Where to Go: the 9 Best Christmas and New Year Concerts in Austria

1.Christmas & New Year’s Concert in St. Peter’s Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 763 reviews · 1 hour · from $57Our pick

Spend one hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a Baroque landmark built from 1701 to 1733. Hear Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, selections from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and works by Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert in the church’s atmospheric vaults. Arrive early for the best seat in your ticket section, and dress warmly.

“Lovely setting and beautiful atmosphere amazing musicians only complaint was how cold it was”

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2.Christmas and New Year Concert at St. Peter’s Church in Vienna

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 155 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Spend about an hour with the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church, a baroque landmark near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Expect a string quartet, Mozart and other classical favorites, assigned or category-based seating, and a beautiful but sometimes chilly church interior. Traditional Christmas songs are not guaranteed.

“This was a classical music concert with a string quartet in the amazingly beautiful St Peter’s Church in Vienna, a short walk from St Stephen’s Cathedral. The concert was an hourlong, with no introductions or programme which felt odd and we were packed in like sardines some in pews and some on chairs. The music and setting was beautiful and much enjoyed but felt it was a little disorganised and with a few tweaks would be much better.”

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3.Christmas/Advent Concert & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 154 reviews · from $93

Ride the funicular up Salzburg’s 900-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress, dine above the rooftops, and hear Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and Vivaldi performed by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Dinner starts at 6 pm and the concert at 8 pm on most dates. VIP seating and vegetarian meals are available.

“Great Dinner and concert a wonderful experience. must say the food was good and service fantastic. the concert most enjoyable. We had a great night out.”

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4.Christmas Concerts in Capuchin Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Spend an evening with classical music in Vienna’s intimate Capuchin Church, near the State Opera. Expect a string quartet, festive trumpet music, Christmas carols, and sometimes a soprano soloist. The optional combo ticket adds the Imperial Crypt, home to Habsburg tombs including Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph, and Sisi.

“This was a wonderful experience! We toured the crypt first and then listened to the amazing quartet. They were quite good, and watching them perform in the Capuchin Chapel was so intimate and very memorable. Our whole family thoroughly enjoyed it — a wonderful activity for a Vienna vacation!”

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5.Christmas/Advent Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 54 reviews · from $49

Ride the funicular from Festungsgasse to Fortress Hohensalzburg for a 90-minute Advent concert by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Expect Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Salzburg folk music in a decorated castle hall, with city views before the 8 pm performance. The ride up and down is included, but dinner, drinks, and pickup are not.

“Easy to get to as the funicular ride was included. Having booked it online 24 hours earlier, my tickets were waiting at the door on arrival. The castle was warm, atmosphere was beautiful with Christmas decorations up.”

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6.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Ride the included funicular to Fortress Hohensalzburg, dine in the Panorama Restaurant, then hear Mozart and seasonal Salzburg music in historic fortress rooms. Choose classic, VIP, or Golden VIP dining. The $102.02 price excludes drinks, and smart casual dress is expected.

“This really is a lovely experience from beginning to end. We bought the VIP ticket and started the evening with a journey up in the cable car to the restaurant. The food was very nice but be aware it is a set menu so might not be to everyone’s taste. I was expecting to have a choice so was lucky I liked what they provided. After 2.5 hours at dinner we went up into another part of the fortress for the Mozart concert which was fabulous .”

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7.Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concerts at the Fortress Hohensalzburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51

At 8 pm, ride the included funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress for a 90-minute Mozart and Advent concert. Expect a small chamber ensemble, music by Mozart and his contemporaries, traditional Salzburg Advent pieces, city views, and time to explore the fortress before the performance. Smart casual dress is suitable.

“Magical to be at the fortress at night. Beautiful views. Music transported us to another time. Talented musicians.”

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8.Christmas Concert at Mirabell Palace

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $48Top rated

Attend a 90-minute Christmas concert in Mirabell Palace’s Baroque Marble Hall, where Mozart once performed. You’ll hear seasonal works by Mozart, Vivaldi, and Corelli, played by Ensemble 1756 on period instruments or the Salzburger Mozart Consort. The $48.15 ticket includes admission, with category 1 seating available.

“I have never seen such passionate and talented musicians perform! It was stunning. Highly recommend for anyone, even non music lovers! Also the room they performed made the experience that much more special!”

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9.Festive Advent, Christmas and New Year concerts

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $33Best value

Spend about 70 minutes hearing festive classical music inside Vienna’s Minoritenkirche. Programs may feature Les Orpheistes, the Wiener KammerSymphonie String Quintet, or soloists such as Mario Hossen and Kristina Miller, with works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Haydn, and other masters.

“A beautiful church, fabulous/setting (and warm!), outstanding music/singing, great value as highly talented individuals.”

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