Top Things To Do In Vienna May 2026
Which are the best things to do in Vienna in May 2026 to break up your sightseeing? Because it’s prime season, May has rare opportunities for music and outdoor lovers in store. If you need additional tips for classical music events, check my tips in Vienna concerts.
1. Genuss Festival at Stadtpark
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. Each year a 100+ strong group of fine regional vintners, distillers, bakers, cheese makers, butchers, pasta makers, and confectioners set up their stalls at Vienna’s Stadtpark. This food festival connects Austria’s best regional producers, offering a mouthwatering selection of cheeses, sausages, pastries, wines, and more. This festival is a rare opportunity to sample a range of local specialties, meet the producers, and learn about traditional Austrian food culture.
Besides, Stadtpark itself provides a tranquil setting in the city center to enjoy spring and pay a visit to waltz king Johann Strauss’ golden monument right there.
- Date: 8th to 10th May, 2026
- Time: 11.00 am to 9.00 pm
- Location: Stadtpark, Vienna
- Admission: Free entry
2. Wiener Festwochen
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. The Vienna Festival is Europe’s most significant cross-over festival with a radical socio-political impact. It normally lasts for five-six weeks and attracts about 200,000 visitors in total.
The opening of the festival takes place on a giant stage in front of the City Hall (Rathaus) in Vienna. This free event offers an incredible open-air celebration to launch the festival.
In addition to concerts, there are also lots of exhibitions, workshops, dance performances, theater events, and more. The Vienna Festival features theatre, opera and dance from all parts of the globe, also acting as producers of international works
The festival brings together iconic figures like Elfriede Jelinek and Peter Brook with radical performers, features music from Pussy Riot alongside Mozart, and programs Ukrainian and Russian artists with requiems against war and inhumanity. It’s a festival that challenges conventions and engages with pressing socio-political issues.
To access a more classical music repertoire in Vienna, find out about the best classical concerts that aren’t tourist traps.
- Date: May 15th to June 21st, 2026
- Location: Various venues across Vienna
- Tickets: Tickets vary by event; available on the official Wiener Festwochen website
3. Eurovision Song Contest In Vienna
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. Following Austria’s victory at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision 2026 will take place in Vienna. It will be the third time that Austria has hosted the contest. The selected venue for the contest is the 16,152-seat Wiener Stadthalle, which previously hosted the contest in 2015. On the 10th May, Vienna City Hall will host the “Turquoise Carpet” and opening ceremony, where the contestants and their delegations will be presented before accredited press and fans. Access the complete Eurovision 2026 guide here.
- Key Dates:
- Opening Ceremony: Sunday, 10 May 2026
- First Semi-Final: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
- Second Semi-Final: Thursday, 14 May 2026
- Grand Final: Saturday, 16 May 2026
- Location: Wiener Stadthalle, Rathausplatz (Eurovision village); Vienna City Hall (opening ceremony, EuroClub)
- Tickets: Ticket sales for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 are expected to start at the beginning of 2026. Official tickets will only be available through authorized platforms such as oeticket.com.
- Accommodation: With 88,000 additional visitors expeced during the Song Contest make sure you book your hotel or apartment early.
4. Exhibition: Austrian Landscapes
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. What do the Vienna Prater, the Vienna Woods and Austrian Salzkammergut look like in 19th century landscape paintings? In a special exhibition, the Belvedere showcases famous Austrian landscape painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s master pieces.
Waldmüller (1793–1865), a pivotal Austrian painter from the Biedermeier period, made it his goal to paint “nature that surrounds us, our time, our customs.” His works are characterized by their attention to detail, naturalistic lighting, and realistic style of representation. To quote Waldmüller, “in order to attain radiant colour you have to paint in the sunlight”. These late works show dazzling, almost searing light, his figures seem positively bathed in light.
5. Long Night of the Churches
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. During the Long Night of the Churchesmany of Vienna’s churches open their doors to visitors, offering a variety of events, including organ recitals, choir performances, and even rooftop tours.
