What to do in Vienna when it rains?

Kunsthalle Wien presents contemporary art from Vienna at its Museumsquartier and Karlsplatz locations. The exhibition brings together different media and artistic perspectives on the city. Both venues open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm, and Thursday until 8 pm; closed Mondays.

Historical sources from the monastery’s archive, library and art collections use maps, scientific works, travel diaries and expedition records to show how worldviews have changed.

This five-act exhibition takes Kate Millett’s 1972 installation “Terminal Piece” as its point of departure, placing around 400 works from the mumok collection in dialogue with loans and new commissions. The prologue on Level 0 is free to visit.

The exhibition Figure of the Child by Tolia Astakhishvili is running at mumok. The official MQ site lists the end date as November 1, 2026.

The anniversary exhibition traces the long and contested path from the imperial stables to today's MuseumsQuartier. Architectural proposals, political decisions and public debates show how the cultural complex changed Vienna. Visit Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm; closed Mondays.

This evening Danube cruise combines Viennese music, a buffet and live entertainment on board. Boarding starts at 6:15 pm, the cruise runs from 7 to 10 pm in all weather, and different ships and music acts are used on the remaining dates.

The exhibition Schwelle runs at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna's Exhibit Gallery from September 10 to October 18, 2026. Five artistic positions explore and physically challenge transitions between interior, exhibition and public space. Visit Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm; closed Mondays and public holidays.

Curated by Sarah Johanna Theurer and Aditi Kapoor, this group exhibition examines the psychological costs of producing, using and consuming goods and infrastructure. Time-based media reveal hidden connections and dependencies within these systems. Regular exhibition visits run from 11 September to 7 November: Tuesday–Friday, 11 am–7 pm; Saturday, 11 am–3 pm. Closed Mondays, Sundays and public holidays.

At the curated by festival, international curators develop exhibitions for 24 Vienna galleries. The opening weekend features extended hours and guided tours; the festival continues until mid-October. During the festival: Tue–Fri 12–18, Sat 12–16.

WestLicht is hosting the World Press Photo exhibition 2026 for the 25th time in Vienna. You can see 42 award-winning works selected from 57,376 submissions by over 3,747 photographers from 141 countries. Open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM, Thursdays until 9 PM.

Historical photographs and objects meet contemporary voices and art by the Ishír of Paraguay. Developed with representatives of the community, the exhibition explores how cultural heritage is remembered and passed on today. Open Tue–Sun 10 am–6 pm, Tuesdays until 9 pm; closed Mondays except selected public holidays.

At the MAK Forum, Kateryna Lysovenko presents paintings that connect personal observations with social and political questions. The Austria-based artist works with everyday scenes, fragments of news and transformations of familiar imagery. Open Tue 10 am–9 pm and Wed–Sun 10 am–6 pm; closed Mondays except public holidays.

The Weltmuseum presents objects from its collections that have rarely or never been shown publicly. Combs and hair ornaments, stone sculptures and contemporary art offer insights into their origins, cultural significance and current research. Open Tue–Sun 10 am–6 pm, Tuesdays until 9 pm; closed Mondays except selected public holidays.

In her solo exhibition, Ana de Almeida examines carnations and roses as political symbols in Cold War imagery. Taking the Portuguese Carnation Revolution and the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution as points of departure, archival photographs, metal drawings and living plants form a spatial constellation.

This group exhibition at Kunsthalle Exnergasse explores care, parenthood and collaborative artistic practice. The regular exhibition runs from September 17 to October 24, with talks, workshops and performances scheduled separately.

The Lower Belvedere presents work by Erika Giovanna Klien exploring movement, perception and modern life. The exhibition runs from 18 September 2026 to 31 January 2027 during the museum’s regular opening hours.

The ALBERTINA brings Pablo Picasso and Francis Bacon together in a major exhibition of around 70 key works from international museums and private collections. Their radical depictions of the human figure, vulnerability, pain and desire take centre stage.

