Innsbruck Events and Festivals
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New Year’s Concert: every year on the first of January the famous Tyrolean Symphonic Orchestra puts on a gala concert at the Congress Innsbruck. Other performance groups round off the event, which is one of the cultural highlights of Innsbruck’s calendar.
Fasnacht: this masked procession portraying the universal struggle between good and evil happens every four years. The masks are very old and considered works of art. Other participants follow along ringing myriad cow bells, creating quite a spectacle. If you’re lucky to be in Innsbruck for this event, you are in for a treat.
Air and Style Snowboard Contest: snowboarding is the feature at this popular annual event just outside Innsbruck in Seefeld. All kinds of competitions turn the resort into a buzzing mass of snow enthusiasts. A gigantic outdoor music concert wraps things up, and is for many the highlight of the event.
Easter Festival (Osterfestival Tirol): to celebrate the Christian holiday of Easter, an extended schedule of spiritual music is held at churches and other venues around Innsbruck. Choirs and classical ensembles showcase their talents, backed by special rituals and other events.
Maypole Celebration (Maibaumaufstellen der Brauchtumsgruppe): for a glimpse into a distant time, head out to the neighbouring village of Aldrans for this yearly spring festival. On the last day of April the entire village celebrates the arrival of spring with a massive party, followed on May 1st by traditional dancing around a maypole. It’s a rare look at a truly ancient ritual.
Gauder Fest: make the effort to get to the Zittertal valley to witness this traditional 500 year-old festival celebrating spring. The small market town bursts at the seams as thousands of people converge on it to enjoy the traditional Tyrolean music, singing and dancing which this valley is famous for. A special strong beer known as gauderbier is unleashed on the public to the delight of nearly everyone in attendance.
Tanzsommer International Dance Festival: one of the premier dance festivals in Austria is held every June in Innsbruck. Both traditional Tyrolean dance and modern styles are featured at venues around the city. This is a good chance to see some of the more unusual folk dances of the Tyrol region.
Frühschoppenkonzert: a summer-long series of free outdoor concerts kicks off in July at the resort town of Igls. The scenery is spectacular and the music diverse and entertaining, making an outing to this beautiful town the ideal way to spend a summer Sunday.
Axamer Dorffest: the nearby village of Axams is the site of this annual festival that runs throughout the month of August. Thousands of visitors flock to this beautiful alpine resort town to enjoy folk music, traditional food and plenty of strong drink.
Innsbruck Festival: one of the city’s largest festivals is a highlight of the event calendar, and quite famous throughout Europe. Theatrical and musical performances based on traditional compositions written during the 14th through 18th centuries are held at venues around Innsbruck throughout the month of August.
Alpine Folk Music Festival: some of the best Tyrolean folk music in the country is performed in Innsbruck during this major cultural event. Hundreds of performers come from all over the Tyrol region to sing and showcase their musical talents throughout September. The quality is superlative, and plenty of partying, eating and drinking supplement the wealth of music.
Hiking World Championships: yes, there is actually a world competition for hiking, and it happens each autumn in the alpine resort town of Igls. Even if you’re just a casual hiker, you can enjoy the festivities, glorious autumn scenery and parties that go with the serious racing.
Jeunesse Children’s Concerts: over the course of several weeks, the Conservatory Music Hall and Congress Venue hold a series of special music concerts and theatre performances dedicated to children. Some of the shows are performed by talented children’s groups, while others are targeted at the children themselves. Either way, the shows are excellent and portray traditional Austrian folk tales.
Christmas Market: to kick off the Christmas season, Innsbruck opens its annual Christkindlmarkt. This seasonal celebration is a major event for the city, and lasts through the middle of December. Traditional Christmas markets, street entertainment and lots of special events for children are the highlights of this charming period. Innsbruck is at its finest, especially along the Landhausplatz and the Herzog Friedrich Strasse.
Innsbruck Mountain New Year’s Eve: if you’re in the city for New Year’s Eve, head straight to the Old Town’s Market Square. Live music, warm food and a spectacular midnight fireworks display are just some of the highlights of Innsbruck’s largest party of the year.
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Modern hotel, excellent staff, We originally reserved a non-smoking room, but at the check-in they explained that a smoking room was asked. But it took two minutes and they have changed and we were sa...
Modern hotel, excellent staff, We originally reserved a non-smoking room, but at the check-in they explained that a smoking room was asked. But it took two minutes and they have changed and we were sa...
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