Austria's May Events: A Cultural Extravaganza

Austria is known for its traditions and grandeur, and one of the best ways to experience this is by attending one of the many festivals or events that take place throughout the year. May is no exception, with a variety of events covering everything from music and dance to science and technology. Here is a taste of what Austria has to offer during the month of May:

The Vienna Festival, a cultural event featuring operas, operettas, musicals, theatre and dance, takes over the capital from the second week of May until mid-June. For those who prefer classical music, there is the Whitsun Festival in Salzburg, featuring a series of Baroque music concerts. If jazz is more your style, the Vienna Jazz Festival takes place from late June to mid-July and features over 50 international and local jazz stars.

For those interested in science and technology, the Advances in Materials and Pavement Performance Prediction conference in Vienna in early May might be of interest. This event focuses on traditional mechanic-related topics such as pavement models and experimental methods for estimating model parameters. Another event to look out for is the TEC - Tech & Execution Circle conference, which brings together IT executives from various industries to discuss driving value through technology and successful execution in digital and green transformation.

Whether you're a music lover, a scientist, or a tech enthusiast, Austria has something to offer during the month of May.

International Music Festival

Austria is known for its rich history, creative personalities, and remarkable heritage of art, culture, music, and landmarks. The country's cultural spirit shines through its customs, nature-loving traditions, and craftsmanship.

The International Music Festival is a traditional highlight of Vienna's concert calendar. It features top-class international orchestras, distinguished conductors, and classical greats. The festival usually takes place from early May through the first three weeks of June.

The festival presents a unique opportunity to hear some of the most renowned pieces in classical music, performed by world-class orchestras and conductors. The event showcases a diverse range of classical music, from Beethoven's "Eroica" and Mozart's "Jupiter Symphony" to Bruckner's "Romantic". The festival attracts some of the most prestigious names in the international music world, making it a must-attend event for classical music enthusiasts.

The venue for the International Music Festival is the Wiener Musikverein, located on Bösendorferstrasse 12 in Vienna. This concert hall is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and elegant architecture, providing the perfect setting for classical music performances.

In addition to the musical performances, the festival also offers a chance to explore Vienna's rich cultural and historical heritage. Visitors can explore the city's grand concert halls, majestic castles, and picturesque landscapes. They can also indulge in the local cuisine and experience the vibrant atmosphere of this historic city.

The International Music Festival is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of classical music while also discovering the cultural treasures that Austria has to offer. The combination of captivating music, talented performers, and breathtaking settings creates an unforgettable experience that reflects the creative spirit of Austria.

Vienna Festival

The Vienna Festival, also known as the Vienna Festival of Arts and Music, is an annual event that takes place over four weeks from mid-May to mid-June. The festival offers a diverse programme of operas, operettas, musicals, theatre, and dance performances. It presents a unique blend of new productions of classic favourites and avant-garde premieres, directed by internationally renowned directors. The festival also features guest performances by celebrated productions from renowned European theatres.

The Vienna Festival's musical offerings include a range of operas, such as Mozart's Così fan tutte and Monteverdi's Orfeo. Musical lovers can also enjoy Offenbach's La Vie Parisienne. Beyond music, the festival showcases an array of theatre productions, bringing classic and contemporary plays to life on stage.

The festival is organised by Wiener Festwochen, and bookings can be made through their website. The event takes place across various venues in Vienna, transforming the city into a cultural hub.

In addition to the Vienna Festival, the city of Vienna hosts several other events in May. These include the Genuss Festival, a food fair held in the Stadtpark, and the Festival of Joy, a free open-air concert celebrating the triumph over Nazi rule. The month of May also marks the start of the Vienna Blues Spring Festival and the opening of outdoor public swimming facilities for the summer season.

Spring Fair

The fair showcases home trends, regional highlights, martial arts, and American football, among other attractions. There are also culinary delights, with regional specialities and international options available. It is a true celebration of Austrian culture and springtime.

One of the main attractions is the outdoor gardening event at Stainz Castle, featuring over 100 exhibitors. Visitors can enjoy a variety of plants, decorative items, and handcrafted goods. There are also food stalls and entertainment, making it a fun day out for all the family.

The Spring Fair is a great opportunity to discover new trends and explore Austria's regional diversity. It is an event that brings the community together and offers something for everyone, from sports enthusiasts to foodies and those with a passion for gardening and crafts.

With so much to see and do, the Spring Fair is a wonderful way to welcome the spring season and enjoy all that Austria has to offer during this vibrant time of year.

Danube Island Festival

The Danube Island Festival, or Donauinselfest, is one of the largest free open-air festivals in Europe. Taking place on the long artificial island in the middle of the Danube River in Vienna, the festival attracts around 2.5 million visitors each year.

The 2025 edition of the festival will take place from 20-22 June, with 14 stages and around 700 hours of programming. The festival features a diverse range of music, including rock, pop, rap, hip hop, electronic music, swing, folk, and metal. In addition to musical performances, the festival also offers a variety of other activities and attractions, such as sports, workshops, and a family program. There are also food and beverage stands, as well as a pop-up design market.

The festival has a strong focus on inclusion and solidarity, with a symbolic opening concert for children and young people with disabilities. It also has a charitable aspect, with the two euro cup deposit being donated to help socio-economically disadvantaged families.

The Donauinselfest features a mix of local and international performers. Past performers have included Austrian legends such as Wolfgang Ambros, as well as international stars like The Backstreet Boys, Anastacia, and Bob Geldof. The festival is organised by the left-wing SPÖ, which has formed the city government for decades.

With its mix of music, entertainment, and community spirit, the Danube Island Festival is a highlight of Vienna's cultural calendar and a unique celebration of music and diversity.

Whitsun Festival

The Salzburg Whitsun Festival is an annual event held in late May or early June each year, over the Pentecost (Whitsun) weekend. The festival has been a highlight of the Salzburg event calendar since its inception in 1973 by Herbert von Karajan.

The original Whitsun Concerts were created to complement the Salzburg Easter Festival, with three orchestral concerts performed on Whit Saturday, Whit Sunday, and Whit Monday by the Berlin Philharmonic under von Karajan. After his death, the program was expanded to include guest concerts by international orchestras, such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 1998, the Salzburg Festival took over the event, renaming it the Salzburg Whitsun Festival. The festival organisers also added an opera performance and shifted the focus to baroque and classical periods, which are not traditionally played in Salzburg.

The 2025 Salzburg Whitsun Festival, from 6 to 9 June, is dedicated to the wide variety of Venetian music. The programme, Sounds of la Serenissima, will celebrate five centuries of music from the lagoon city, which was a centre of music printing and home to famous composers like Monteverdi and Verdi. Festival highlights include:

• Barrie Kosky's opera pastiche Hotel Metamorphosis with music by Vivaldi, illustrating the 18th-century tradition of reusing music.
• Monteverdi's Vespers for the Blessed Virgin, combined with the contemporary work Venetian Morning by Bruno Mantovani.
• A concert performance of Verdi's La Traviata, which premiered in the Teatro La Fenice.
• A chamber music matinee with Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder and Nono's ...sofferte onde serene..., performed by Markus Hinterhäuser and Matthias Goerne.
• John Neumeier's ballet Death in Venice, based on the novella by Thomas Mann, with music by J.S. Bach and Wagner.

Since 2012, the Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli has served as the artistic director of the festival, and she also performs as the female lead.

Frequently asked questions