With “We Are Here”, FOTO ARSENAL WIEN presents Austria’s first extensive solo exhibition of Zanele Muholi. Works spanning more than two decades connect self-representation, queer lived realities and visual activism.

The Heidi Horten Collection presents a major solo exhibition of Elisabeth von Samsonow, bringing together sculpture, painting, drawing, film and a site-specific installation. The show centres on earth, the body, memory and transformation, while also connecting to works in the museum collection.

Kunst VHS opens its open-call exhibition on the theme of “Dialogue”. Submitted works are displayed and the winners selected by an expert jury are announced. The opening takes place on 22 September 2026, 6–9 pm, at Lazarettgasse 27. Admission is free.

The exhibition tells the life stories of Viennese Jews forced into exile after the 1938 Anschluss. It explores the loss of home, difficult new beginnings and repeated journeys of flight to different parts of the world.

This shared virtual-reality experience takes groups of up to six to stars, space telescopes and a black hole. It was developed with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The VR journey lasts around 40 minutes; allow an hour including briefing and equipment. Minimum age is six, with nine and over recommended; children aged six to 14 must be accompanied. The indoor experience is available in German and English. Arrive 15 minutes before the booked slot. Tickets currently extend through 10 January.

From October 2 to 18, re:pair FESTIVAL brings more than 90 participatory events to MuseumsQuartier and other venues across Vienna. Repair clinics, workshops, exhibitions, a clothing swap, films, talks and hands-on making explore practical repair, upcycling and resource-conscious everyday life. Public workshops and activities have individual times, prices and registration requirements.

The Academy’s Paintings Gallery examines the relationship between the avant-garde and academic art through historical and contemporary works. The exhibition opens to regular visitors on 2 October, with an opening event on 1 October at 7 pm.

WIENXTRA-Cinemagic screens four family-friendly monster films across six October showings. The programme includes “Molly Monster”, “Hotel Transylvania”, “Minions & Monster” and “Ein völlig verrücktes Halloween”, with additional activities after selected screenings.

MAK presents historical architectural building kits from 1890 to 1990. Original kits and models explore how playful construction has shaped ideas about architecture, with opportunities for visitors to experiment. The exhibition runs from 7 October 2026 to 14 March 2027. Open Tuesday, 10 am–9 pm, and Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm; closed Mondays. The opening event on 6 October at 7 pm precedes the regular exhibition dates.

The tenth Japanese Film Days present contemporary and historic cinema from Japan. Screenings take place at Filmcasino through 14 October and continue at Filmhaus Spittelberg on 15 October. Talks and accompanying events at HABARI and the Margareten district office complete the programme. Films are shown in Japanese with English subtitles, except A New Dawn, which has German subtitles. Seating is unassigned. Reserved tickets must be collected at least 30 minutes before the screening; festival passes are reserved by email.

The ALBERTINA presents a solo exhibition by Shara Hughes. Her vivid paintings combine landscape motifs with imagined spaces. The exhibition runs from 9 October to 28 February.

This interactive mission takes groups through a walk-through Minecraft world to gather resources and help a village. The experience lasts about 60 minutes and requires no personal gaming device. All ages are welcome; visitors through age 14 need an accompanying adult over 18. Ages two and under enter free. Timed tickets and selected quieter Relaxed Sessions are available. Mondays are usually closed, with holiday exceptions; 26 October is bookable. Tickets currently extend through 28 February.

The Mariahilf Women’s Weeks bring workshops, talks, readings, movement and music to several venues in the sixth district from 12 to 23 October. The programme opens with an art performance and includes 19 announced sessions. Workshops are intended for women and girls; everyone is welcome at the other events. Admission is free, with material fees for two craft workshops. Registration is requested for many workshops.

“Oberwasser” presents work by five artists inside the Favoriten Water Tower. The opening on 13 October includes a tower tour at 7:30 pm, followed by three further exhibition days through the closing event on 16 October.

