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Decoding Austria

Public Holidays and Traditions

Did you know that Austria is the EU leader in official public holidays per year after Malta? There are 13 public holidays per calendar year.

Important Traditions

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Austrians take it quite literally. Christmas in Austria is typically celebrated on December 24th, Christmas Eve, when not Santa Claus, but The Christkind (baby Jesus) brings gifts. However, the season’s celebrations start long before that. Austria is world-famous for its many beautiful Christmas markets, each of which offer a unique experience and special ambiance. The biggest Christkindlmarkt in Austria is the one in front of Vienna’s city hall, surrounded by a vast ice-skating wonderland that snakes through the surrounding park. Austrian Christmas markets are filled with stalls where you can find a comforting mug of hot fruit punch, mulled wine, and a mixture of both traditional Austrian savoury dishes and sweet treats.

Santa Claus may not be traditional in Austria, but St. Nicholas comes to visit on December 6th. Children believe that if you’ve been good, St. Nicholas will bring you chocolate and peanuts, but Krampus, a horned, hooved devil with matted fur and adorned with noisy chains and bells, will visit those who have misbehaved. Krampus is also featured strongly in the Alpine PerchtenläufePerchtenläufe (), traditional processions where an entire squad of performers in goat hides and grotesque masks wreak havoc in the streets – until St. Nicholas calls them back.

Other Important Traditions

The Vienna New Year’s Concert is a tradition going back to the early 20th century. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs with a guest conductor on January 1st every year at the famous gilded Musikverein concert hall in Vienna. This event is broadcast around the world.

Easter traditions in Austria are a mix of Christian, pagan, and other cherished traditions that bring joy. From the classical coloured eggs and the Easter Bunny hiding gifts for children to Eierpecken (a game of crashing hard-boiled eggs into each other), the evening Easter bonfires or the mouth-watering food (meat, eggs, horseradish), there’s plenty for everyone to discover.

A Maibaum, or maypole, is a longstanding tradition in Austria. Erected on the 1st of May, people dance around it accompanied by brass band processions through country towns and villages.

Familie mit Kinderwagen
© Maskot / Westend61

List of Austrian Public Holidays

  • January 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY

  • January 6 EPIPHANY

    Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in the form of Jesus Christ. Celebrations often consist of children dressing up as the three wise men and singing. The initials of the three kings - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar - are written in chalk above the houses’ doorways for protection.

  • March or April PALM SUNDAY, SUNDAY BEFORE EASTER

    Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week (Karwoche) and is celebrated by taking large bouquets made of willow twigs and foliage decorated with ribbons to church. It commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem.

  • March or April EASTER SUNDAY & EASTER MONDAY, 40 DAYS FROM THE BEGINNING OF LENT

    The 40-day fast for Lent officially ends with the Easter Vigil. Easter egg hunts are organized for children, where they have to find Easter eggs, sweets, and other small presents hidden around the house and/or garden. Vienna’s biggest Easter Market can be found at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna

  • May 1 LABOUR DAY

    This national holiday is held in honour of the nation-building efforts of workers and includes parades and speeches held in the bigger cities. In some places, it also is celebrated as the arrival of spring.

  • May ASCENSION DAY, 40 DAYS AFTER EASTER SUNDAY

    The 40th day after Easter Sunday, celebrates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Like most other Christian holidays in Austria, people often go to mass on Ascension Day.

  • May or June WHITSUN, 50 DAYS AFTER EASTER SUNDAY

    This holiday takes place 50 days (approximately seven weeks) after Easter and 10 days after Ascension Day. It marks the end of the Easter cycle.

  • June CORPUS CHRISTI, THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY SUNDAY (FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST)

    Corpus Christi, also known as the Day of Wreaths, celebrates the bodily presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Many smaller Austrian towns celebrate this national holiday by hosting parades.

  • August 15 ASSUMPTION OF MARY

    This Roman Catholic holiday honours the ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

  • October 26 AUSTRIAN NATIONAL DAY

    This day commemorates the political milestones achieved in Austria since World War II, and it serves as a national open day, in which not only the Presidential Chancellery and the Federal Chancellery, but also all federal museums open their doors to the public.

  • November 1 ALL SAINTS DAY

    On this day all Christian saints are celebrated, especially those who do not have any other day assigned to them during the year. On this day, Austrians often go to the cemetery to visit and remember deceased family members and loved ones.

  • December 8 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

    This Roman Catholic holiday honours the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary.

  • December 25 & 26 CHRISTMAS DAY & BOXING DAY

    A religious day in which Saint Stephen is commemorated as the first Christian martyr.

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