November is a quieter, cooler month in Vienna, with shorter days and indoor culture at its best. It is also when the city starts to prepare for Christmas. The events below are ones that typically take place around this time of year. Dates, programmes and prices change every year, so confirm them with the organiser or at wien.info before booking anything.
What November Feels Like
Expect cold, often grey weather, with temperatures that can be just above freezing at night. Many activities move indoors, to museums, concert halls, theatres and coffeehouses. See our Vienna weather guide for what to pack. Accommodation is often cheaper than in December, but check current prices for your dates.
Culture
Viennale
Vienna’s international film festival usually begins in late October and finishes in early November. Many screenings are in the original language with subtitles. The programme and tickets are on the festival’s website.
Vienna Art Week
Vienna Art Week is typically held in November. Galleries, studios and museums open their doors for talks, tours and open-studio events, and many events are free or low-cost. Check the official programme for this year’s dates.
Book Fair and Contemporary Music
The Buch Wien book fair is usually held in the autumn at the Messe Wien, and the Wien Modern festival of contemporary music takes place in the autumn as well. Confirm dates on each organiser’s website.
Concerts and Opera
The State Opera, the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus run full programmes. Book early for popular dates and buy from official sellers. For classical music etiquette and tips, see our guide to classical concerts in Vienna.
Traditions
All Saints’ Day, 1 November
1 November is a public holiday in Austria. Shops are closed and many people visit cemeteries. Plan ahead for opening hours. See our list of public holidays in Vienna.
St Martin’s Day, 11 November
Martinstag is celebrated with lantern walks for children, and restaurants serve roast goose (Martinigansl) around this date. Popular restaurants book up, so reserve ahead if you want to try it.
Start of Ball Season
11 November is traditionally seen as the start of the carnival period, but most of Vienna’s famous balls take place from January to February. If a ball is on your list, check the dress code and ticket rules on the organiser’s website.
Christmas Markets Begin
The first Christmas markets open in November, with others following later in the month. Opening dates and hours are published by each market, and we have collected them in our Vienna Christmas markets guide. Check each market’s own website shortly before your visit, as hours can change.
Practical Tips
- Book museums, concerts and restaurants early for weekends.
- Carry some cash for market stalls that may not accept cards.
- See our Vienna events calendar and best time to visit Vienna guide for the rest of the year.
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I’m Andrea, a travel writer based between Vienna and the Croatian coast, and I’ve been exploring both countries in depth for the past 10 years.
I’ve taken 50+ solo trips across Austria, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy and the wider Balkans, and I speak German, Croatian and English fluently, which means I get to have conversations most tourists never do. I know which Viennese coffee house the locals actually go to (hint: not the famous ones), and I know the Dalmatian islands well enough to tell you which ferry to take and which to avoid.
My writing is grounded in lived experience: I’ve navigated Austrian bureaucracy as a resident, hiked the Julian Alps in September when the crowds have gone, and eaten my way through Dubrovnik’s back streets at midnight. I cover Central Europe and the Adriatic for solo travellers who want something more than a highlight reel.
I also write in depth about Vienna and Austria at allaboutvienna.com, where you’ll find everything from neighbourhood guides to seasonal event coverage and expat tips.
When I’m not writing I’m usually hiking, swimming in the Adriatic, or arguing about which city makes better coffee. (It’s Vienna. It’s always Vienna.)