Shows, workshops, talks and club nights make up the Vienna Drag Festival. Radio Altglas at Marea Alta and a discussion at Das Gugg start the programme. Dschungel hosts the Dutzi and Athene Show, the Miss*ter competition and Drag Society, alongside drag and voguing workshops. Several talks and parties are free; shows and workshops require tickets. The final club night runs until 4 am on 18 October. The three house shows also appear in the stage section; this festival card brings the programme together.

The multimedia exhibition PULS examines Vienna’s streets as social, climatic and political lifelines. Young artists explore movement, heat, encounter, standstill and visibility. The programme includes a pre-opening tour followed by the vernissage, a photo walk through Ottakring, and a closing event with a curatorial tour and queer-feminist discussion.

The 20th Vienna Kunstsupermarkt presents original art for sale on Mariahilfer Straße. The opening and anniversary celebration starts at 5 pm on 14 October. The regular season runs from 15 October to 13 March 2027: Monday to Friday 11 am–7 pm and Saturday 10 am–6 pm. Admission is free; art purchases cost extra. Closed on Sundays. The current calendar lists closures around public holidays and New Year; check the source before a holiday visit.

This exhibition in the Austrian National Library’s State Hall explores displacement and aid during the Hungarian uprising of 1956. Photographs from the library’s collections document how refugees were received, supported and helped on their onward journeys.

MILA is hosting two LeGallineFelici events on consecutive days. On 15 October at 7 pm, the film night “We, the Happy Hens” features portraits, followed by a discussion with guests from Sicily and a tasting. From 1 pm on 16 October, visitors can meet members of the Sicilian organic farming cooperative in the supermarket and sample their products. The organiser has not listed admission prices or end times.

The four-day TAKT Festival brings music together with dance, theatre, photography, fashion and discussion. Nine programme entries at Das LOT explore the theme Shadow:Play. Thursday starts at 8 pm, Friday at 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm. Day tickets and festival passes are available. A limited number of free Kulturpass places can be requested from the association. The organiser publishes start times but no fixed finish times.

The autumn edition of Genusswelten takes place at Palais Auersperg. The three-day event focuses on culinary products and meeting exhibitors; opening hours vary by day. Open Fri 2–7 pm, Sat 10 am–6 pm and Sun 10 am–5 pm.

At YOVO26 in Vienna City Hall on 16 October, around 40 nonprofit organisations present opportunities for young people to volunteer. Visitors can explore projects in social work, environmental and climate protection, and other fields. Admission is free; schools are asked to register.

The Red Night Clubbing takes place at the Ottakringer Brewery on October 16, 2026, featuring multiple live acts and DJs from various genres. The program includes an extended clubbing format with entry later in the evening at an industrial brewery venue.

SYNERGY RAVE brings two collectives to two floors at dasWERK: KARTELL.FM plays trance and HEKTISCH hard techno. The club night starts at 11 pm on Friday.

The Wiener Musi-Tage focus on making music together. On 17 and 18 October, the Wiener Volksliedwerk offers four courses covering zither, strings, contraguitar, singing, accordion and other instruments. The open music evening “Gemma Lepschi” starts the programme on 16 October and welcomes performers and listeners. The workshops require email registration; the listed mid-September deadline has already passed.

The 14th Vienna Volunteer Fair brings nonprofit organisations to City Hall on 17 and 18 October. Visitors can speak with organisations at their stands and explore different ways to volunteer. Admission is free.

The interactive “Kunst=Arbeit” exhibition at the Semmelweisklinik explores working conditions in the arts. Displays and open discussions address access, power and precarious employment; the venue is open from 11 am to 9 pm.

The cooking workshop on 17 October is sold out according to the organiser. Children and teenagers prepare autumn soups and compote together in the MILA community kitchen using organic ingredients and food leftovers. Adults with cooking experience support the afternoon; children through age ten need an adult companion. Participation is free, but no new places are currently available.

The Austrian National Library joins Austria Reads with free tours and research training. On four evenings, Six feet under explores the library and its normally hidden book storage. Five separate sessions on 21 October cover the library, AI, women’s movements and historic news. Meet at the Centre for Information and Media Literacy in Neue Burg, reached through the middle gate at Heldenplatz. Places are limited, so free registration through the linked Eventbrite calendar is required.

