Public Holidays in Austria.

January 1: New Year's Day (Neujahr)

The traditional Vienna Philharmonic Concert, featuring the music of Strauss, is broadcast via television to more than 40 countries in the world. On ORF (Austrian channel) you can watch the concert around 11.00 a.m.

 

January 6: Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)

Young people dressed as the Three Wise Men with a star bearer go from house to house to bring good tidings and news of Christ's birth. They collect monetary donations for underdeveloped countries (but appreciate a small gift of cookies or chocolate). Usually they'll write C(aspar), B(althasar), M(elchior) and the year in chalk over the entrance of Roman Catholic homes. Stores are closed.

Easter Sunday and Monday (Ostern)

The "Easter-bunny" brings small gifts (chocolates, dyed eggs) to children and hides them in the garden. At many Easter dinner or lunch tables you will find a basket of dyed eggs and a lovely bunch of flowers made from pussy willows mixed with spring flowers like tulips or a bunch of catkins and beautiful hand painted Easter eggs hanging from them.

May 1: Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit)

International Labor Day

Mother's Day (Muttertag)

This will always occur on the second Sunday in May. Mothers receive flowers or small presents.

Ascension (Christi Himmelfahrt)

Christ Himmelfahrt is always on a Thursday and nine days prior to Pentecost/ Whitsunday. Stores are closed.

Pentecost/ Whitsunday (Pfingsten)

This holiday is 50 days after Easter. Stores closed Monday. Austrian schools are also closed Tuesday.

Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)

This is the second Thursday after Whitsunday. Stores are closed.

August 15: Assumption Day/Ascension (Mariähimmelfahrt)

This day is in commemoration of the Virgin Mary's ascension into Heaven. Stores are closed.

October 26: Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag)

This holiday commemorates the day when the neutrality law was voted in, in 1955. It has become a patriotic "fitness day", as many people all over Austria take long walks. The Parliament Building and all National Museums are open and visits are free to the public. Stores are closed.

November 1 & 2: All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day (Allerheiligen + Allerseelen)

All stores and schools are closed; on the second, only schools are closed. Austrians visit the graves of loved ones to light candles and lay wreaths or dried-flower arrangements.

November 11: St. Martin's Day (Martinstag)

This is not a public holiday. It is traditional to eat roast goose (Martinigansl). Carnival (Fasching) begins today, the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month and lasts approx. until the end of Feb. This is also the season for balls.

Advent

Begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The rich Austrian Advent traditions include the special magic of the Advent Christmas Markets (Christkindlmärkte), which are open from mid November to 24^th of December. Another tradition is the Christmas crown with its 4 candles. On the first Sunday, only one candle is lit. On the second, 2 and on the third, 3. Finally, on the fourth Sunday, all candles are lit simultaneously.

December 6: St. Nikolaus Day (Nikolaustag)

Nikolaus rewards Austrian children for the previous year's behaviour. His evil companion Krampus visits naughty children.

December 8: Immaculate Conception (Mariä Empfängnis)

Though this is an official holiday, stores are open.

December 24: Christmas Eve (Heiliger Abend)

Stores close in the afternoon and don't reopen until December 27. The Christ child (Christkind) secretly decorates the Christmas tree and brings presents. The presents are opened on the same evening.

December 25: Christmas Day (Christtag)

Traditionally, the day is spent with the family.

December 26: St. Stephen's Day (Stefanitag)

December 31: New Year's Eve (Silvester)

Have a walk through the 1^st district, which is very popular. Fireworks are traditional. At mid-night the bells of Stephen cathedral ring. It is customary to give relatives and friends good-luck charms for the New Year, such as marzipan pigs, clovers, chimney sweeps and mushrooms.