1. Stroll through a garden of lights

© Imperial Lights

When the winter days are short and it gets dark early, we need to bring even more light into our lives. For instance at the Imperial Lights in Schönbrunn Palace Park. At Imperial Lights, visitors can expect a sparkling world of light, history, and magic. The 60- to 90-minute route through the garden of lights is an atmospheric walk through Vienna's history, with magnificent light installations, impressive sculptures, and Baroque elements. Ideal for the whole family. Until January 6, 2026.

2. View Klimt's ceiling paintings up close

© Karl Heindl, BURG

The Burgtheater in Vienna is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary as Austria's national theater. As part of the anniversary and accompanying renovation work, the Burgtheater is allowing visitors to view the famous ceiling paintings up close via scaffolding and guided tours. The impressive ceiling paintings in the staircases were created by Gustav Klimt together with his brother Ernst and the painter Franz Matsch. Don't miss this unique opportunity! More information about the tours. Until June 2026.

3. Ice skating at the Rathausplatz

© Stadt Wien Markting GmbH/Christian Jobst

The Vienna Ice Dream at Rathausplatz offers ice skating fun for young and old in the heart of the city. An ice rink is already open at the Rathausplatz during the Viennese Christmas Market. Surrounded by atmospheric lighting, you can glide across a 3,000 m² rink (until January 6, 2026, open daily from 10 am to 10 pm). After a brief break, the season continues on January 22, 2026 with an even larger rink. 10,000 m² of mirror-smooth ice, romantic ice trails through the Rathauspark, a skateable viewing terrace, and of course food and drink make for unforgettable icy fun in Vienna.

4. Warm up in a coffeehouse

© Nuriel Molcho

After ice skating, head to a coffeehouse to warm up. There is nowhere cozier in Vienna than a Viennese coffeehouse. Right across from Rathausplatz, directly on the Ringstrasse, you'll find Café Landtmann. Whether it's apple strudel, Landtmann's Guglhupf, or the famous tortes, they're a treat with a classic Viennese Melange. If the hustle and bustle in the city center gets to be too much during the run-up to Christmas, you can opt for the coffeehouses around the city center. You'll always find a seat there.

5. Round off the day with Viennese cuisine

© Konstantin Reyer

Winter is the perfect time to savor Viennese cuisine. Viennese cuisine is pure comfort food on cold winter days and is best enjoyed at a typical Viennese bistro or tavern. One standout is Reznicek. It’s a contemporary Wirtshaus (tavern) serving modern Viennese cuisine. Its cordon bleu is famous citywide.