Things To Do In Vienna November 2026 – Carnival, Concerts, Opera And More
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. The quiet pre-Christmas season in Wien is great for walks, wine, seasonal shopping, and culture. In the local parks and gardens, the autumn colours are on display: Take a leisurely stroll through the expansive gardens of Schönbrunn Palace or visit Burggarten, which offers picturesque views of the Hofburg Palace. From mid November, the first Christmas markets are open, and the first advent concerts start just a little later.
Opening of Carnival Season in Vienna
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. Thanks to local dance schools, the opening of the carnival season in Vienna represents the biggest ballroom dance in Central Europe, and probably the most fun opportunity to dance quadrille. Every year, locals from all walks of life anticipate the grand spectacle that unfolds at Vienna’s Stephansplatz. Guided by a seasoned dance master, the world’s largest quadrille comes to life, followed by the exhilarating gallop and the subsequent Viennese waltz to tunes of Johann Strauss.
Everyone is welcome to join this public dance celebration without any specific dress code. All you need is a shared passion for dancing. To sweeten the experience, all participants are treated to delicious fresh Niemetz Sweden bombs at the event’s conclusion.
Date: 11th November 2025
Location: Graben boulevard in the city centre;
Time: 11 minutes past 11.00 am
Admission: free
Celebrating St. Martin's Day
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. Every year on November 11th Austria along with Central Europe celebrates the Day of Saint Martin of Tours. Austrians innocently call it ‘Martini Tag’ (Martini Day), using the Latin gerundium of Martinus. According to old custom, the goose eating, the St. Martin’s parade and the St. Martin’s singing take place during this time. Some Viennese districts such as Landstrasse and Hernals celebrate with a big parade with colorful lanterns, musical accompaniment and traditional songs as well as a St. Martin on horseback.
However, the custom of eating roast goose on St. Martin’s Day has another background. As the strict Lent began after November 11th the Martini feast gave people another opportunity to eat their fill at this feast.
In early November you will find Martini goose on the menu of various local restaurants and inns, for example at Zu den Drei Hacken.
Exhibition: Crime Scene Ephesus
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. If you thought ancient history was all marble busts and dusty pottery, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is about to change your mind. Crime Scene Ephesus, hosted in the atmospheric halls of the Neue Burg on the Ringstrasse, unravels one of antiquity’s most gripping cold cases: the murder of Arsinoe IV, Cleopatra’s younger sister, on the steps of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus in 41 BC. The cast of suspects reads like a who’s who of the ancient world — Cleopatra herself, Mark Antony, Augustus — and the KHM brings it all to life through artefacts, sculpture, and historical reconstruction from one of the great archaeological sites of antiquity.
This is the KHM doing what it does best: taking material from its extraordinary collection and weaving it into a narrative that grips you from the first room. The Neue Burg is a magnificent setting — all high ceilings and imperial grandeur — and it suits a story of palace intrigue rather well. Vienna has long had a special connection to Ephesus; Austrian archaeologists have been excavating the site since 1895, and the city’s finds form one of the jewels of the Neue Burg’s Ephesos Museum.
Go on a weekday morning to beat the school groups, and allow at least two hours. The permanent Ephesos collection is included in your ticket — well worth exploring before or after.
Date: 20 October 2026 – 29 March 2027
Location: Neue Burg, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna
Opening hours: Daily 10am – 6pm; Thursdays until 9pm
Admission: Included in the KHM ticket
Klosterneuburg Abbey
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. To do something off-path in Vienna in November, Klosterneuburg Abbey and its fantastic wine cellar excite wine and history fans. While every Viennese knows Klosterneuburg, Austria’s oldest wine estate has managed to slip past mass tourism. This photo shows a detail of the stunning Medieval Babenberg family tree in the abbey’s Imperial palace rooms.
During a separate wine cellar tour tap through a vast underground cellar system, which is among the largest and oldest in Austria.