For example, the Bernardi chapel at historic Heiligenkreuz Court, the Ancient Catholic St. Salvator Church or the Wiener Hofburgkapelle at the Imperial Palace have traditionally staged events for free in the past years. This is a unique opportunity to witness Vienna’s grand churches, some of which are architectural masterpieces. With events lasting until midnight, the Long Night of the Churches is an inspiring way to discover Vienna’s religious history.
If you are not around on that day consider attending a classical concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
- Date: 29th May, 2026
- Location: Various churches across Vienna
- Admission: Free entry
- Programme: find a list of participating churches and programme here
6. Flea Market in Neubaugasse
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. When the merchants of trendy Neubaugasse take some of their wares out into the street local vintage fans flock ‘Flaniermarkt’.
The 1.2-kilometer stretch between Mariahilfer Straße and Lerchenfelder Straße transforms into a riot of stalls, stories, aromas, and discoveries. More than just a flea market, it’s a neighborhood festival draped in vintage, curiosity, culture, and community. Visitors can also look forward to an extensive supporting program: music acts, dance performances, walking acts and dance workshops as well as a colorful children’s programme.
At the Flaniermarkt you can discover vintage clothing, antiques, handmade crafts, and collectibles.Vendors sell vintage accessories, fashion, antiques, and treasures from local stores along the street.
One of the loveliest bits: the integration of the local shops. Some boutiques along Neubaugasse open their doors, pull out racks and shelves, and join the street vibe. So amid the old books and vintage finds, you may stumble on a label from your favorite local designer, or handmade ceramics next to vintage finds. Street food aromas — Vienna sausages, Hungarian lángos, Asian street bites — snake through the lanes.
To explore the hidden corners of the popular Neubau neighbourhood ask my partner guide Claudia to take you on a neighbourhood tour. She will pick you up from the market.
- Date: 29th & 30th May 2026
- Location: Neubaugasse, Vienna
- Admission: Free entry
7. European Street Food Festival
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. “Flavours from around the world” is the subtitle of the European Street Food Festival. Dozens of food trucks & trailers & stalls, exhibitors & chefs from all over the world offer delicacies from all over the world. Whether Mexican, Norwegian, Indian or American burgers, cooked or grilled, vegetarian or vegan, mini-donuts, waffles, crêpes or of course delicacies from local kitchens, all this will be offered by the many exhibitors from home and abroad and freshly prepared for the visitors on the spot.
Many food trucks, cooks and exhibitors from all over the world will offer their treats – whether it’s Thai or Mexican, Burgers or Sushi, grilled or cooked, healthy from the bio corner, vegan & vegetarian, cupcakes, crepes or delicacies from national cuisine.
If the festival follows its usual early/mid May schedule, it would fall perfectly around Eurovision 2026 week (May 12-16), making it an ideal food experience for visitors in town for the song contest! It will also take place in the same location.
- Date: mid May 2026 (tba)
- Location: Wiener Stadthalle, Roland-Rainer-Platz 1, 1150 Vienna, held in the outdoor area
- Admission: Free entry
8. Join The Festival Of Joy
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. Each year, the brilliant Wiener Symphoniker celebrate the triumph of the Allied Forces over the Nazi Regime with the free open air concert Fest der Freude (Festival of Joy). In 2025, it will be 80 years since the end of World War II. Not only does the vibrant atmosphere of 10,000 people on Heldenplatz take away your breath, but the amazing music and sound system supported by dramatic light installations. Mostly, you can expect 19th and 20th century classics such as Mahler, Ravel and Korngold. Though what really moves the audience is Beethoven’s Ode To Joy (Ode an die Freude) from his famous 9th Symphony.
- Date: The Fest der Freude always takes place on the evening of May 8th (Starts 7.30 pm Usually)
- Location: Heldenplatz square, in front of Neue Burg (Hofburg)
- Tickets: No tickets, Entry is free.
9. Mother’s Day With the Vienna Boys Choir
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. On Austrian Mother’s Day, some Viennese mums will get treated to a special concert with the Vienna Boys Choir.
During a matinée at the prestigious Golden Hall of Vienna’s Musikverein, the world’s most famous boys choir will perform diverse works: from 19th century classics by Schubert, Giuseppe Verdi and Johann Strauss, to film music by Ennio Morricone, Irving Berlin and Willie Nelson. In addition, the rising girl choir stars Wiener Chormädchen will complement the experience.
