Things To Do in Vienna September 2020: Tips For My Hometown

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. What to do in Vienna in September? My top 10 specials cover one-off events and typical things to do. As a matter of fact, I have taken care that you end up at quality events, and local favourites. For an insider view on music events, visit Vienna concerts.

1. Classical Tradition At The Spanish Riding School

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. You will hardly see the Lipizzaner stallions with as many springs in their steps as in August. Just back from their summer break in Styria they either practice during a Morning Exercise or do a proper perforamnce.

TIP: Combine your visit with a guided tour through the stables to learn about the Lipizzaners. My family and I did it and felt like at a celebrity backstage tour!

Location: Spanish Riding School, Michaelerplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
Dates: from 1st September (Performance); from 3rd September (Morning Exercise)
Tickets: see various options in Spanish Riding School Vienna

2. Put Your Ear On The Ground

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. With the Beethoven anniversary setting a focus on classical music, why not learn about Vienna at the time of Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert? Since the Habsburg Emperors loved music and used it as an instrument of power, music pervaded almost all aspects of life. To better understand the Capital of Music I joined a trained musician and private guide on an in-depth tour through the city. Actually, we spent a good time talking not just history but about his insight into Vienna’s classical music scene today. Find out what the tour was like in Music Tour Vienna.

3. Wine Hiking In The Vienna Woods

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. As a child, I strolled through the vineyards of the Vienna Woods during wine harvest. Vintner families and helpers were picking grapes and loading them onto their tractors. You can trace my foot steps if you join this local tour guide. During September and beyond, he arranges wine hiking tours.

The tour starts from Leopoldsberg in the North East of Vienna. You will hike along our ‘home mountains’ Leopoldsberg and Kahlenberg. They are great for panoramic views of Vienna and the Danube. The tour ends with a visit to a lovely winery. Check availabilities for this private wine hiking tour.

To venture out further for a day trip of hiking in Austria’s mountains check these hiking tours.

4. Celebrate The New Opera Season

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. In September, the city’s main opera houses re-open after the summer break. This year, the new opera season starts with brilliant Italian composers: Imagine listening to Verdi arias like ‘Sempre Libera’ or The Drinking Song (La Traviata) and ‘Di quella pira’ (Il Trovatore) live at the Wiener Staatsoper!

To find out what’s on stage during your trip check the calendars for operas in September at the Wiener Staatsoper.

5. Experience The Lipizzaners And Vienna Boys Choir

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. When 400-year old horses pair up with a 500-year old boys choir you know you are in Wien. What sounds spooky is a graceful and uplifting tradition. On two days in September (and one in early October), you can listen to the angelical voices of the choir boys at the Spanish Riding School in the Imperial Palace. The Lipizzaner performances will alternate with the choir performances.

For further 2020 events and dates go to Vienna Boys Choir.
Dates: 18th September 2020
Location: Spanische Hofreitschule Wien, A-1010;
Tickets: get tickets

6. Listen To Cathedral Concerts

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. Why concerts in a church? Actualy, before concert halls became THE thing, composers like Mozart performed at St. Stephen’s Cathedral. I do love soaking in Stephansdom’s art and architecture while classical music washes around its pillars, statues, paintings and altars.

In September and October, you can listen to Vivaldi’s epic Four Seasons as the autumn settles into Vienna. Find out more in my Stephansdom guide.

7. See The Stars At The Summer Night Concert

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. After the traditional May/June concert has been postponed, September travellers will have a unique opportunity to experience this annual free open air concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the gardens of Schonbrunn Palace. This massively popular event stages key musicians and conductors each year. For example, in 2019 Chinese star pianist Yuja Wang performed live. The 2020 programme is expected to be publicised in the summer of 2020.

To grab a place in the seating area in front, make sure you arrive well before the official entrance at 6.30 pm. For further information visit Summer Night Concert. For more festival inspiration check my Vienna Music Festival guide.

Date: 18th September 2020; 8.30 pm (subject to confirmation)
Location: Schonbrunn Palace, Schonbrunner Schlossstrasse 147, 1130 Vienna;
Tickets: free admission

8. Go Avant Garde At MQ Vienna Fashion Week

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. To venture beyond the dirndl dress get a glitzy update at the contemporary and avant garde Vienna Fashion Week. The event represents the final of the Summer Of Fashion At Museumsquartier. Essentially, there will be dozens of fashion shows, exhibitions and pop up stores from Austrian and international designers. Most importantly, watch out for elegant fashion by Anelia Peschev, Habig, Elke Freitag, Elfenkleid and Michel Mayer. You can enter the shows 10 minutes prior to each show. Access will be granted according to capacity.

9. See Affordable Art At vienna contemporary

Things to do in Vienna September 2020. vienna contemporary is vibrant, bizarre and happy. This affordable art fair opens a window to the buzzing art scenes of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Hungary, the Caucasian Region and other European countries, on top of showcasing Austria’s best in contemporary art. Learn who is up and coming in Central, Eastern and Southern European art. You may even end up with the most sophisticated souvenir from your trip.

Date: 24th to 27th September 2020
Location: Marxhalle Wien, Karl-Farkas-Gasse 19, 1030 Vienna
Programme: visit website

10. Free Things To Do In Vienna September

Things to do in Vienna September 2020.  Vienna, along with Austria and Europe, opens up its top monuments at the European Heritage Days (EHD). For one day, the Federal Monument Office (Bundesdenkmalamt) will open many lesser known monuments and popular institutions in Vienna for free, among them the Academy of Visual Arts, Burgtheater’s rooms, Gustav Klimt’s villa, the Biedermeier collection of the Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Arts, and more.

Date: 27th September 2020
Programme: ‘Emperors, Kings and Philosophers’ – go to website

Find out about Things to do in August
More about Things to do in October

Need help making the most of your days in Austria? Find out how other travellers planned their itineraries using Vienna Unwrapped’s trip planning service

go to Vienna Attractions – Guide to Hotspots and Insider Tips
back to Visit Vienna – 20 Free Vacation Tools and Travel Tips

visit Vienna Tourism Calendar
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Last Updated on June 4, 2020