Lyla Lindsey
Austria, a German-speaking country in Central Europe, offers its residents 13 public holidays a year. These public holidays consist of religious, national, and cultural holidays. During these days, banks in Austria are closed, and most people spend time with their families. While some holidays are only recognized in individual Austrian provinces, there are several national holidays that are celebrated across the country.
What You'll Learn
Upcoming public holidays in Austria
Austria has 13 public holidays that are celebrated nationwide. These include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day. In addition, there are regional holidays, which are only celebrated in certain regions or states. With that said, here is a list of upcoming public holidays in Austria:
2024
- 6 January (Saturday) – Epiphany
- 1 April (Monday) – Easter Monday
- 1 May (Wednesday) – Labour Day/May Day
- 9 May (Thursday) – Ascension Day
- 20 May (Monday) – Whit Monday
- 30 May (Thursday) – Corpus Christi
- 15 August (Thursday) – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
- 26 October (Saturday) – National Holiday
- 1 November (Friday) – All Saints' Day
- 8 December (Sunday) – Conception of the Virgin Mary/Immaculate Conception Day
- 24 December (Tuesday) – Christmas Eve Holiday
- 25 December (Wednesday) – Christmas
- 26 December (Thursday) – St. Stephen's Day
2025
- 1 January (Wednesday) – New Year's Day
- 1 May (Thursday) – Labour Day/May Day
- 1 November (Saturday) – Immaculate Conception
- 24 December (Wednesday) – Christmas Eve Holiday
- 25 December (Thursday) – Christmas
- 26 December (Friday) – St. Stephen's Day
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Religious holidays in Austria
As a Catholic country, Austria observes a series of Christian holidays. However, it's important to note that while some of these are public holidays, they are not necessarily days off from work as dictated by the Working Hours Act. For instance, Good Friday and New Year's Eve are public holidays but not days off.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar.
Easter Monday
This holiday is celebrated the day after Easter Sunday, commemorating Jesus Christ's resurrection.
Ascension Day
Ascension Day is observed 40 days after Easter Sunday, commemorating Jesus Christ's ascension to heaven 39 days after his resurrection.
Whit Monday/Pentecost Monday
Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames upon the Apostles.
Corpus Christi Day
This is a Catholic liturgical solemnity celebrating the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Assumption Day
Assumption Day is the day Mother Mary ascended to heaven.
All Saints' Day
This holiday remembers all Christian saints.
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day
Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24 and is a public holiday in Austria, followed by Christmas Day on December 25, a special day for Christians in the country. St. Stephen's Day commemorates the first Christian martyr.
Immaculate Conception Day
Immaculate Conception Day is observed in Austria, though the specific details of this holiday are unclear.
Epiphany
Epiphany is a Christian holiday celebrated globally on January 6. It commemorates two events recorded in the Bible: the three wise men's visit to baby Jesus and Jesus' baptism.
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Federal public holidays in Austria
As a Catholic country, Austria observes a series of Christian holidays. However, only a few are recognised as federal public holidays. These include Christmas Day, Boxing Day (or Saint Stephen's Day), Immaculate Conception, International Labour Day, and New Year's Day.
In addition to these, Good Friday is a national holiday for those of the Protestant religion. Although it is a public holiday, it is not a day off under the Working Hours Act. The same goes for New Year's Eve.
Each province also has a national holiday for their patron saint, which is only celebrated within that province. These are national paid holidays but are only recognised in their specific area. For example, Florian's Day is only celebrated in Upper Austria, while Rupert's Day is only celebrated in Salzburg.
Public holidays in Austria are regulated by the Federal Act Regulating Weekly Rest Periods and Public Holidays of 2010. This Act is very specific about national holidays, and employers are expected to familiarise themselves with it. One of the most important parts of the Act is Chapter 3, Section 13a, which prohibits employers from requiring employees to work on 8 December.
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Provincial holidays in Austria
Austria has 13 public holidays that are celebrated nationwide. These include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day. In addition, there are regional holidays, which are only celebrated in certain regions or states. Each province has a national holiday for their patron saint that is only celebrated within their province. These are national paid holidays but are only recognized in their specific area.
For example, Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg celebrate Tag der Volksabstimmung, while Lower Austria and Vienna observe this day as a bank holiday but not a federal public holiday.
Some religious holidays are also celebrated in Austria, although they are not officially recognized as public or national holidays. The exception is Good Friday, which is a national holiday for the Protestant religion.
Other notable holidays in Austria include the Vienna Opera Ball, held annually in February, and the Salzburg Festival, a renowned classical music festival.
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Holiday traditions in Austria
Austria is known for its holiday traditions, from Christmas markets to maypole dances. With 13 public holidays in a calendar year, Austrians know how to celebrate.
Christmas and Advent
Christmas is a big deal in Austria, with Christmas markets held throughout December. The markets offer spiked punch, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts. Austrians also celebrate Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. This is a cosy, reflective time, with candles, biscuits, and the smell of Vanillekipferl (a type of biscuit).
On December 6th, St. Nicholas brings chocolate and peanuts to good children, while the devilish monster Krampus visits those who have misbehaved. On Christmas Eve, families gather around a decorated tree, exchange gifts, and sing "Silent Night, Holy Night".
New Year's Day
On January 1st, the Vienna Philharmonic performs with a guest conductor at the gilded Musikverein concert hall in Vienna. This event is broadcast worldwide.
Easter
Austria's Easter traditions are a mix of Christian and pagan customs. There are Easter markets, egg hunts, and the Easter Bunny. Children play a game called Eierpecken, where they tap hard-boiled eggs together and try not to break their own. Traditional foods include Osterjause, a dish made with meat, eggs, and horseradish.
May Day
On May 1st, Austrians celebrate with the Maibaum, or maypole. People dance around the maypole, accompanied by brass bands. This tradition dates back to the 16th century.
National Day
On October 26th, Austria celebrates its National Day. This day commemorates the political advancements made since World War II. It's a day of free entry to national museums and an annual address by the Chancellor.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 13 public holidays observed nationwide each year in Austria. These include New Year's Day, Epiphany, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, Austrian National Day, All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day.
Although not public holidays, there are several important observances in Austria, such as Mothers' Day (second Sunday of May), Fathers' Day (second Sunday of June), Good Friday (third Friday of April), and Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Yes, Austria has many unique holiday traditions. For example, Christmas in Austria is famous for its Christmas markets throughout December, where people enjoy spiked punch, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian food. On December 6th, St. Nicholas brings gifts to well-behaved children, while the devilish monster Krampus visits the misbehaved ones.
Yes, each province or state in Austria may have additional holidays specific to their region. For example, Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg observe the Tag der Volksabstimmung, while Lower Austria and Vienna have their own unique holidays.
