Top Things To Do In Vienna May 2025
Which are the best things to do in Vienna in May 2025 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 2025. 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, the 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: 9th to 11th May, 2025
- Time: 11.00 am to 9.00 pm
- Location: Stadtpark, Vienna
- Admission: Free entry
2. Wiener Festwochen
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. Immerse yourself in a world of art at the Wiener Festwochen, a multidisciplinary arts festival. This internationally acclaimed festival brings together theater, dance, music, and visual arts, with performances and exhibitions spread across Vienna. The best is that the Wiener Festwochen highlights contemporary issues through art and invites audiences to engage with thought-provoking works by renowned and emerging artists.
To access a more classical music repertoire in Vienna, find out about the best classical concerts that aren’t tourist traps.
- Date: May 16th to June 22nd, 2025
- Location: Various venues across Vienna
- Tickets: Tickets vary by event; available on the official Wiener Festwochen website
3. Aut Now Exhibition at the MAK
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. What does an Austrian sofa, bike, cooking pot, healthcare device, even robot look like when designed today? Until 18th May the Aut Now Exhibition at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) showcases highlights of 21st-century Austrian design, featuring innovative pieces across fashion, furniture, and graphic design. It offers a unique look at how contemporary Austrian designers are redefining aesthetic and functional aspects of everyday objects.
The MAK itself is a celebrated institution, renowned for its architecture and extensive design collections, making it the ideal backdrop for this exhibition.
- Date: Until 18th May, 2025
- Location: MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna
- Admission: Buy tickets (includes admission to special exhibitions); get access to MAK + various museums and attractions with an all inclusive city pass.
4. Traumwelten - Symphonic Music Find
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. “I’ve seen them perform when they were just 18!” In May, a few classical music fans will proudly remember their early talent discovery six years ago, when local high school student Tobias Treitner founded the JungeKünsteOrchester JKO.
5. Long Night of the Churches
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. 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: 23rd May, 2025
- 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 2025. When the merchants of trendy Neubaugasse take some of their wares out into the street local vintage fans flock to this place. At the Flaniermarkt inkl. Flohmarkt, a flea market in Neubaugasse, you can discover vintage clothing, antiques, handmade crafts, and collectibles. This market offers a lively atmosphere and is a great place to find unique souvenirs while enjoying one of Vienna’s trendiest districts.
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: 9th & 10th May 2025
- Location: Neubaugasse, Vienna
- Admission: Free entry
7. European Street Food Festival
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. Indulge in a variety of international flavours at the European Street Food Festival in Vienna. This festival gathers food trucks and vendors from across Europe, offering an array of delicious street foods, from gourmet burgers to exotic desserts. Sample dishes from different cultures and enjoy a laid-back culinary experience in a lively outdoor setting.
This is a perfect event for food lovers looking to try new dishes and enjoy Vienna’s diverse culinary offerings.
- Date: 10th and 11th May 2025
- Admission: Free entry
8. Join The Festival Of Joy
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. 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
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, May 11, 2025 (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 29th Tour De Vin
Things to do in Vienna May 2025. On the first weekend this month, wine lovers from across Austria may flock to various wine growing areas close to the Danube. For the 28th 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: May 3rd and 4th, 2025, (10am-6pm)
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 2025. As in previous years, the program of the 2025 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: 23rd May 2025
Location: Wiener Rathaus (Vienna City Hall)
Tickets: Get tickets.
12. Take An Easy E-Bike Tour
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.
I’m not a great biker but joined a similar tour in the summer of 2018. 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
Things to do in Vienna, January
Things to do in Vienna, February
Things to do in Vienna, March
Things to do in Vienna, April
Things to do in Vienna, may
Things to do in Vienna, June
Things to do in Vienna, July
Things to do in Vienna, August
Things to do in Vienna, September
Things to do in Vienna, October
Things to do in Vienna, November
Things to do in Vienna, December
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