Vienna New Year's Concert Tickets

The Austrian capital is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe thanks to its palaces, historic buildings, museums and, in general, the atmosphere of its streets. However, when you go at Christmas time there is one activity that eclipses all others: the New Year's Concert.

This concert, performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra every morning on 1 January, takes place in the incomparable setting of the Golden Hall of the Wiener Musikverein. Attending in person is an unforgettable experience, and here's how you can get there. It's not a simple process, so I'll also leave you with some alternatives in case you're not lucky.

If you have travelled to Vienna for Christmas and want to attend the New Year's Concert in Vienna, tickets are a must. The problem is that you can't buy them at the box office or even on the Internet. Or at least not directly. You have to be lucky and be one of those chosen by lottery.

This concert is undoubtedly one of the most important Christmas events in the world. This has led to a very high demand to attend in person and the organisers decided quite some time ago to create a system based on luck.

On varying dates, but always falling in January and/or February, those interested must register on the official website of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This registration is used to participate in a draw in March, from which the names of the lucky winners who will be able to experience the concert live will be drawn.

Other classical concerts in Vienna

If you are not one of the lucky ones in the draw, you have the chance to attend one of the classical concerts in Vienna, some of which include dinner, without having to spend a lot of money.

Actually, the process of entering the raffle for tickets to the New Year's Concert in Vienna is quite simple and does not differ much from what you have to do on other websites for any other purchase. The website is only accessible in German, English and Japanese (as well as Austrian, of course).

The steps to follow are:

• First of all, you have to register a user account on the official website of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It is important to know that this step can be done at any time of the year and is completely independent of the period for participating in the ticket raffle.
• To enter the prize draw, please log into the "My Account" area and use the tab "New Year's concert ticket draw". In the form that appears you will have to specify for which concerts you want the tickets (dress rehearsal, New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Eve). In the case of the New Year's Concert, the application is limited to a maximum of two tickets per account.
• It is important to know that changes can be made to the application within the period allowed to enter the draw, usually for two to three weeks between January and February. The result will usually be communicated with an email explaining how to proceed if your name has been drawn.

Ana's tip

Please note that the website is only accessible in Austrian, German, English and Japanese, but you can use the Google translator and you will have no problem in doing so.

Once you have been selected to purchase tickets, you must pay for them. For the New Year's Concert the price ranges from around €35 to around €1,200. If you have been selected for the Dress Rehearsal, you will have to pay roughly between €20 and €495, while the New Year's Eve Concert costs from €25 to €860. Obviously, prices can change from year to year.

As anyone who has visited Vienna's palaces or the city's museums knows, the Austrian capital is not particularly cheap. When it comes to the most important Christmas event, the New Year's Concert, the price to pay is quite high, but any big music fan will consider it in line with what they will be able to see if they travel to Vienna at Christmas.

Classical music at a more affordable price

However, if you're on a tighter budget and don't want to miss out on a classical concert in the birthplace of great composers such as Mozart and Strauss, there are cheaper options to enjoy the best recitals.

In case you were lucky enough to have your name in the draw and will be able to attend the New Year's Concert in person, I think you might be interested to know a bit of history and some other facts about the event.

A bit of history

The first Vienna New Year's Concert took place in 1941 and since then has only missed its date in 1945, as the building in which it is held was seriously damaged by bombing during the Second World War.

The venue is the Golden Hall of Vienna's Musikverein and the performers are members of the city's highly prestigious Philharmonic Orchestra. Joining this orchestra is not easy, as it requires a minimum of three years playing for the Opera. Only after that can you apply to join the orchestra.

Protagonists

According to the concert tradition, the music performed has been composed mainly by the Strauss family: Johann senior and his sons, Johann, Eduard and Josef.

After the end of the musical programme (which you can see on the orchestra's website), several encores are always played. After this, the musicians wish the audience a happy new year and play what is possibly the most famous waltz: the Blue Danube, composed by Johann Strauss Jr. Finally, they perform the well-known Radetzky March by Johann Strauss senior.

Another of the great attractions of this concert is that they are usually conducted by some of the leading masters of today's music. In recent years alone, names such as Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Georges Prêtre and Mariss Jansons have participated.

How to see it if I haven't got a ticket

Those who are not lucky enough to be able to attend the concert have a consolation of sorts: since 1959, when it began to be produced by Austrian television and co-produced by the European Broadcasting Union, the New Year's Concert has been broadcast live every year. In the last editions the signal reached some 90 countries and the average audience reached 50 million viewers.

