
Events in Europe

European Heritage Days
European Heritage Days is an annual event held across Europe on the third weekend of September, offering free access to historical sites, museums, monuments, and government buildings that are usually closed to the public. Launched in 1984, the event highlights cultural heritage through guided tours, special exhibitions, and interactive workshops, allowing visitors to explore everything from medieval castles to private mansions and iconic landmarks. It’s a unique opportunity to discover hidden treasures, learn about history, and celebrate Europe’s rich cultural legacy.

Rupertikirtag
Rupertikirtag (St. Rupert’s Fair) is a beloved traditional folk festival held every September in Salzburg, Austria, honoring the city’s patron saint, St. Rupert. Centered around the Domplatz and historic Old Town, the event combines Alpine charm with festive flair—featuring vintage carousels, a bustling marketplace, live folk music, and locals in dirndls and lederhosen. From the aroma of roasted nuts and Austrian delicacies to the cheerful clatter of beer mugs and brass bands, Rupertikirtag offers a joyful, family-friendly taste of Salzburg’s cultural heritage.

Wiener Weinwandertage
Wiener Weinwandertage (Vienna Wine Hiking Days) is a unique autumn tradition where the vineyards surrounding Vienna open their trails to the public for a festive weekend of wine tasting, scenic walks, and culinary delights. Every late September or early October, locals and visitors alike wander through rolling hills covered in vines, stopping at heurige wine taverns, sampling seasonal dishes, and enjoying panoramic views of the city and the Danube River. It’s a perfect blend of nature, culture, and wine heritage, showcasing Vienna as the only capital city in the world with such extensive vineyards within its limits.

Martinstag
Martinstag (St. Martin’s Day) is a beloved autumn festival celebrated across Germany, Austria, and parts of Central Europe on November 11th, honoring Saint Martin of Tours, known for his compassion and humility. The holiday is marked by lantern processions led by children, bonfires, and the reenactment of Saint Martin’s legendary act of sharing his cloak with a beggar. Traditional foods like roast goose and sweet pastries are served, while towns and villages glow with handmade lanterns and folkloric charm. It’s a heartwarming celebration of kindness, community, and the changing season.

Mozartwoche
Mozartwoche (Mozart Week) is Salzburg’s premier classical music festival, held each January to celebrate the birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the city of his birth. Organized by the Mozarteum Foundation, the festival gathers world-class orchestras, ensembles, and soloists for performances of Mozart’s most beloved works, alongside rarities and innovative interpretations. Concerts take place in Salzburg’s historic venues, from the elegant Mozarteum concert hall to the baroque Great Festival Hall, creating an atmosphere of musical excellence and cultural reverence dedicated to Austria’s most famous composer.

Osterfestspiele
Osterfestspiele (Salzburg Easter Festival) is an exclusive classical music festival founded in 1967 by the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan, held each spring in Salzburg, Austria. Over the Easter period, the festival presents world-class opera productions, symphonic concerts, and chamber music, often featuring the renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra alongside celebrated soloists. Known for its artistic excellence and intimate scale, the Osterfestspiele offers a rare opportunity to experience top-tier performances in Salzburg’s historic venues, combining spiritual reflection with musical brilliance.

Wiener Festwochen
Wiener Festwochen (Vienna Festival) is a six-week celebration of theater, music, and art that transforms Austria’s capital into a vibrant stage each May and June. Founded in 1951, the festival brings together international artists, avant-garde productions, and cutting-edge performances in venues ranging from grand theaters to open-air stages across Vienna. With its blend of classical tradition and contemporary experimentation, the Wiener Festwochen embodies the city’s cultural dynamism and remains one of Europe’s most prestigious multidisciplinary festivals.

Ars Electronica Festival
Ars Electronica Festival is a cutting-edge celebration of art, technology, and society, held each September in Linz, Austria. Known for pushing creative and conceptual boundaries, the festival brings together artists, scientists, engineers, and thinkers from around the world to explore emerging ideas in fields like AI, digital media, robotics, and biotechnology. Through immersive exhibitions, talks, and interactive installations across the city, Ars Electronica transforms Linz into a futuristic playground of innovation, making it a must-attend for lovers of creative experimentation and technological imagination.

Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik
Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik (Innsbruck Festival of Early Music) is a world-renowned celebration of early music, bringing the sounds of the Renaissance and Baroque eras to life in the historic heart of Innsbruck, Austria. Held each summer, the festival features authentic performances by top international ensembles and soloists, often using period instruments in ornate venues like imperial palaces and centuries-old churches. From rare operas to intimate chamber concerts, it offers a rich, immersive dive into Europe’s musical past, making it a must for classical music lovers and cultural travelers alike.

Bregenzer Festspiele
Bregenzer Festspiele (Bregenz Festival) is a spectacular summer performing arts festival held on the shores of Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria, renowned for its jaw-dropping floating stage and epic open-air opera productions. Each July and August, audiences gather to experience world-class performances—often reinvented classics—set against a backdrop of dramatic stage sets rising from the water, enhanced by cutting-edge lighting and acoustics. The atmosphere is part opera, part theatrical wonder, and entirely unforgettable, making it one of Europe’s most visually stunning and culturally rich festivals.