EUth hosts a conversation with ORF journalist Stefan Lenglinger about political reporting, his work and how media are changing. Questions and discussion are central, followed by pizza. Registration is currently closed because no places are available.

This exhibition examines an ancient tomb in Ephesos and the power struggles involving Cleopatra, Caesar, Mark Antony and Augustus. It runs from October 20, 2026 to March 29, 2027 at Neue Hofburg, entered through Weltmuseum Wien on Heldenplatz. Regular hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, with late opening until 9 pm on Tuesdays; closed Mondays. Separate museum opening hours apply on public holidays.

This cabinet exhibition explores shoes as a subject in art. Andy Warhol’s prints appear alongside works by artists including Birgit Jürgenssen, Gudrun Kampl and Lena Henke. It runs from October 21, 2026 to April 18, 2027 at the Heidi Horten Collection. Regular opening hours are 11 am to 7 pm every day except Tuesday, with late opening until 9 pm on Thursdays. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing; check the current visitor information for exceptions.

The Viennale brings international films and conversations to Gartenbaukino, Stadtkino, Urania, Filmmuseum and METRO Kinokulturhaus. The festival runs from October 22 to November 3. The full schedule is released on October 13 at 8 pm; advance ticket sales start on October 17 at 10 am.

Crime Night brings more than 30 authors to Viennese cafés and other venues for readings from their crime fiction. Admission is free; visitors should check the individual programme for start times, participating venues and possible reservation rules.

This pop-up exhibition brings together well-known motifs and visual installations from Banksy’s work at METAStadt. It is explicitly not authorised by the artist. Opening hours are 10 am–6 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and public holidays, and 10 am–7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays; last admission is one hour before closing.

WIENXTRA’s neighbourhood tour opens at VHS Kulturgarage with movement and creative activities for children. Halloween crafts and face painting are followed by an interactive Suli Puschban concert from 5 to 6 pm.

Upper Belvedere opens free of charge on Friday evening. Short tours connect works in the collection with democracy, political participation and Austria’s State Treaty. The evening is part of Democracy Week. A free timed ticket is required; booking opens on 16 October. Individual tour times have not yet been published.

Slow Food Wien and VinziRast host a four-course dinner exploring the diversity of regional food. Producers from Vienna and the surrounding region introduce their ingredients and work, while the menu brings together different varieties, preparations and stories behind the food. The dinner takes place on 23 October from 7 pm until about 11 pm at VinziRast Lokal “mittendrin”.

The ATP tournament runs at Wiener Stadthalle from 24 October to 1 November; Marx Halle adds matches and public practice from 24 to 31 October. Red Bull BassLine on 23 October requires a separate ticket and has an afterparty. Dominic Thiem’s Super Fan Day follows on 25 October, and spark7 Next Gen Day on 26 October. The free-ticket promotions for children have ended; regular tickets remain the route to attend. Bring shoes with light soles for the Marx Halle kids’ court from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Game.Set.Match at Studio F opens 27–31 October from 6 pm for tournament guests and after the last match, by 10 pm, for external guests; it ends by 4 am. Match schedules may change.

How can fungi become insulation or other compostable building materials? Flavia Matei from BASEhabitat introduces the possibilities of mycelium. The practical part mainly uses clay. This two-hour Archikids workshop welcomes children aged six and over and adults. Register by emailing [email protected].

INTRIKAT and perмa take over FLUCC with Kid Kodama, GEN-Z, BELHADJ and LËRA. The club night starts at 10 pm and advertises an awareness concept.

RITUAL 404 brings Decibelles and Ignix Collective to dasWERK. The club night featuring Felinae and Brixton starts at 11 pm.

