New Year is almost here. Are you heading to Austria for New Year's countdown? If yes, well done! You have made the best choice this time. Whether you spend your last night of the year with spectacular fireworks at Heldenplatz in the capital city, Vienna, or enjoy a special celebration in the rooftop restaurant “IMLAUER Sky Bar & Restaurant” in Salzburg, it will always be rememberable for you till the last breath. The New Year's celebration in Austria is called Silvester, basically, it's a German word to describe New Year's Eve. Celebrating New Year in Austria is an incredible experience like no other. See you there in Vienna, then!
8 Best Destinations to Ring in the New Year in Austria
Austria is an amazing country in Central Europe to explore natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage. The best time to visit Austria is in summer from June through August. Every year, it attracts thousands of revelers for the New Year countdown. Celebrating New Year in Austria is quite different from other countries as there are a few Austrian customs that locals follow during the last night of the year including saying Guten Rutsch & Prosit Neujahr, giving lucky charms to their friends and family, and using lead pouring kits to predict the future. New Year's Eve in Vienna is all about music, wine, balls, parties, and extravagant fireworks. Now, the question is how are you going to do all this? Here, we have mentioned the epic destinations to make your dream come true for experiencing a mesmerizing NYE in Austria.
- Vienna
- Salzburg
- Innsbruck
- Graz
- Linz
- Zell am See
- Hallstatt
- Kitzbühel
1. Vienna
Vienna is the beautiful capital city and one of the best places to celebrate New Year in Austria. Vienna on NYE turns into a massive party zone, attracting millions of revelers across the globe. The "New Year's Eve Trail" aka Silvesterpfad starts typically at 2 PM on 31st December and ends at 2 AM on New Year's Day. You can explore extravagant parties at Hofburg, the Imperial Palace, mega events around the Graber, the best fireworks at Heldenplatz, and have a great meal at the Danube during New Year's Eve in Vienna, Austria.
Popular Hotels:
- Hilton Vienna Waterfront
- ibis Wien Mariahilf
- Hilton Vienna Park
- Austria Trend Hotel Europa Wien
- Vienna Marriott Hotel
- Courtyard Vienna Prater/Messe
- Hotel Grand Ferdinand Wien
Popular Restaurants:
- Restaurant Rote Bar
- Restaurant Ofenloch
- Lugeck
- Griechenbeisl
- Zum weißen Rauchfangkehrer
- Patara Restaurant Vienna GmbH
- Bauernbräu
Major Attractions:
- Hofburg
- Belvedere Palace
- St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Hundertwasser House
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
- Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel
Nearest Airport: Vienna International Airport
2. Salzburg
The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is another popular Austrian spot to enjoy the last day of the year with live music, mesmerizing fireworks, and mouth-watering cuisine. Do not forget to visit the Cathedral for the best experience as the majority of the best NYE celebrations are held here. Experiencing traditional New Year's Salute at Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg is one of the major things to do in Austria during New Year's Eve.
Popular Hotels:
- Holiday Inn Salzburg City, an IHG Hotel
- Hotel NH Collection Salzburg City
- Hotel Sacher Salzburg
- MEININGER Hotel Salzburg City Center
- H+ Hotel Salzburg
- Hotel Stein
- Hotel Goldgasse, an SLH Hotel
Popular Restaurants:
- Braurestaurant IMLAUER
- Zwettler's Wirtshaus
- Zum Zirkelwirt
- Restaurant Stiegl-Keller
- Gasthof Goldgasse
- Pauli Stubm
- Sternbräu
Major Attractions:
- Fortress Hohensalzburg
- Mirabell Palace
- Mozart's Birthplace
- Schloss Hellbrunn
- Salzburg Cathedral
- Getreidegasse Street
- DomQuartier Salzburg
Nearest Airport: DomQuartier Salzburg
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3. Innsbruck
Spending New Year's Eve in Innsbruck, Austria gives you a wonderful opportunity to attend brass band parades and evening fanfares in the Old Town with a beautiful view of unique light displays all around the city. You can enjoy the splendid fireworks displays with laser shows around the mountain range, Nordkette. Very few people know that Innsbruck is one of the best places to visit in Europe for NY 2025 celebrations. Nestled in the Alps, it offers a perfect mixture of natural beauty, historic charms, and outdoor activities that you can explore to make your New Year memorable.
