Culture outdoors in Vienna

During the summer months, Vienna offers a wide variety of free outdoor events to tourists and residents alike. There are several different open air cinema events, festivals and other activities to check out during those hot summer days and evenings. As long as the weather’s ok, you’re guaranteed to find that something exciting is happening around town!

Dance lovers schould check out Impulstanz, a dance festival held in July and August with a whole range of performances and workshops for both beginners and advanced dancers. Similarly, O-Toene, a literary festival, offers author’s readings and and discussions every thursday from July until September. Another festival to check out is Popfest, which this year takes place from 28th to 31st July. On the programm are different band gigs as well as meta performances about the creative business itself. 

Not so much into music but really into ice cream? Suit yourself, the Vienna ice cream festival takes place the 6th through the 7th of August at the Burggarten, the former private gardens of the emperor. 

If you’re interested in cinema, you’ll have a field day in Vienna: there is a large number of open air cinema events happening all throughout the city, ranging from the low-key and chilled out volxkino to Kino am Dach high over the roofs of Vienna, view inclusive. For the more artisitically inclined, frameout in the museum’s quarter presents young artists’ work, documentaries and unconventional films.

A more classical take on open air cinema can be found if you head to the Rathausplatz, were the filmfestival shows recordings of opera, classical concerts and the occasional contemporary artist every evening at sundown.

Want to spend a cool day at the waterfront? Alte and Neue Donau as well as Donauinsel island offer many large green areas, beaches and outdoor grilling for free on top of the possibility to swim in the Danube river. Take your picnic here or into one of the many viennesse parks and public gardens.

If you’d rather make the most of your stay instead of lazing around, try one of the tip-based guided tours through the city to enjoy the weather and get to know the neighbourhood alike - or rent a bike and explore on your own schedule. And as all year round, remember that a number of museums offer free entry on the first sunday of every month. Have a look at vernissage events especially - they’re usually free and a great way to get familiar with an artist’s work! To finish off the list, honorable mention to the totally not free but still pretty exciting 3CityWave, a viable alternative to that bank-breaking surfing holiday abroad: Surf right in the city or just chill near the water (completely free!) and enjoy the surfer vibes.