The first Utopia Days bring workshops on solidarity, care, climate justice and urban life together with art, games, music and vegan food. Saturday opens at 11 am in Nordbergstraße; Sunday opens at noon in Romanogasse. Many activities use German and English, with some discussions in one language only. Attendance is free and donations are welcome. Sunday’s Zeile mit Schlag workshop is still unconfirmed and is therefore not a confirmed programme entry. Overall closing times have not been published.

The 19th Gürtel Connection brings more than 60 live acts and DJs to 14 venues along Lerchenfelder Gürtel. A voluntary donation grants access to the shared charity programme; starting times and line-ups vary by venue.

MAK Day offers free admission to the museum on Stubenring. Alongside current exhibitions, visitors can try hands-on activities and join tours on design, everyday culture and textiles; some free tours have advance tour tickets.

Admission to the House of Austrian History is free on National Day. Three quiz stations test visitors’ knowledge of Austria, with a chance to win annual passes by completing them all. A postcard-making station and a history puzzle trail welcome adults and children aged six and over. The museum opens at 10 am; activities run from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Last admission is at 5:30 pm.

Architekturzentrum Wien opens free of charge from 10 am to 6 pm on National Day. Alongside its exhibitions, visitors can preview Temporär. Strukturen der Notwendigkeit while it is still being installed. Afternoon activities include building a LEGO city together, a short tour of the permanent collection and drawing perspectives on architecture. The LEGO workshop welcomes all ages.

Wien Modern 39 presents a month of contemporary music, sound art, music theatre and interdisciplinary formats at venues across Vienna. The 2026 edition explores ecosystems and the sound worlds of the Danube, forests, soil and urban space. The opening concert “Mit der Donau” by Pia Palme with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra is listed for 30 October at 7:30 pm in the Wiener Konzerthaus Great Hall. Tickets cost €17.50–35; the festival pass is also valid.

The University of Vienna opens its main building to alumni, students and other visitors for ReConnect Day. From 2 to 10 pm, the programme includes hands-on research stations, tours of normally closed spaces, short talks and an evening gathering. Free registration is required for the lounges and ceremonial hall programme; the activity stations are open without registration.

Forbidden Frequency hosts a pre-Halloween club night at Club Lucia. It begins just before midnight and runs until 6 am; the collective says proceeds support women’s shelters.

KØRE hosts a Halloween drum and bass rave at Lugner City. Doors open at 10 pm, with tickets available through the organiser-managed shop.

MOON hosts a Halloween club night in Halle E with a large-scale stage, lighting and show production. The party starts at 10 pm on Saturday and ends at 6 am on Sunday. Admission is for guests aged 20 and over, and re-entry is permitted. The organiser provides a separate contact for table reservations.

Dunkelton Kollektiv presents Blacksignal at Loop Bar. The Halloween night starts at 11:30 pm and runs until 4 am; entry is for a voluntary donation.

At the Repair Café in MILA’s community room, volunteers help repair broken portable devices. You can bring small household appliances, entertainment electronics, tools or battery-powered toys. Smartphones, bicycles and large appliances are excluded. The organiser has not listed an admission fee.

The BLICKFANG design fair comes to the MAK from 6 to 8 November. Around 160 selected labels from Austria and across Europe present furniture, fashion and jewellery, with many designers showing their work in person. A regular day ticket costs €14 according to the organiser; children aged 14 and under enter free.

VIENNA ART WEEK takes place from 6 to 13 November under the theme “Navigating Angst”. Museums, galleries and studios across Vienna host tours, talks, exhibitions and performances. The House of Navigating Angst festival hub is at Goldschlagstraße 1, with its exhibition open daily from 1 to 7 pm on 7–13 November. During the Open Studio Days on 7 and 8 November, artists welcome visitors to their studios from 1 to 6 pm. Festival events are free; registration is required for some activities.

At the Wien Museum’s open studio, families mend old clothes and turn holes into new patterns. Children aged eight and over can sew, tack and embroider together with an accompanying adult. The studio opens on 7 and 14 November from 11 am to 4 pm; each visit takes about 45 minutes, with final admission at 3.30 pm. Admission is free and no registration is needed.

