Vienna offers a rich tapestry of venues where you can enjoy world-class musicals, ranging from grand historic theaters to intimate stages. Here are some of the city's premier locations. The big private Vienna theatres like the Ronacher, our old variété theatre, and the Raimundtheater have been particularly popular in the past years. They are THE place to go if you are after fun musical entertainment in Vienna. Many of the shows project English surtitles onto screens, so you enjoy the musicals in original language while getting the full story.
Where Can I Watch Musicals in Vienna?
The Ronacher
Dating back to 1872 the Ronacher Theater in Vienna has a rich history. Originally constructed as the Wiener Stadttheater it catered to a middle-class audience and competed with the imperial court theatres. After being destroyed by a fired in 1884, Anton Ronacher bought and rebuilt it. Throughout the 20th century, the Ronacher served various purposes, including as a venue for operettas and a broadcasting location for Austrian radio. In 1987, the theater was acquired by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (VBW), marking a new era as a premier venue for musical theatre productions. Significant renovations in the mid-2000s modernized the facility, enhancing its capacity and technical capabilities to accommodate large-scale musicals.
Today, the Ronacher Theater continues to be a cornerstone of Vienna's musical theatre scene. With a seating capacity of approximately 1,000, it hosts a diverse array of productions, from international hits to world premieres. The theater's rich architectural heritage, combined with state-of-the-art facilities, provides audiences with an immersive theatrical experience. Under the artistic direction of Christian Struppeck, the Ronacher has staged numerous acclaimed productions, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of Vienna.
The Raimund Theater
The Raimund Theater, named after Austrian dramatist Ferdinand Raimund, opened its doors on November 28, 1893. Built by an association of 500 residents of the Mariahilf district, the theater was designed by architect Franz Roth. Initially, it featured traditional theatre works, but by 1908, it began focusing on operettas, with productions like Johann Strauss's The Gypsy Baron gaining popularity. During the mid-20th century, the theater became renowned for its operetta performances, with stars such as Johannes Heesters and Marika Rökk gracing its stage. In 1987, the Raimund Theater was integrated into VBW, aligning with the company's mission to promote musical theatre. A major refurbishment in 1985 modernized the venue, and since then, it has been a prominent site for large-scale musical productions.
Currently, the Raimund Theater is a vital part of Vienna's musical theatre offerings. With a seating capacity of around 1,200, it regularly hosts major musical productions, including both international hits and original works. The theater's commitment to high-quality performances and its rich historical backdrop make it a significant cultural institution in Vienna. Under the guidance of VBW, the Raimund Theater continues to attract audiences from around the world, contributing to the city's reputation as a hub for musical excellence.
Wiener Volksoper
The Volksoper is a versatile venue that stages a variety of performances, including operas, operettas, and musicals. Established in 1898 as the Kaiserjubiläum-Stadttheater to commemorate Emperor Franz Joseph I's 50th anniversary, it initially served as a venue for spoken theater. By 1903, under the direction of Rainer Simons, the theater expanded its repertoire to include operas and operettas, and in 1904, it was officially renamed the Volksoper (People's Opera). This strategic shift positioned the Volksoper as Vienna's second major opera house, complementing the renowned State Opera. Throughout the early 20th century, it hosted performances by legendary artists such as Maria Jeritza, Leo Slezak, and Richard Tauber, with notable conductors like Alexander Zemlinsky leading the orchestra.
In the post-war era, the Volksoper solidified its reputation as a premier institution for operetta, opera, musicals, and ballet. Today, it continues to captivate audiences with a diverse array of productions. Under the artistic direction of Lotte de Beer since 2022, the Volksoper has embraced innovative staging while honoring its storied past. The theater's 1,261-seat auditorium hosts a wide-ranging season from September to June, featuring classics like West Side Story, Cabaret, and Spring Awakening, alongside timeless operettas such as Die Csárdásfürstin and Die Fledermaus. With its commitment to artistic excellence and cultural dialogue, the Volksoper remains a vital force in Vienna's vibrant performing arts scene.
Where Can I Watch Musicals In Vienna in 2025/2026?