- Date: Sunday, 10th May 2026 (see other Vienna Boys Choir concerts if you are not around on that day)
- Location: Musikverein, Musikvereinsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
- Tickets: secure here
10. Participate In 30th Tour De Vin
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. On the first weekend this month, wine lovers from across Austria may flock to various wine growing areas close to the Danube. For the 30th time, 40 top local vintners will open their wine cellar doors and fresh wine bottles to share their treasures and wine growing knowledge. Simply get a ‘Tour-de-Vin button’ for EUR 30 at any participating winery, which entitles you to wine tastings across all wineries.
Date: early May 2026 (tbc)
Location: 77 vintners in Traisental, Kremstal, Kamptal, Wagram, Baden bei Wien and Carnuntum, see details on website
Admission: 35€ per person and 30€ in advance.
Transport: To get there from Vienna and tour the vintners, either rent a car, or hire a private car and driver. For a comprehensive trip itinerary including other local highlights and tips for accommodation please get in touch with my local partner guide and Wachau native Claudia, referencing the Tour de Vin.
11. Dance At The Concordia Ball
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. As in previous years, the program of the 2026 Concordia Ball will offer great variety, including elegant dances in the halls of Vienna’s City Hall, a cheerful atmosphere at the Disco Dancefloor in the Arcade Courtyard, and the traditional Fledermaus-Quadrille at midnight. At 8:30 pm, the Town Hall will open its doors to the Concordia Ball, followed by the traditional opening ceremony in the City Hall Ballroom (Festsaal). From then on, it’s Alles Walzer! Party on! Until 4am, the Concordia Ball will offer the best of modern Viennese ball culture with guests from all over the world. Find out more in Best Vienna Balls.
Dates: 22nd May 2026
Location: Wiener Rathaus (Vienna City Hall)
Tickets: Get tickets.
12. Take An Easy E-Bike Tour
Things to do in Vienna May 2026. The Kahlenberg is Vienna’s tallest hill, and this is the perfect place to get an overview of the city with panoramic views. Each weekend, Viennese flock to their ‘house mountains’ Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg. They are packed with lush vineyards, woods, panorama views, historic buildings and a good dozen of wineries. Equally popular is the Danube Island.
Equipped with an electric bike, make your way up the Kahlenberg with ease on your comfortable e-bike with extra thick tires. Follow the fortified walls of the Danube Canal to the top of the Kahlenberg, then continue downhill to the village of Nussdorf and onto the Danube Island, where you’ll have a unique view back towards the city.
I’m not a great biker but joined a similar tour. Since then I have become an e-bike fan. This easy e-bike tour is the best outdoor fun in the Vienna Woods and Danube Island . Read more.
13. Head For A Day To Salzburg
While you will enjoy the city of Salzburg whatever the season there are activities in the surroundings that are only open in the warmer months.
Just take the lake district, Salzkammergut, for example. Boat rides on its most famous lakes like Hallstätter See, Wolfgangsee or Attersee are mostly possible between mid April and October.
Likewise, a visit to the Giant Ice Caves at Werfen is only doable between May and October. Find out more about day trips from Vienna to Salzburg in Vienna Tours to Salzburg.
14. Visit The Danube Valley of Wachau
The Danube Valley of Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a boat ride from Spitz to Dürnstein was one of the first trips I took my husband on to show him the best of my home country. This well conceptualised tour covers all that we had seen.
The highlight is definitely the extended boat ride from Spitz to Melk, and the fantastic baroque abbey of Melk which towers over the Danube. Many villages and towns like Krems date back to the Middle Ages (1305), boasting houses with coats of arms and metre-thick walls, big city gates and watchtowers.
Access details of the Danube Valley Day Trip.
15. Bratislava By Boat
Many readers ask me about my thoughts on a boatride on the Vienna Danube… and I always come up with Bratislava. The stretch of the Danube between these two cities is picturesque and green. I travelled from Central Vienna in just over an hour by high speed catamaran and had the whole day to see a gem of a European capital. You can find the full story and travel details in my review of our mini Danube cruise.
what to do Specifically In Other months
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Things to do in Vienna, November
Things to do in Vienna, December
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