there which will lead you on a tour of the city centre along which you’ll discover a number of amazing design stores and galleries.

The event, Fair for Art Vienna, sees a mix of different creative scenes and periods of art coming together in one location – and all of this will be happening for over one week in October.

The fair has taken place every autumn for over 40 years, and each and every event welcomes a new wave of artists, while also showcasing the golden oldies.

Once a year, the museums are the cool kids in town and leave clubs and dance floors empty as they make crowds of people choose art and discovery over getting so smashed you pass out in the closest park on your way home. As part of the long night of the museum, museums and galleries will open their doors (including many rarely open places) from 6pm to 1am for all those interested in culture. Presentations, special exhibitions and other events will also be happening all over town throughout the night as part of the program.

One ticket will ensure you the entrance into a variety of museums, so plan ahead and map out your choices so you’re prepared. The main museums will obviously be the busiest ones, where queues are to be expected. So, why not use the occasion to check out the smaller, more underground and unexpected amongst Vienna’s museums? Such as a hat museum, or one dedicated to funerals? Get inspired by our guide of the lesser known, weird and wonderful museums in Vienna.

Vienna’s open-air international designer market is back!

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.

This October the Female Future Festival will be happening again. Its focus is on the female side of our species, particularly women at work and how they can get ahead in the future. This festival is for CEOs, women who want to climb the career ladder, and anybody else who is looking to create and achieve more. It’s worth checking out.

For all those real kids that love to game, kids that are supposed to be old enough to stand on their own feet and have jobs but instead live at home, eat pasta with butter and game all day, as well as those kids that do have real jobs but count down the moments until the mundane day is over only to go home and game – we present to you… (drum roll) Vienna Game City 2024!

So come to Rathausplatz, try new games, talk about games and game until you pass out in the park at 2 in the morning. Check out the details on their website.

If you love autumn, have been craving some time in nature, or simply dig yourself a little traditional holiday from time to time, the Wiener Herbsttage event at Burggarten is your kinda’ thang! The Austrian garden society is hosting the event at which it will exhibit and introduce you to some of their most precious plants, flowers, vegetables and fruits.

On the big screens of Vienna’s most charming cinemas, the Viennale film festival will be happening again this month.

This international film festival is always made up of a good range of local, European and international films. This is the one time of year our eyes go slightly rectangular, our diet consists mainly of popcorn, and every date turns into a movie date. But we love it!

Don’t know what to see yet? Check out our list of film recommendations.

Find anything and everything a parent could need (or just want) at this mini market. There will be clothes, accessories, and even a workshop a studio where one parent can let the kids make art while the other parent is shopping. We know which parent we want to be!

A platform to shine is especially important for new artists. This is precisely the purpose of this gathering.

They can display their work, network with other artists, and get new creative ideas. Events of this nature have long occurred in cities like Berlin and London, and they are now finally occurring in Vienna as well.

The whole nightlife hotspot strip, the Gürtel, will come alive again this October. And the partying is all in the name of charity! Just look at this night spots line up: The Loft, Fanialive, Gürtelbräu Wien, Loop Wien, wienstation, Chelsea, COCO Bar, Weberknecht, Roter Bogen, Rhiz Vienna, Kramladen, Cafe Concerto, Café Carina & B72. Check out the details on the event website.

Beer Pong is more than just a game. And supposedly, or at least in theory anyway, it is the only game in which the losers also somehow win. Whether you take part in the tournament happening at the Ottakringer brewery (where there are prizes galore), just play with some friends, or are simply there to spectate and enjoy the party, this should be one entertaining evening.

Don’t miss the most niche market of the year this Thursday as the Animarket gets once again under way. The next instalment of this popular market amongst this genre’s fans will once again be offering all things Anime/Manga and Japanese Pop culture in a location fit for everyone from children, collectors, enthusiasts, to people just looking for something a little different to do with an afternoon.

It’s pumpkin season in Vienna and, on the last weekend of the month, you can enjoy all the pumpkin you want at the Pumpkin Festival!

Now, we’re recommending this as we’ve heard from real Styrian people that this is one fun festival, so if it turns out to be crap, we can all throw pumpkins at these people together (which could be another idea for a festival).

Styrian producers will be selling their produce and goods, including wine and baked goods made out of those marvelous orange balls, and you can even carve up a pumpkin to take home for Halloween.

The music is typically…very Austrian at this event and plenty of that sweet, sweet Sturm is always flowing.

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!

IT’S SPOOKY SEASON, PEOPLE! Sorry, did we come off too strong? Well, we’re VERY excited about Halloween this year, as you can imagine. That’s why we’ve prepared a whole list of fun Halloween activities you can do in Vienna. Not all of them take place on October 31st, so check it out and get ready for some frightful fun!