Spring 2026 Events in Vienna: Easter markets, Food festivals, Concerts, and Commemorations

Best things to Do in Vienna Spring 2026

At the first hint of warm spring weather, Vienna bursts into life again, much like the adagio of Beethoven’s spring sonata (No. 5).  The city’s denizens reappear on its cobbled streets with gusto, as if making up for lost time. Not quite warm enough to drink beer without a jacket, spring in Vienna sets the tempo for the rest of the year with dozens of cultural, artistic, gastronomic happenings. Our list of top spring things to do promises to make your visit to Vienna even more special.

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Easter in Vienna

Throughout Central Europe, Easter is a much lower key holiday compared to Christmas, but decorations of colorful eggs, bright flowers, and rabbits appear, reflecting the hope and renewal that the season brings. Easter markets pop up like daisies, offering wares such as hand-painted decorative eggs, flowers, Easter wreaths, and authentic crafts and decorations.

Schönbrunn Easter Market –March 25 to April 19, 2026

Not quite as ostentatious as the city’s famous Christmas markets, Vienna Easter markets also appear in many different venues. Our top pick once again is the Schönbrunn Palace’s gargantuan Easter market, with loads of entertainment and craft stalls on offer for the entire family.  You kids will enjoy the Easter Bunny workshops, while you get in the spring groove to live jazz – as well as great regional spirits and wine and local culinary delights.

Am Hof Easter Market – March 20 to April 6, 2026

If you prefer your Easter markets to be less bustling, the small market at Am Hof has all the charm of other Easter markets without the madding crowds. Located on a small square in Innerestadt, the Am Hof Easter market is s bit of a hidden germ in the heart of the city. Stop by to browse the Easter goods and sip some mulled wine while you do.

Easter season in Vienna often means partaking in special treats, such as Osterpinzen (traditional soft loaves of Easter bread) or Striezel (braided yeast pastry), or marizpan in the shapes of rabbits and eggs. You might see Easter treats such as pancakes (Kaiserschmarrn). Easter ham and gröstl (Austrian hash) grace many a traditional menu. Note that Easter Monday (April 6, 2026) is a public holiday, so many shops and restaurants may be closed.

Art

Art Austria Art Fair – May 7–10, 2026

Each May, the Museumsquartier in Vienna is abuzz with art lovers perusing work by established contemporary artists as well as up-and-comers. Many artists whose work appeared here have exhibited at the Albertina, including Ai Weiwei, Roy Lichtenstein, and Alex Katz. Whether you’re interested in adding to your private collection or just want to browse, Art Austria is the place to check out the latest and greatest in contemporary art.

Exhibitions

The Fascination of Paper at the Albertina – closes March 22, 2026

Paper is an ubiquitous, and often overlooked, medium in the arts, and this exhibition at the Albertina covers a range of ways artists have used paper for creation, inspiration, and experimentation. As home to one of the largest collections of drawings and prints in the world, the Albertina has arranged this exhibition chronologically, covering the century of the printing press to the present day, when paper feels all but obsolete. With copperplate engravings for playing cards, multi-part three-dimensional objects of monumental proportions, and rarely shown drawings, this exhibition reveals the versatility of paper as an artistic medium. Entrance tickets are €19.90 regular, €15.90 reduced.

Dealing in Splendor: A History of the European Art Market at Palais Liechtenstein Garden Palace – closes April 6, 2026

This international exhibition focuses on the history of the European art market, including marketplaces, sales strategies, and how pricing was determined for various artworks. Exploring the ages from antiquity to the Renaissance and Holland’s Golden Age to the transatlantic art trade in the 19th century, this exhibition features a comprehensive look on the trends, innovations, and peculiarities of the European art market throughout time. The exhibition is international, as several major works by Titian, Van dyck, Klimt, and in particular, four by Monet, are displayed on loan from museums across Europe along with selections of Palais Liechtenstein’s own collected paintings. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Monet’s death, admission to this special exhibition is free, with three paintings from his Houses of Parliament series and one of his Grainstacks on display.

