Leslie Massey
Austria observes 13 public holidays each year, with some additional days celebrated in certain states or industries. These holidays are regulated by the Federal Act Regulating Weekly Rest Periods and Public Holidays of 2010, which prohibits employers from requiring employees to work on certain days. Some of the notable holidays in Austria include Maibaum, celebrated on May 1st, the Vienna New Years Concert on January 1st, and Easter traditions like dyed Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of public holidays observed nationwide | 13 |
| Federal public holidays | Government offices and some stores close |
| Holidays with unique traditions | Christmas, Easter |
| Holidays with accompanying celebrations | Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Good Friday, Daylight Saving Time, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day, Austrian National Day, All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day |
| Holidays with legal regulations | Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Immaculate Conception |
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Christmas Eve
Christmas is a major holiday in Austria, and Christmas Eve is a time for family. Multiple generations gather together, often around a decorated Christmas tree, adorned with candles and surrounded by gifts. Each family has its own unique rituals, but the traditional Christmas carol "Silent Night, Holy Night" is almost always present.
In Austria, children believe that Christkind (Christ Child) delivers presents to children all over the world. Some families open the window on the evening of December 24, so the Christkind can come in. Children waiting outside listen for a bell, which is the signal that they can enter and find their gifts.
Advent is also an important time in Austria, with many unique traditions. The four Sundays leading up to Christmas see Austrians lighting candles, baking Christmas cookies, drinking hot Glühwein from the Christmas markets, and making music. The Advent wreath, featuring four candles, acts as a calendar, with a new candle lit each Sunday. The wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839 and has since become a popular symbol of Christmas in Austria.
On December 4, "Barbaratag", Austrians cut small twigs from cherry trees or forsythias. They put them in a vase and place them in the house. If the twig blossoms by Christmas Eve, it is considered a sign of good luck and health for the following year.
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Maibaum
The Maibaum is a maypole that is a part of traditional festivities in Austria and Germany. The tradition dates back to the 16th century and is still celebrated in towns and villages, particularly in the Bavarian Alps. The Maibaum is a decorated tree or tree trunk, often painted in the Bavarian colours of white and blue, or adorned with ribbons and streamers. Emblems depicting local crafts and industry may also be hung from the Maibaum.
The Maibaum is usually erected on 1 May, or the evening before, and is accompanied by a ceremony and celebrations. In some places, the tree is taken down at the end of May, while in others it remains in place all year round. The installation of the Maibaum often involves a procession through the village or town, ending in a central square or restaurant, and accompanied by a brass band. The tree is then raised with the help of long poles, tractors, forklifts, or cranes.
One unique aspect of the Maibaum tradition is the custom of stealing the maypole from neighbouring villages. Young people from one village try to steal the Maibaum from another, and if they succeed, the village that had its maypole stolen must invite the "thieves" to a feast with free beer to get it back.
The raising of the Maibaum is often followed by a maypole dance or "Tanz in den Mai", and other festivities such as brass bands and village or town fetes. The Maibaum is a beloved tradition in Austria and Germany, with many people looking forward to the celebrations each year.
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Epiphany
The word "Epiphany" is derived from the Greek word "epiphaneia", meaning manifestation, referring to the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form. The celebration of Epiphany began in the Eastern Church but was moved to the 6th of January after various calendar reforms in the 4th century AD. Armenian Orthodox Christians still celebrate the birth of Christ on this date, as their Church was established before the date change.
In Austria, Epiphany is celebrated with singing and graffiti. Catholic children dress up as the three wise men and go from door to door, singing Christmas hymns and blessing homes. They are known as "Sternsinger" (star singers) and are expected to receive small donations for a designated charity. The initials of the three kings—Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar—are also written in chalk above the doorways of houses.
In other countries, Epiphany is celebrated with various traditions. In Denmark, for example, Epiphany was abolished as an official church festival in 1770, but some people still celebrate the previous evening, Twelfth Night, by burning a special candle with three wicks. In France, people eat a cake called "La galette des Rois", ensuring there is an extra slice for any unexpected stranger who may arrive.
