{"id":79,"date":"2015-08-18T15:46:44","date_gmt":"2015-08-18T13:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=79"},"modified":"2026-01-01T17:26:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T16:26:37","slug":"rathaus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/rathaus\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rathausplatz"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/rathausplatz.jpg\" alt=\"View of the Rathausplatz\" class=\"wp-image-16663\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/rathausplatz.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/rathausplatz-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re in Vienna and looking for something to do, head down to the Rathausplatz square in front of the Rathaus (city hall). The city&#8217;s most popular site for open-air festivals usually has something going on, especially in summer and winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Home to several of Vienna&#8217;s biggest events, including the Christkindlmarkt, Rathaus Film Festival, and Vienna Ice World<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a short <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_WalkingTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">walking tour<\/a>* for your visit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/activities\/events-in-vienna\/\">Events by month<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathaus-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"267\">The Rathaus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rathausplatz-events\">Rathausplatz events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The square ticks a lot of the boxes that make an excellent outdoor location: roomy, central, and easily reached by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/public\/\">public transport<\/a>. The giant 19th-century <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathaus-2\/\">Rathaus building<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathauspark\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"84216\">surrounding city park<\/a> also ensure a suitably picturesque setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No surprise, then, to find the Rathausplatz hosting many of Vienna&#8217;s top annual events. For example&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-christkindlmarkt\">The Christkindlmarkt<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance arch to the Christkindlmarkt\" class=\"wp-image-53864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/christkindlmarkt2022-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The new market entrance)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From mid-November to late December, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/christmasmarkets\/rathausplatz\/\">Christkindlmarkt<\/a> forms Vienna and Austria&#8217;s best-known Christmas market. The Rathaus park also fills with lights and other wintry treats to create a wider seasonal landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dozens of stalls sell arts, crafts, decorations, toys and a range of seasonal refreshments, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/roastchestnuts\/\">roast chestnuts<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/food\/weihnachtspunsch-christmas-punch\/\">Christmas punch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t pass up the chance to visit, since the combination of market ambiance and seasonal lighting is rather fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won&#8217;t be the only one there: many people travel to Vienna during advent to visit the Chrsitkindlmarkt and the city&#8217;s other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/christmas-markets\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1680\">advent markets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vienna-ice-world\">Vienna Ice World<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/icetrails.jpg\" alt=\"Ice skating trails\" class=\"wp-image-42630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/icetrails.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/icetrails-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Lighted skating trails and trees turn the park into an ice wonderland)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From mid\/late January to early March, the Rathausplatz turns into a huge ice rink for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/sport\/wiener-eistraum\/\">Eistraum<\/a> or Vienna Ice World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Ice rink&#8221; undersells it, really. You can slide your way around several rinks, for starters, including a split-level version. And swathes of iced paths take you through the lights and trees of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So get your, um, skates on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accompanying stalls also sell food and drink to keep the cold at bay (just about every event on the Rathausplatz has a big gastronomic section).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A mini version typically accompanies the Christkindlmarkt, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-rathaus-film-festival\">The Rathaus Film Festival<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/filmfestivalfacilities.jpg\" alt=\"Film festival facilities\" class=\"wp-image-41576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/filmfestivalfacilities.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/filmfestivalfacilities-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(On-screen entertainment, off-screen gastronomy)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then in summer we have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/rathaus-film-festival\/\">Rathaus Film Festival<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A huge screen shows films with a musical theme. These include great operas or ballet, but also recordings of concert performances in more contemporary genres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So one night you might enjoy Carmen reminding us that <em>L&#8217;amour est un oiseau rebelle<\/em>, another night Clapton tearing through a blues riff. All free to view, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A long stretch of international food stalls enhance the attractions of the screen with a range of culinary delights&#8230;everything from waffles to wok dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-content-type=\"product\" data-content-ids=\"1029262,976190\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_HistoryTours\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#wienliebe<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/wienliebe2.jpg\" alt=\"Festival with neogothic building in the background\" class=\"wp-image-72163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/wienliebe2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/wienliebe2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Rathaus really does make a lovely backdrop for the events on the square)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/wienliebe-festival\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"70484\">#wienliebe<\/a> event (which translates as &#8220;love for Vienna&#8221;) presents Viennese culture in the form of food, drink, music, arts, crafts and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the city&#8217;s best performers, famous gastronomic haunts, craft enterprises and others celebrate the city across three days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So an occasion to find cake and chamber music, wine and waltzes, crafts and contemporary entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-rathausplatz-events\">Other Rathausplatz events<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gamecity.jpg\" alt=\"Game City vista\" class=\"wp-image-47601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gamecity.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gamecity-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Game City)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other events on the Rathausplatz include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/game-city\/\">GAME CITY<\/a>: a three-day gaming festival in October held on the square and inside the Rathaus. A nice way to see the historical interior, mighty staircases and ceremonial hall of the gothic city hall, since entrance is free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/silvesterpfad\/\">Silvesterpfad<\/a>: the Rathausplatz is a stop on Vienna&#8217;s New Year&#8217;s Eve celebration trail. At midnight, thousands dance a waltz to welcome in the New Year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/steiermark-fruhling\/\">Steiermark Fr\u00fchling<\/a>: a gourmet and travel festival in spring, centered around the province of Styria. Notable for its regional food and drink, traditional music, and suitably-dressed participants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/the-argus-bike-festival\/\">Argus bike festival<\/a>: also over a weekend in spring, Vienna celebrates two wheels with various displays and info stands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/diehelferwiens.wien.gv.at\/wiener-sicherheitsfest\">Sicherheitsfest<\/a>: information and engaging activities around the emergency services and related organisations. Usually held in autumn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/waldviertelpur\/\">Waldviertelpur<\/a>: another regional festival, this time introducing you to the sights, sounds and (mostly) flavours of the Waldviertel, one of the colder, flatter and more mystical parts of Austria<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/rathaus2023.jpg\" alt=\"View of the Rathaus from the square outside\" class=\"wp-image-67063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/rathaus2023.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/rathaus2023-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Not every week has an event)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Should you turn up and find an empty expanse bereft of entertainment, can I recommend two nearby locations to console yourself? Both will happily supply you with fine cake and coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/sluka-konditorei\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"23006\">Conditorei Sluka<\/a> sits off to the left of the town hall as you face it. Try the pear cake. Empress Elisabeth used to visit here<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-landtmann\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"20500\">Caf\u00e9 Landtmann<\/a> occupies its own spot opposite the square and next to the big theatre building. An upper class vibe permeates this traditional coffee house<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-to-the-rathausplatz\">How to get to the Rathausplatz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway: the square has its own station on the U2 subway line, appropriately titled, &#8220;Rathaus&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tram\/bus: since the Rathausplatz adjoins the the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/ring\/\">ring road<\/a> that encircles the historical city center, any of the so-called Ring trams get you there. Take the 1, 71 or D trams to Rathausplatz\/Burgtheater or the 2 tram to Rathaus or Parlament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna, Austria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1CvFy08QgKnm1x4rkMf89o2bjRoLw78on\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re in Vienna and looking for something to do, head down to the Rathausplatz square in front of the Rathaus (city hall). The city&#8217;s most popular site for open-air festivals usually has something going on, especially in summer and winter. Rathausplatz events The square ticks a lot of the boxes that make an excellent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16663,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-79","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87919,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79\/revisions\/87919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}