IN-SIGHT: Johann Baptist Lampi the Elder and the Younger at the Upper Belvedere – opens May 13, 2026

The latest exhibition in a series examining notable masterpieces from the piece analyzed with modern technology to uncover new insights focuses on works by John Baptist Lampi the Elder and his son, the Younger. Using X-ray and infrared imaging, the Belvedere’s resident art experts have revealed hidden paintings beneath some of their most notable works and thus a story of the artists’ process. The overpainted works include the Portrait of Caroline and Viktor von Tomatis by the Elder and Venus Sleeping on a Day Bed by the Younger. Entrance tickets for the Upper Belvedere are €19.50 regular, €15.50 reduced.

Music and Concerts

Vinyl and Music Festival – March 7 & 8, 2026

Celebrating its tenth year, the Ottakringer Vinyl and Music Festival has gained cult status for collectors and visitors alike. Held in the fascinating industrial locale of the Ottakringer Brewery on the outskirts of Vienna, the festival is part flea market, part music shop and fully, a party, with live bands and numerous well-known DJs. March 8th, in observation of International Women’s Day, will feature all female acts. While it may occasionally feature international acts, this festival is as local and authentic as you will find in Vienna.

Vienna Blues Spring – March 20 to May 31, 2026

The Vienna Blues festival is exactly what you need to kick the lingering winter blues away. Sold as one of the world’s longest blues festivals, the party goes on through most of March and April at the unique Reigen theatre (which also hosts the summer jazz festival). With a host of genres from Delta, Chicago, Blues Rock to old school boogie, the festival showcases the best of the city’s homegrown talent, with some pretty well-known global faces thrown in for good measure. Check the website for the latest updates and program.

Wean Hean – April 26 to May 18, 2026

Viennese folk songs have a rich tradition, so much so that there is a festival wholly dedicated to the art of Wienerlied. In addition to performances of traditional favorites, Wean Hean also includes world music and contemporary jazz acts to link the musical continuum that classic folk songs exist in.

Salam Music & Arts Festival – April 17 to 26, 2026

 As Vienna’s Arab community has grown, so has the Salam Music & Arts festival. Taking place over 20 years, the festival is held in various venues throughout the city, with a new curator every year. Folk-blues fusion band Tinariwen is headlining this year’s festival, along with Iranian oud player Avin Ahmadi and singer Sheherazaad.

 Fest der Freude – May 8, 2026

May 8 is a holiday in Austria, marking the surrender of the German Army in World War II, thus freeing Austria from the yoke of fascism. Every year, a free concert takes place at Heldenplatz to celebrate this anniversary and commemorate those who witnessed the end of the war. While the program varies every year, the evening typically ends with a rendition of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The festival, after all, translates to “Festival of Joy.”

Eurovision Song Contest – May 12–16, 2026

Europe’s biggest annual song contest is hosted by Vienna this year, where the continent’s most flamboyant pop acts perform select singles in hopes of being voted the top performer in Europe. A Eurovision Village will pop up in Rathausplatz, with live musical performances all week. Expect some controversy this year, as five countries have already bowed out in protest of Israel’s continued participation, but this year’s finals are likely to be as campy as ever.

Festivals

Vienna Festwochen– May 15 – June 21, 2026

Over the course of five weeks, Vienna celebrates art and free expression with concerts, dance, theater, exhibitions, and workshops. This year’s theme is “The Republic of Love”, so expect multitudinous celebrations of love and meditations on the complex, universal emotion. The opening event takes place on a giant stage in front of City Hall, so expect a crowded Rathausplatz on May 18.