The “Flow” exhibition presents work by Irene Zaharoff, Andrea Pierus and Erwin Schwentner in the Alte Schieberkammer. Cellists Friedl Rainer and Marie Orsini-Rosenberg perform at the opening on 10 November. The exhibition then opens on three further announced dates through 15 November.

The Wiener Bildungsfestival brings people working in education together at City Hall on 11 November. The programme includes panels, a keynote, two workshop rounds, hands-on activities and a gallery walk. Doors open at 12:15 pm, the main programme runs from 1 to 6 pm, and a social gathering continues until 7 pm. Attendance is free with registration.

ART&ANTIQUE brings Austrian and international galleries and art dealers to the Hofburg Vienna. The fair focuses on art, antiques and design and returns for its 56th edition in 2026.

Design Depot brings a curated craft and design market to Stage 3 on 14 and 15 November. Visitors can find fashion, jewellery, home accessories and gifts, alongside food trucks and a children’s area. It opens from 11 am to 6 pm on both days. Tickets are available online and at the door.

After the Leopoldi fair, AWSM hosts an Afro House and Melodic House party at Stiftskeller Klosterneuburg. The afterparty starts at 22:00 and continues into early Sunday morning.

This international children's film festival takes place at Cine Center, Cinemagic at Urania and Votiv Kino. The 2026 edition is announced for November 14–22, with the film selection, screening times and updated festival information due in early October. Venues: Cine Center, Fleischmarkt 6, 1010 Vienna; Cinemagic, Uraniastraße 1, 1010 Vienna; Votiv Kino, Währinger Straße 12, 1090 Vienna. Check the individual film programme for age recommendations and language versions.

Vienna Comic Con fills Halls A and B and the Congress Center at Messe Wien with comics, anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, film, television and trading card games. The programme includes international guests, panels, photo and autograph sessions and Austria’s largest Artist Alley.

For its Skyscraper Edition, AWSM hosts an Afro House and Melodic House party at the ALTIA Skybar in the DC Tower. The late-night event overlooks Vienna and runs into Sunday morning.

Around 170 independent labels and small makers present fashion, jewellery, accessories, art, cosmetics, delicacies and other design products at the two-day Edelstoff Christmas Market. Street food, vintage stalls, live workshops, hands-on sessions and music complement the pre-Christmas market in Studio 1 at MARX HALLE.

The New Year’s Eve gala in Vienna City Hall’s festival hall opens at 6:30 pm on 31 December 2026 and ends at 2:30 am on 1 January. A four-course gala dinner is followed by music, dancing and the midnight waltz. Adult tickets are offered in several categories, starting at €350.

The Viennese New Year’s Eve Gala at Palais Ferstel opens at 7 pm on 31 December 2026 and ends at 2:15 am on 1 January. The evening includes a reception, four-course gala dinner, dancing and live music. Tickets start at €485 per guest, depending on category.

AWSM hosts a New Year’s Eve party at Oktogon am Himmel with two dance floors, Afro House, Melodic House and views across Vienna. The party starts at 20:00 and continues until 04:00 after midnight.

The Danube Tower offers three New Year’s Eve options on 31 December 2026: a gala buffet in the Tower Restaurant from 8:30 pm, in the Tower Café from 9 pm, and indoor terrace access from 10:30 pm. All options end at 1 am on 1 January. Prices start at €99 per person for the indoor terrace.

Neuroscientist and science communicator Dr Sophie Imhof discusses health myths, advertising and social media trends in a live podcast. The Vienna date of her Austrian tour takes place in the University of Vienna Audimax.

Vienna Coffee Festival is scheduled for 10–12 September 2027 at Marx Halle. The festival focuses on coffee, roasters and brewing equipment. Opening hours, exhibitors and ticket prices for the new edition have yet to be announced.

The 12th Vienna Rumfestival takes place at Ottakringer Brauerei on 17 and 18 September 2027. Visitors can explore rum from different regions, with tastings and supporting activities announced. Daily opening hours and full details will follow.