New Year's Concert at a glance

• Where: Golden Hall (Goldener Saal) of the Wiener Musikverein (Musikvereinsplatz 1)
• Date: 1 January each year
• Time: starts at 11:15 a.m.
• Programme and information: www.wienerphilharmoniker.at

The New Year's Concert in Vienna is completely inseparable from the place where it is held: the city's Musikverein (Music Club). This auditorium was inaugurated in January 1870 and is considered one of the best in the world for its privileged acoustics. It is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

The building is located very close to the Ringstraße. The auditorium is very reminiscent of a temple with its columns, reliefs and pediments. Inside there are several halls:

• Glass Hall.
• Metal Hall.
• Stone Hall.
• Wooden Hall.
• And the hall par excellence, the Golden Hall, where the New Year's Concert is held. This room, also known as the Great Hall, is not only famous for hosting this concert, its very beauty makes it worth a visit at any time. It was built in a historicist style full of classical details, such as caryatids and pediments in relief. During the rest of the year, this hall hosts other concerts of a high level. Groups such as the aforementioned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Wiener Symphoniker usually play here, as well as some prestigious soloists.

If you want to visit the Musikverein without having to attend a concert, you can book one of the guided tours offered from Monday to Saturday.

When you enter the competition for tickets to the Vienna New Year's Concert you will see that you will also be offered the opportunity to enter a prize draw for tickets to two other related events with the same programme:

• Dress Rehearsal (30 December 2023 at 11:00 a.m.)
• New Year's Eve Concert (31 December 2023 at 19:30).

In this case, you will be able to request up to four tickets for each of them. The price of the New Year's Eve Concert ranges from around €25 to €860, while the rehearsal can cost approximately €20 to €495.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can always go to a concert of Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Vienna.

You may not have the opportunity to attend the New Year's Concert, either because you were not chosen in the draw or because you travelled to Vienna in the summer or on other dates.

However, if you are a classical music lover, you are in the right city. Not only will you be able to visit the famous House of Music, but you will also be able to enjoy a large number of concerts held in absolutely magical venues.

Mozart Concert at Vienna's Musikverein

For those who can't make it to the New Year's Concert, but don't want to miss the opportunity to attend a special evening in the same place where it is held, this is the best possible option.

This concert dedicated to Mozart is held in the Musikverein itself, just like the one on 1 January. In this case, the musicians recreate what a musical evening must have been like in the 18th century and come to play in period costume and wig.

Prices for this concert are around 52 € and it is advisable to arrive at the entrance about 30 minutes early.

• Address: Wiener Musikverein (Musikvereinsplatz 1)
• Price: around €52
• Time: usually at 20:15

Concert in St. Anne's Church

There are few better places to listen to the works of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert than the beautiful St. Anne's Church, the Annakirche. Located in the centre of the city, very close to Kärntnerstraße, one of its main shopping streets, this church was built in the Gothic style in 1320.

The classical music concert in St. Anne's Church lasts about an hour and consists of several performances of the aforementioned composers (who lived and worked in Vienna at some point in their lives) by a string quartet.

• Address: Annagasse 3b
• Price: about 34 €.
• Time: Concerts usually start at 8 p.m.

Concert by Johann Strauss and Mozart in the Kursalon

Although less well known than the Musikverein, Vienna has another important concert hall where classical music concerts are frequently held: the Kursalon. It was here that the waltz became popular during the 19th century thanks to composers such as Johann Strauss.

This concert of Mozart and Strauss in Vienna pays tribute to both composers as well as other Viennese musicians. The show lasts about two hours, during which you can enjoy waltzes, polkas, arias and other musical genres.

• Address: Johannesgasse 33
• Price: about 64 €.
• Time: There is usually one show at 18:00 and another at 20:30.

Classical Music Concert in St. Peter's Church

One of the city's most famous churches, St. Peter's Church is a privileged place where you can enjoy a fabulous classical music concert during your trip to Vienna. Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Vienna.

The atmosphere inside the church is truly unique and the acoustics are truly exceptional. For many, this concert is perfect if you have come to Vienna with children, as the repertoire is full of works that will resonate with them.

• Address: Peter Spl. 1
• Price: about 35 €.
• Time: Concerts usually start around 8.30 p.m.

Concert of 'The Four Seasons' by Vivaldi

Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' is a spectacular work and what better place to enjoy it than in Vienna, and specifically in the impressive Karlskirche, the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, which is characterised by its incredible acoustics.

This concert ticket to Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' is performed by the 1756 Orchestra, which includes baroque and classical instruments.

• Address: Karlskirche, Karlsplatz 10
• Price: from 34 €.