Food and Drink

Styrian Spring Festival – April 8 to 12, 2026

Each spring, trucks from the southeastern Austrian province of Styria, known for its food, wine and rich cultural traditions that have been kept alive to this day, converge in Vienna. Sample the pumpkin seed snacks, local cheese and sausage, giant pretzels, and sweet rolls from the region, and wash it down with Styrian wine and beer. With performers dressed in traditional costumes performing and dancing to folk music will perfect the mood. Set up in Rathausplatz, this distinctive cultural festival is a convenient way to get a taste of greater Austria without leaving Vienna.

Genussfestival – May 8 to 10, 2026

Vienna’s premier food festival takes place in the restful, green environs of the City Park, in the second weekend of May. Not quite summer yet, but warm enough to consider spending the better part of your day outdoors, scouring the 190 different stalls, for Austria’s culinary delights, from Alpine cheese, to Styrian pumpkin seed oil and Lower Austrian wines. From the innovative to the traditional, the Genussfestival has enough on offer to appease the most demanding of gourmets. Pro Tip: Visit on Friday – the first day of the festival, in the early afternoon – to beat the madding crowds that can build up over the weekend.

Vienna Beer Festival – May 2026

More than two dozen Austrian breweries come together each spring for the Vienna Beer Festival in a weekend celebrating local beer culture. The program includes tastings and traditional Austrian brass bands bringing a lively musical accompaniment to the beer and bratwurst.

Rochusmarkt Farmers Market – Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The Rochusmarkt Farmers Market gathers steam as the weather warms up and the fields become more bountiful. The farmers have more to offer and the price and quality far surpass anything you’ll find at a supermarket. Located on a leafy square in Vienna’s 3rd district, Rochusmarkt runs as a regular market, six days a week. What makes it special are the region’s farmers who pop up on Fridays and Saturdays, giving you a chance to take goodies straight from the farm to your table.

Film

Jewish Film Festival Vienna – April 9 to 19, 2026

Over two weeks in March, various venues in Vienna screen films by Jewish filmmakers, celebrating the contribution the diaspora has made to the medium. Focusing on small, contemporary filmmakers, the Jewish Film Festival often premieres films with special Q&As with the filmmakers, and many films are in English, or at least English-friendly. Stay tuned for the 2026 program.

Family Fun

Sunday Mass with the Vienna Boys Choir at the Hofburgkapelle – 9:15 AM Every Sunday from January 11 to June 28, 2026

Holy mass with the Vienna Boys Choir is the quintessential Vienna thing to do. Running from September to June, hearing the boys choir in action is an unforgettable experience, with their angelic singing and trained voices, as they reel off church favorites. The choir’s repertoire ensures that this is a great family experience. Our tip is the special Easter Mass on Sunday, April 5th. Tickets will sell out early, especially for the Easter Mass performance, so get them well in advance.  

The Vienna City Marathon – April 19, 2026

Marathons on holiday can be great family fun too. The Vienna City Marathon with a Youth Race (for ages 12 to 18) and Kids Race (for ages 7 to 15), in addition to a 10K, Half and Full Marathon.  The race literally has an option for everyone in the family. We can’t think of a better way to familiarize yourself with the incredible Habsburgian architecture of the city than to run around some of its most famous monuments, including the Opera House, Schönbrunn Palace and across the Danube. Registration for the marathon is open until the end of March, or until spots fill up. Make sure to train well before you participate!

Long Night of Churches – May 29, 2026

One night a year, Vienna’s churches open to the public after hours to show their breathtaking interiors and artistic and religious treasures. Some churches even host concerts, ranging from classical to contemporary pop and rock performances, and organ recitals to welcome visitors in. Participating churches in Vienna this year include St. Augustinerkirche, the Reformed City Church, and St. Michael’s. If there’s a church you’ve particularly wanted to explore, this night is your chance!

Want to explore all the historic sights of Vienna this spring and learn the stories behind the monuments? Contact us and book your tour with Insight Cities. We have a cadre of expert guides who tell the stories of their home city with a personal flair, making exploring and learning about Vienna enlightening and entertaining. Book now to get your guide before the season gets busy!