Popular Hotels:
- Hotel Innsbruck
- MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck Zentrum
- ibis Innsbruck
- NALA individuellhotel
- AC Hotel Innsbruck
- Hotel Central – Innsbruck
- Hotel Grauer Bär
Popular Restaurants:
- Stiftskeller
- Restaurant Goldener Adler Innsbruck
- die Wilderin
- Das Schindler
- Le Murge
- Restaurant Oniriq
- Restaurant Bierwirt
Major Attractions:
- Golden Roof
- Alpenzoo Innsbruck
- City Tower
- Bergisel Ski Jump
- Altstadt Innsbruck
- Dom St. Jakob
- Innsbrucker Hofgarten
Nearest Airport: Innsbruck Airport
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4. Graz
Graz traditionally welcomes the New Year with a splendid laser show at Lasertron Graz, live DJ music on the Hauptplatz (main square) and Town Hall, and grand parties at renowned bars and clubs. Mariahilferplatz is a great choice to attend New Year's Eve parties in Graz. Don't forget to book your tickets in advance to attend Austria's New Year celebration and create your precious moment.
Popular Hotels:
- Hotel Das Weitzer
- Hotel Mercure Graz City
- Hotel NH Graz City
- Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel Graz
- Parkhotel
- Schlossberghotel – Das Kunsthotel
- Hotel Mariahilf
Popular Restaurants:
- Der Steirer
- Caylend
- El Gaucho at Landhaus
- Landhauskeller
- El Pescador
- Gösser Bräu
- Mohrenwirt Graz
Major Attractions:
- Main Square of Graz
- Old Town of Graz
- Styrian Armory
- Graz Cathedral
- Uhrturm
- Castle Eggenberg
- Grazer Burg
Nearest Airport: Grazer Burg Airport
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5. Linz
Linz is one of the best places to visit in Austria among revelers, especially for New Year's festivities. There are many ways to spend New Year's Eve 2024 in Linz. You can attend parties, explore pubs, and take a boat cruise ride near the Danube River to enjoy the beautiful fireworks displays. Also, you can visit the Schlossberg and Pöstlingberg mountains to watch the massive fireworks.
Popular Hotels:
- Hotel Schillerpark Linz, a member of Radisson Individuals
- Park Inn by Radisson Linz
- Courtyard Linz
- Leonardo Boutique Hotel Linz City Center
- ARCOTEL Nike
- Austria Classic Hotel Wolfinger Linz
- Hotel Motel One Linz-Hauptplatz
Popular Restaurants:
- Restaurant Rauner
- Gelbes Krokodil
- PAULS steak & veggi Linz
- Jack the Ripperl | Linz – Taubenmarkt
- Stadtliebe
- Verdi-Restaurant-Einkehr
- Herberstein
Major Attractions:
- Schlossmuseum Linz
- Linz’s main square
- Grottenbahn
- Mozarthaus
- Linz Botanical Garden
- Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz
- Linzer Mariendom
Nearest Airport: Salzburg Airport
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6. Zell am See
Zell am See is a stunning alpine town to explore beautiful scenery including lakes, glaciers, and mountains. You should visit Zell am See in Austria at New Year for a great and memorable celebration. Here, you can enjoy an extensive New Year's program with lively music and dance, scrumptious cuisine, and learn about the traditional Austrian program. Apart from New Year's Eve festivities, you can explore other outdoor activities during the daytime.
Popular Hotels:
- Grand Hotel Zell am See
- HAIDVOGL MAVIDA Zell am See
- AlpenParks Hotel & Apartment Central Zell am See
- The Gast House Zell am See
- Hotel Fischerwirt
- The House Zell am See
- Gästehaus Haffner
Popular Restaurants:
- Restaurant Kupferkessel - Kreml GmbH
- Seewirt - Das Restaurant
- Village Kitchen Restaurant & Lounge
- Deins & Meins
- Yor Ribs
- Restaurant Steinerwirt
- Schober Alm
Major Attractions:
- Zell am See Wasserspiele
- Zell am See esplanade
- Brunnen am Stadtplatz
- Hundertwasserbrunnen
- Museum Vogtturm
- Ronachkopf
- Panorama - Plattform "Kaiserblick"
Nearest Airport: Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart
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7. Hallstatt
Hallstatt, the lakeside town in Austria, is a perfect New Year destination for mountain lovers, attracting many visitors from around the world. Here, you can experience fun events, jaw-dropping fireworks, and a great dinner in popular rooftop bars with full-on entertainment throughout the night. Rudolfsturm, Gasthof Simony, and Café Derbl are the best choices among tourists for having scrumptious cuisine in Austria on New Year's Eve. Come and experience a luxurious dinner in one of the most admired restaurants in Austria.
