Weird And Wonderful Festivals You Can Only Find In Austria

During the summer in Europe, I feel like you can’t go two meters without bumping into a festival!

From Glastonbury in the UK to Primavera in Barcelona to the heavy metal festival Wacken in Germany, festivals are a giant reason why tourists flock to Europe and get to experience a country in a whole new way.

It’s fair to say that Austria is not really internationally known as a hub of festivals.

However, you’d be surprised to know that there are many interesting and incredibly fun festivals to be found in this beautiful country.

Primarily known for its connection to classical music (more on that later) or even the famous Christmas markets popping up all over winter, Austria has its fair share of unique festivals.

If you’ve never been to the country before, then some of these festivals are as good an excuse as any. Your best bet to check out any of these festivals is to fly to either Salzburg or Vienna. There are actually a few nonstop flights to Austria, depending on where you’re flying from in the U.S.

So, I’ll take you through a few festival ideas in Austria that sound simply amazing.

Donauinselfest, Vienna

Taking place every June on Danube Island in Vienna, one of the country’s most popular festivals is not just one giant party, but it’s also surprisingly free!

The Donauinselfest is held across several kilometers of the island and draws in millions of visitors during the three-day extravaganza.

Numerous stages play host to a wide selection of music genres, including international pop, rock bands, DJs, and even local Austrian performers. The likes of Dua Lipa, Ronan Keating, and Rita Ora have all graced the stages in previous years.

The whole experience is understandably mostly about the music, but the Donauinselfest also celebrates Austrian culture and its people. It’s a riot of color and fun, and you’ll find all sorts of stalls selling tasty food, outdoor bars serving delicious drinks, and crowds of people enjoying the sunshine.

You don’t even have to spend the entire three days there to get the full experience, as even a few hours at the Donauinselfest will be worth it.

Be warned, though, as it gets very popular due to the free entry, so if large crowds and long lines are not exactly your cup of tea, then maybe avoid this one. But hey, if you love loud music, dancing, and just chatting with strangers for several days, then this is certainly for you.

You should also walk around Vienna after the event, as the city has so much to offer besides the festival!

Almabtrieb, a.k.a. The Cattle Drive Festival

This suggestion is as far away from the Donauinselfest as possible, both literally and figuratively!

Held in the Austrian Alps among towns such as Söll, Mayrhofen, and Alpbach, the Almabtrieb is an incredibly cute and charming autumn festival.

But what is it all about? Well (and don’t laugh), it’s a tradition in Austria that when the cows have finished their summer grazing in the high pastures, farmers will bring them back down the mountain decorated in fancy ribbons, flowers, and very ornate headdresses. It sounds bizarre, but it’s very wholesome and simply a fun and festive Alpine ritual.

The villages will welcome the cattle with old-fashioned costumes, lively music, and plenty of local cheeses, sausages, handmade items, and of course, beer.

It’s certainly a unique and wonderful way to experience Alpine culture in Austria that has occurred for centuries.

Krampuslauf

If the cows weren’t weird enough, in December, you’ll also find another strange holiday tradition in Austria. The Krampuslauf performers are dressed up as frightening horned creatures called Krampus who will run through the streets with bells and chains.

The custom comes from Austrian folklore, as it’s said that while Saint Nicholas will reward well-behaved children with treats, Krampus will punish the bad kids.

There are a few cities and towns around Austria that feature the Krampuslauf, but Salzburg has one of the biggest parades.

During this winter festival, people in costumes parade around in decorative masks that are equally striking and fearsome. The crowds will assemble to watch the big spectacle, complete with sparks flying from torches and the Krampus characters roaming and yelling through the streets. It’s hectic, theatrical, and distinctively Austrian.

Salzburg Festival

The Salzburg Festival is a hugely respected cultural festival in Europe that is largely dedicated to classical music and opera.

Salzburg holds the festival every summer, and some of the best musicians in the world play on open-air stages and historic theaters across the city.

The festival has been taking place for more than 100 years and is still one of the biggest highlights on the Austrian cultural calendar.

Narzissenfest, Salzkammergut

Spring in Austria means blooming flowers and one of the prettiest festivals in the country. Called Narzissenfest and held in the Salzkammergut region, the festival rejoices in the flourishing of millions of white narcissus flowers that cover alpine meadows every year.

All sorts of artists build large sculptures created exclusively from the gorgeous flowers. The creations range from animals to mythical figures and elaborate floats, and the very colorful parade is displayed against the spectacular backdrop of the lakes and mountains.

As you can see, there seems to be a festival happening all throughout the year, which means no matter what time you visit, you can see something truly unique and inherently Austrian.