DK Travel : Vienna : Events

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All Saints’ Day

Austrians visit the graves of their beloved to light candles and lay wreaths.
Ball Season

Viennese life revolves around the waltz – at least during Fasching , the period between Christmas and Lent, when the social calendar is packed with evenings of ballroom dancing. Balls in the Hofburg Palace are the most splendid, but you will find dances every evening in many of Vienna’s hotels, concert halls and once a year in the State Opera House (see p31).
Christmas Day

A holy day when people attend church and visit their families. Christmas dinner is traditionally carp or goose.
Christmas Eve

The most important day of the celebrations as families gather around the Christmas tree and open presents.
Christmas Markets

In the weeks before Christmas you will find numerous markets across Vienna’s squares and pedestrianized zones. The stalls sell mainly small gifts and Christmas decorations, as well as punch and hot spiced wine to warm you on cold winter evenings.
Christ’s Ascension

Celebrated on the nearest Thursday 40 days after Easter to mark the day Christ ascended to heaven.
Corpus Christi

Processions are held in every parish and a monstrance decorated with flowers is carried from altar to altar.
Easter

The feast of joy as Christ is resurrected from the dead. It is celebrated with fires and light processions.
Easter Markets

Austria’s Easter tradition is to decorate branches of pussy willow with painted eggshells hung on a string. Easter Egg Markets, with eggs in all colours and shades, are also held on squares and in front of churches.
Epiphany

The last day of the Christmas holidays. Children dress as the Three Wise Men and knock on the doors to bring news of Christ’s birth.