Popular Hotels:
- Heritage Hotel
- Gasthof Simony- Hallstatt
- Seehotel Grüner Baum
- Dormio Resort Obertraun
- Hallstatt Hideaway Seehotel am Hallstättersee
- Seewirt – Zauner
- Apartmenthouse Seerose Obertraun
Popular Restaurants:
- Bräugasthof
- Rudolfsturm
- Muk’s Schmankerl
- Uferwirt Seeraunzn
- Einkehr Stub'n
- Das Kainz
- Zum Bader Gastwirtschaft
Major Attractions:
- Hallstätter Wasserfall
- Welterbemuseum Hallstatt
- Salzwelten Hallstatt
- Marktplatz Hallstatt
- Panoramic Viewpoint - Hallstatt Skywalk
- Gedenkbrunnen
- Hallstatt boathouses
Nearest Airport: Salzburg Airport
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8. Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel is always an amazing place to discover the alpine lifestyle, outdoor activities, and scrumptious cuisine in Austria, attracting many tourists from around the globe. However, you should explore its New Year celebrations for the best experience. You can take a beautiful glimpse of fireworks displays all around the town with stunning scenery. Just imagine, what could be better than this? Along with this, you can enjoy historic museums, hiking trails, and other adventurous activities, some of the best things to do in Europe for a great vacation.
Popular Hotels:
- Hotel Kaiserhof
- Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort
- Q! Hotel Maria Theresia Kitzbühel
- Aktivhotel Schweizerhof - Hotel & Restaurant
- ERIKA Boutiquehotel Kitzbühel
- Alpenhotel Kitzbühel am Schwarzsee
- Hotel Rasmushof Kitzbühel
Popular Restaurants:
- Simple food & drinks
- Huberbräu-Stüberl
- LOIS STERN Restaurant Kitzbühel
- Restaurant Zinnkrug
- Restaurant Berggericht
- Mocking - Das Wirtshaus
- Restaurant Anna - Kitzbühler Genuss Restaurant
Major Attractions:
- Legendenpark Kitzbühel
- Museum Kitzbühel
- Jufenkreuz 1930m
- Alpine Flower Garden Kitzbuehel Horn
- KaiserBad Ellmau
- Legendenpark
- Geißstein
Nearest Airport: Salzburg Airport, Innsbruck Airport, Munich Airport
Celebrating New Year in Austria is an incredible experience filled with unique traditions and festive activities. With its Central European charm, rejuvenated vibrant ambiance, and unique NY traditions, Austria is a great place to bid on the last year and welcome the year ahead with positivity and excitement. Be it you're looking for a romantic holiday with your partner or you just want to have an extraordinary celebration, Austria provides an exhilarating experience on New Year's with everyone's reach. Ring in the New Year in Austrian style with a festive concert, a great dinner, and amazing fireworks displays. Avail the best Austria tour packages to visit this famous European country on New Year's Eve and enjoy a memorable holiday. “Frohes neues Jahr". This is how we say Happy New Year in the Austrian language.
New Year in Austria FAQs:
There are plenty of incredible spots to watch mesmerizing fireworks displays in Austria during NYE 2024 including Nordkette, Around Cathedral in Salzburg’s Old Town, and Heldenplatz in Vienna.
In Austria, there are a plethora of customs to welcome the New Year. Here are some of the common traditions:
- Guten Rutsch & Prosit Neujahr
- Lucky Charms
- Lead Pouring
- Dance a waltz
Austrians celebrate New Year in a unique way. There are certain customs that Austrians follow during the NYE with hosting extravagant fireworks shows, concerts, lush parties, and scrumptious dining.
The average temperature during NYE in Austria ranges from –1 to 4 degrees Celsius.
You can enjoy mesmerizing fireworks, live DJs music, refreshing beverages, lush parties, and full-on entertainment until midnight during NYE 2024 in Austria.
Not at all. The last day of the year 2024 i.e. New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday in Austria.
Some of the major things to do in Vienna during NYE are -
- Attending the NYE ball in Hofburg, the Imperial Palace
- Enjoying city’s major events around the Graber
- Enjoying NYE dinner cruise on the Danube
You can enjoy the major NYE events in Austria at the following places:
- At Heldenplatz in Vienna
- Around Cathedral in Salzburg’s Old Town
- At ADvent in The Graz Region
- At the Hotel Berner in Zell am See
Some of the traditional dishes to taste in Austria include Wiener Schnitzel, Tyrolean fried potatoes with meat, Austrian potato goulash, and Vienna Sausage.
Ema's Pub, K&K Pub, Rooftop 7, and Aurora Rooftop Bar are some of the great choices for having refreshing beverages in Austria at New Year's.