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Easter traditions
Easter in Austria is a time of celebration, with a variety of traditions and customs observed by locals and visitors alike. Here is an overview of some of the most prominent Easter traditions in Austria:
The Easter Egg
The Easter egg is a central symbol of Easter in Austria, as in many other countries. Austrians take great care in decorating hard-boiled eggs, using a variety of techniques such as painting, colouring, and adorning the eggshells with beads and fabrics. The tradition of painting eggs is said to date back to the period of fasting during Lent, when eggs were hard-boiled to preserve them and then painted with natural dyes to distinguish them from fresh eggs. These decorative eggs are often hung on willow branches as ornaments, symbolising both spring and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter Meals and Treats
After the period of fasting during Lent, Austrians indulge in a variety of festive meals and treats during Easter. A traditional Easter meal includes smoked meat, sausages, and spicy horseradish, served with either sweet or dark bread, depending on the region. In some areas, such as Styria, the Easter meat is accompanied by "Osterpinze", a sweet yeast bread. The "Osterjause", or Easter snack, is also popular, especially in Carinthia, Styria, and Tyrol. It typically includes "Osterschinken" (Easter ham) that has been blessed in a church, and is often enjoyed as a sandwich with horseradish and eggs. Another beloved Easter treat is the "Reindling", a sweet yeast cake speciality from Carinthia.
The Easter Bunny
In Austria, the Easter Bunny (known as "Osterhase" in German) is the beloved creature responsible for bringing chocolate treats to children. While British children might receive a large chocolate egg, Austrian kids often find chocolate bunnies hidden in their gardens or Easter nests. The bunny is a symbol of fertility and new life, which ties into the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
Easter Bonfires
On the night before Easter Sunday, Austrians partake in the tradition of lighting Easter bonfires, known as "Osterfeuer". This custom, practised especially in rural areas, is an ancient pagan spring ritual that has been adapted by Christians to symbolise the anticipation of the resurrection. The community gathers around the fire to sing, dance, and even jump over the flames. The parish priest lights a candle from the bonfire and carries it into the church, symbolising the return of Christ's light to the world.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and is a happy occasion in Austria. It commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, where he was greeted with palm branches laid at his feet. Austrians continue this tradition by bringing palm branches, often made of hazelnut branches and catkins decorated with colourful ribbons, to churches to be blessed. These blessed branches are then placed near the entrance of their homes or in their gardens.
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National holiday celebrations
Austria is the EU leader in official public holidays per year after Malta. There are 13 public holidays in a calendar year, each with its unique traditions.
New Year
Each year on 1 January, the Vienna Philharmonic holds a performance with a guest conductor at the famous gilded Musikverein concert hall in Vienna. Lucky ticket recipients are chosen by lottery, but the performance is also broadcast on TV and online.
Maibaum
The Maibaum, or maypole, is a longstanding tradition in Austria that has been celebrated since the 16th century. Erected on 1 May, people dance around it, accompanied by brass band processions through country towns.
Easter
Austrian Easter traditions are a mix of religious and pagan activities. They include dyed Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny for children, Easter bonfires, and "Eierpecken", a game where children tap hard-boiled eggs, attempting to crack their opponent's egg without breaking their own.
Christmas
Christmas in Austria is typically celebrated on 24 December, Christmas Eve, when Baby Jesus Christkind brings gifts. The country is famous for its Christmas markets, the biggest of which is in front of Vienna's city hall, surrounded by a vast ice skating wonderland. The markets are filled with stalls selling spiked punch, mulled wine, and traditional Austrian savoury dishes and desserts.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 13 public holidays in Austria each year. These include Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, and Maibaum.
Maibaum, or Maypole, is a traditional Austrian holiday celebrated on 1 May. People dance around a maypole accompanied by brass bands and processions through country towns.
Austrian Easter traditions are a mix of religious and pagan activities. They include dyed Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny, and an Easter bonfire. Children play a game called "Eierpecken", where they tap hard-boiled eggs and try to crack their opponent's egg without breaking their own.
