20 things you need to do to make the most out of January in Vienna

Alright, let’s make sure you’re starting the year off right. One power habit we suggest you pick up is to start listening to the Vienna Würstelstand’ podcast every Monday. It’s the kind of advice you’ll find in every productivity-mindfulness-be-your-best-self-while-changing-nothing book. We looked it up!

Seriously though, we really love our podcast about our love-hate relationship with Vienna and Austria. It helps people make the most out of life in this rebel of a country.

Join hosts, Jacob Moss and Gabriel Schaffler, as they explore all the questions you’ve ever had, or never thought to ask, about Austria & Vienna, with insider tips that will enrich your life and stories that will blow your mind.

After another rollercoaster year (seems like we say that every year, right?), we’re all craving a bit of a reset. And honestly, what screams ‘fresh start’ louder than chilling by a heated pool, with a magazine in one hand and a mocktail in the other? For this, Therme Wien is a solid choice, offering a wealth of pools, peaceful lounges, and tasty food options. But hey, it’s not the only chill spot around. So, go on, prioritise that downtime and dive into relaxation – you’ve earned it!

This competition is where the classical music stars of tomorrow show off their chops. You’ll get to see raw talent and pure passion on stage, and who knows, you might just be witnessing a future maestro in action.

Vienna’s ball scene kicked off in the 19th century and it’s not stopping any time soon (hopefully!). This January, Vienna City Hall is going all out for the 100th Flower Ball. Picture a movie-like scene with 100,000 flowers, creating a backdrop for elegantly dressed dancers. Speaking of dress code, as expected, balls are about glamour – ladies in flowing gowns and gents in sharp tuxes or dark suits. So it’s a commitment, but if you’re ready to commit we hear it’s gonna be incredibly beautiful.

Yoga is a majestic art that calls on those who practise it to search for peace within themselves, an inner peace not many of us can achieve. But tranquil surroundings help a lot. This Saturday, retreat behind palace walls and getting your yoga breathing on within the majesty that is the Albertina gallery. Don’t forget to bring your own yoga mat (unless you want to do it on the hard floor, which we wouldn’t recommend).

The Wiener Eistraum is back for what is probably one of the most romantic things in a Viennese winter (or to get all of those bruises that you tell people you got in a bar fight). The winter wonderland that pops up in front of the Rathaus every year is up and running again and we’ll be bringing a group of friends, helmets and our phones up and ready to capture every moment. Check out the website for details, such as how much you’ll be forking out for entry and skate rental.

The ‘Rundgang’ is back with the Academy of Fine Arts once again throwing open their doors for us all to see what exactly its students have been up to and how the great young artists of tomorrow are taught. Across various locations (which are usually worth a visit any chance you get), works of all disciplines will be on display, and discussed while there is also a full programme of music and other entertainment happening around the city throughout the weekend. Check out the details here.

The funky crowd from the beloved radio station FM4 will be celebrating their birthday in the second half of the month, and as usual, they’re hauling in some mighty talented music acts to celebrate with them. Check out their website for more details.

The Schoenbrunn Palace Orchestra is set to perform Mozart and Strauss at the very place Mozart played in 1786. So if you feel like listening to operas and waltzes in a royal setting, this event is for you.

Need a rehab after the New Year’s shenanigans? Kick off the weekend at U4 with free punsch, special beer deals, and cocktails. Across two floors, DJs Filthy Beatz, Maex, and Kaileena will spin tracks that’ll make you forget all about those New Year’s resolutions.

Need a good laugh to make it through the rest of the year? Then check out this comedy event and feel free to laugh all the way throughout the show (especially when you think it might be inappropriate). Have fun!

One of the ballet classics by Tchaikovsky is the Nutcracker. If you ask us, seeing it is always a good idea. Especially at the start of the year, where all the Christmas magic is starting to wear off.

‘Afrika! Afrika!’ is coming to Vienna with it’s stunning acrobatics, authentic dances, and colourful costumes. This show is a cool, vibrant celebration of African culture, truly capturing the heart and soul of the continent’s diverse arts. Plus, there’s a life-size elephant puppet. Need we say more?

The time of preferring the indoors over the outdoors, with all its cosiness and warmth, has come. However, we still can get the full outdoor craziness (that we are way too lazy for) by simply watching a movie about it. A movie with many inspiring outdoor-sy kinda’ people telling their stories, completely unscripted. This is the real deal.

The Hands-On Museum for Children is launching a super cool, interactive exhibit for kids aged 6 to 12. It’s a playground where the kiddos can craft their own monsters while learning about diverse habitats and ecosystems. And you can sit in peace and quiet for 90 minutes.

Sci-fi fans, especially Star Wars fans – this one is for you. Come and wander through the treasure trove of over 1000 fan-collected items from the legendary Star Wars saga at ‘The Fans Strike Back’ exhibition. There’ll be life-size figures of your favourite characters, original costumes, sculptures, and more. Plus you can have yourself a cool VR adventure for an ultimate escape.

Did you know that you’ll be able to make all those plans of going to the theatre happen this January? Well, you do now! Because there’s no better month than January for dressing up and sitting in an audience, staring at the stage. Check out our cultural events guide for inspiration on what to see, or simply go with the obvious choices — a romantic musical that turns into a gripping thriller (Rebecca) or one of the most famous operas that our guy Wolfgang wrote (Don Giovanni).

You will not believe how many balls are set to take place in our fair city in January! Well, if you’ve been here a while, perhaps it’s not so surprising for you. Anyway, if your evening attire is pressed and ready, we suggest trying to attend at least one ball this season. The Ball der Wiener Wirtschaft and the Styrian Ball hold special places in our hearts.

January is officially the gloomiest month of the year and all of us need a giggle infusion to restore our will to live. So we suggest going to a stand-up club and laughing at someone else’s problems. For example, check out Cancel Culture comedy night for some not-work-safe humour and Victor Patrascan’s almost hopeful show ‘Falling in Love’.

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.