On a misty November morning I toured both the abbey’s amazing art treasures and wine cellar with local tour guide Regina. Read More. To explore my personal shortlist of other great guided walks go to Vienna walking tours.
Vienna Opera Season in November
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. Vienna’s opera season is in full swing in November, making it one of the best months to experience world-class performances at the Vienna State Opera, the Theater an der Wien, the Volksoper and the Kammeroper. At the Wiener Staatsoper (State Opera) the official November 2026 programme includes a full rotating repertoire of major operas and ballets throughout the month.
Beyond the State Opera, the Vienna opera scene in November 2026 extends across multiple venues: the Vienna Volksoper presents a lively programme of opera, operetta, and musicals; the Theater an der Wien is known for innovative stagings and baroque opera; and the Kammeroper offers more intimate productions and contemporary interpretations. Together, they make Vienna one of Europe’s top destinations for classical music and opera in autumn.
While buying tickets for Wiener Volksoper is relatively easy, read my story on booking Vienna opera tickets for Wiener Staatsoper.
Dates: throughout November 2026
Location: Wiener Staatsoper, Opernplatz 2, 1010 Vienna; Wiener Volksoper, Währinger Strasse 78, 1090 Vienna
Tickets: get tickets
Wien Modern Festival
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. Lovers of modern and experimental music will look to make space in their calendars for the annual Wien Modern Festival. This year, the Wien Modern festival opens with the Danube. Composer Pia Palme has created Mit der Donau — a full-length work developed in collaboration with artist Lisa Horvath, shaped in part by time spent in the Nationalpark Donauauen. The world premiere takes place on 30 October 2026, performed by the RSO Wien in the newly renovated Großer Saal of the Wiener Konzerthaus. Also on the programme: Annea Lockwood’s Sound Map of the Danube, an immersive listening journey through more than 50 points along the river, from the Black Forest all the way to the Black Sea. The full programme for the 39th edition of the festival is due out in early September.
Wien Modern is a renowned contemporary music festival held in Vienna, Austria, known for its commitment to presenting innovative and cutting-edge compositions and performances. It showcases a diverse range of musical styles and genres, fostering artistic experimentation and pushing the boundaries of traditional music through its dynamic and thought-provoking programming.
Wien Modern 2026 Dates: 30th October to 30th November 2026;
Find out more about Wien Modern in my Vienna Music Festival guide.
More Things To Do In Vienna November: Campus Market
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. At the Christmas village at university campus Altes AKH, there is enough space to enjoy the Christmas season. Located in the courtyard of the former General Hospital (Altes AKH), now part of the University of Vienna, this market offers a more homely, historic atmosphere.
Compared to some of the more famous Christmas markets in Vienna, this one tends to be less crowded. The market has attractions for children, including a small train ride and a carousel, making it great for families. During your visit you can sample classic Austrian Christmas market fare like Glühwein (mulled wine), roasted chestnuts, and various sweet and savory treats.
Perhaps slightly more original, the market features stalls selling handmade crafts, good for Christmas gifts or souvenirs.
Location: Altes AKH (university campus), Hof 1; Alser Strasse/Spitalgasse; A-1090 Vienna;
Date and Time: 14th November to 23rd December 2026; further information in my Vienna Christmas market guide.
Viennese Classic
Things to do in Vienna November 2026. In a series of classical music concerts at Minoritenkirche November 1st opens with Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor.
From 26th to 29th November, series will kickstart Advent Concerts at the Minoritenkirche, featuring various top rated chamber ensembles (tbc).
Date and Time: 1st, 26th – 29th November 2026, 8 PM
Location: Minoritenkirche, Minoritenplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Tickets: Book Here – Vienna Unwrapped readers receive an exclusive 10% discount with the code UNWRAPPED.
Free cancellation: Cancel anytime up to 24 hours before the concert for a full refund.
Reserve now & pay later: Book your spot now and pay later.
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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