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

Ok people, if you haven’t done at least half of the things on Vienna Würstelstand’s ultimate winter bucket list before the end of January, well, we might just have to call Omi Margaret to have a stern word with you, and a spanking. We could imagine she’d say something like this – Stop complaining about the cold weather, and get your ass outside and play in the snow! Check out the only winter bucket list for Vienna you’ll need.

The grey sky, early nightfall and puddles on the pavement are enough to get anybody down in the long winter’s month of January. Getting back to basics and learning to appreciate the small things again can be a good way of fighting back those winter blues. One way of doing this is by taking up a daily ritual.

 A few Würstelstand suggestions:
+ Wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual and enjoy a coffee/tea/cigarette in silence, either reading the newspaper, staring out your window or writing your thoughts down
+ Walk to work/uni or go for a walk in the lunch break
+ Regular sex
+ Switch off the computer at least an hour before bedtime

There’s no other feeling like it – the cold on your face, a red nose, gliding over the ice, and on occasion falling in a puddle of melted ice.

Get your skates on and visit one of the ice skating rinks around Vienna. We especially recommend checking out the ice skating rink at the Wiener Eislaufverein in the center of the city or the famous rink at Rathausplatz, Wiener Eistraum. The atmosphere is perfect for winter.

Winter is the ‘reader’s hour’, so we’ve heard. The weather can be pretty grim, and it’s very hard to find motivation to leave the house. It’s the best time to immerse yourself in a great book. Hot chocolate, a warm bed, and fireplaces go really well with a book. So why not take a book and head to one of those cosy cafés where you can sit by a fire and lose yourself in a book?! Besides, some smart people say that reading is really good for your health.

Vienna Würstelstand has a podcast! Woot! Woot! Whether you have a love or love-hate relationship with Vienna and Austria – this podcast is for you!

The Wurst Guide to Living in Austria helps people make the most out of Austria (specifically Vienna) and life in this rebel of a country that moves to its own beat.

Join host, Jacob Moss, as he explores all the questions you’ve ever, or never, had about Austria & Vienna with guests that will fill you in on insider tips that enrich your life or tell stories that blow your mind. Experts, randos, and Austria-famous people will turn up here.

Have any suggestions, demands, or scoops on Austria? Hit us up on the @viennawurstelstand Instagram channel.

You can listen in on one of the first episodes below:

At this film festival you get to see ten international award-winning documentaries in a row. But don’t worry, you won’t have to spend the whole night at the cinema (even though that wouldn’t be such a bad thing, right?) since they are all short films.

And in case you feel like giving feedback after watching, you’ll actually have the chance to do so via your phone.

Find the full list of films that will be shown here.

We all know that part of what makes a great film great is an impressive soundtrack. Just think of all the classics that still give you goosebumps whenever you hear them. This concert will be all about cinematic music, performed by the renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

The conductor of the evening will be none other than composer Alexandre Desplat, whose work you might recognize from various films (like the Shape of Water or Grand Budapest Hotel for both of which he won an Oscar). A must-listen for all film (and music) lovers!

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.

Sigmund Freud was idolized by many. One of these admirers was the famous surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, who was deeply fascinated with Freud’s theories. So much even that it has influenced his art in certain ways.

This exhibition (which also marks the reopening of the Lower Belvedere) explores how Dalí’s obsession with Freud reflects in his artistic ouvre. On display will be over hundred works – paintings, sculptures, photos, films, books and more. All of which will make you see the artist in a completely new light.

It’s time for an elegant, Viennese style ball celebrating (and raising money to benefit) the LGBTQ+ community in Vienna. Start shopping now, you’ll want to look good for this one! You can stay current on ball information, here.