Phantom Of The Opera
Deep in the Paris Opera’s catacombs, The Phantom of the Opera spins its tale of love, regret, and obsession. A masked genius, hidden in darkness, haunts the grand opera house and falls in love with Christine, a young soprano. Torn between fear and desire, he mentors her, arranges her success — yet demands she love him in return. The musical unspools with romance, drama, and spectacular stagecraft: a chandelier crash, ghostly visages, soaring music. It’s theatrical, emotional, and visceral, with moments of tenderness and terror woven together in one of the most enduring musicals of modern theatre.
Dates: 13th September, 2025 through 5th April 5, 2026
Location: Raimund Theater, Wallgasse 18-20, 1060 Vienna
Tickets: Get tickets
Maria Theresia - the Musical
This new VBW production tells the story of Maria Theresa, the Habsburg empress who, in a male-dominated monarchy, rose to power, reformed the state, modernized education and the military, all while mothering sixteen children. It balances the political struggles, family life, and her personal drive in a production that blends historical narrative, modern musical sound, and theatrical spectacle. The score of Maria Theresia – Das Musical is crafted by Dieter Falk and Paul Falk, renowned for their dynamic compositions. The music seamlessly blends monumental drama with modern sounds, incorporating pulsating beats and haunting lyrics to create a vibrant and emotionally charged atmosphere. This fusion of timeless history with contemporary staging aims to deliver a thrilling stage experience filled with energy and surprises.
Dates: 10th October, 2025 through 27th June, 2026
Location: Theater Ronacher, Seilerstätte 9, 1010 Vienna
Tickets: Get tickets
Cabaret
This legendary musical mixes lively performances with human stories against a backdrop of growing political chaos. The 1972 movie version made Liza Minnelli a star, and now the musical returns live, showing that some human flaws and social issues never go away. Step into the 1930s and experience this classic stage work.
Music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb bring the story to life. The plot follows the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazis, seen through the Berlin Kit Kat Club. A sharp Master of Ceremonies guides the audience through each cabaret number, revealing social and political tensions with dark humor. As anti-Semitism and radicalism rise, Berlin changes, foreshadowing the tragic events to come.
Amid this, American writer Cliff Bradshaw falls in love with British singer Sally Bowles. They try to live day by day, mostly unaware of the danger around them. Friends suffer, violence grows, and the cheerful opening tune takes on a darker tone. Cabaret premiered on Broadway in 1966, became a famous movie in 1972, and now continues at Volksoper Wien.
Dates: from 2nd January 2026
Location: Wiener Volksoper, Währinger Strasse 78, 1010 Vienna
Tickets: Get tickets
The White Horse Inn (Im Weissen Rößl)
Im weißen Rößl (The White Horse Inn) by Ralph Benatzky and Robert Stolz is a fun, lighthearted operetta. Its themes and music hint at the golden age of Hollywood musicals. The original play was co-written by Gustav Kadelburg and Berlin director Oscar Blumenthal. Blumenthal got the idea after seeing a headwaiter flirt with the widowed hotel owner during a vacation. This inspired the entire story. The play opened in Berlin in 1897 and became a film by 1926. The operetta version premiered in November 1930 in Berlin and soon spread to theaters worldwide, including London, Paris, Vienna, and New York.
The story follows Leopold Brandmeyer, the inn’s headwaiter, who loves his boss, Josepha Vogelhuber. Josepha is more interested in guest Dr. Erwin Siedler, who is distracted by falling for Ottilie Giesecke. Ottilie’s father arranges a marriage with Sülzheimer’s son, Sigismund, instead. Chaos ensues as everyone chases the wrong person, creating hilarious situations.
Benatzky and Stolz worked with Erik Charell, Bruno Granichstaedten, Hans Müller-Einigen, and Robert Gilbert to craft memorable music and comedic moments. The operetta remains popular, with countless revivals and a 2013 film directed by Christian Theede.
Dates: from 1st March 2026
Location: Wiener Volksoper, Währinger Strasse 78, 1010 Vienna
Tickets: Get tickets
