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. And if you also go at Christmas time, there is an 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 unlucky.

If you have travelled to the Austrian capital 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 on the Internet. Or at least not directly. You must first be lucky and be one of those chosen by lottery.

This concert is undoubtedly one of the most important Christmas events in the world, which 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 dates that vary, but always fall 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 to make a 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 serious music fan will consider it commensurate 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, but you can still enjoy the best recitals.

In case you were lucky enough to have your name drawn 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 that, the musicians wish the audience a happy new year and play 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 Wiener (Musikvereinsplatz, 1).
• Date: 1 January each year,
• Time: starts at 11:15 am.
• Programme and information: www.wienerphilharmoniker.at.

The New Year's Concert in Vienna is totally 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.
• Golden Hall, the hall par excellence where the New Year's Concert is held. Also known as the Great Hall, it is not only famous for hosting this concert, but its very beauty makes it worth a visit at any time. It is in a historicist style full of classical details, such as its caryatids and pediments in relief. During the rest of the year, it hosts other concerts of a high level. For example, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra or the Wiener Symphoniker, 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, 11 a.m.).
• New Year's Eve Concert (31 December, 7.30 p.m.).

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.

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 at other times.

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 out on a special evening, you can book tickets for this Mozart concert in Vienna.

It is held on the same stage as the New Year's Concert, the Vienna Musikverein. Here, the musicians recreate what a musical evening must have been like in the 18th century and come to play in period costume and wig. It is advisable to arrive at the entrance about 30 minutes early.

• Address: Wiener Musikverein (Musikvereinsplatz, 1).
• Price: around 61 €.
• Time: 20:15.
• Duration: 2 hours.

Concert at St. Anne's Church in Vienna

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 Vienna, very close to Kärntnerstraße, one of its main shopping streets, this church was built in the Gothic style in 1320.

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

• Address: Annagasse, 3b.
• Price: around 40 €.
• Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Time: Concerts usually start at 8 pm.

Strauss and Mozart concert 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 will be able to enjoy waltzes, polkas, arias and other musical genres.

• Address: Johannesgasse, 33.
• Price: from 53 €.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Time: 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: around €43.
• Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Time: Concerts usually start around 8.30pm.

Concert of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons

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

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

• Address: Karlskirche, Karlsplatz, 10.
• Price: from 35 €.
• Duration: from 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Time: 8.15 p.m.

Concert at Schoenbrunn Palace

Another option to enjoy a concert in a unique location is to book your ticket at Schoenbrunn Palace. A World Heritage Site, you will be dazzled not only by the music, but also by the culture and architecture of the setting.

At this evening of classical music in the palace's Orangerie, you will enjoy an unrivalled repertoire of works by Mozart and Strauss performed by a resident orchestra.

• Address: Schönbrunner Schloßstraße, 47.
• Price: from 58 €.
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Time: 8.30 pm.