Vienna New Year's Eve Trail 2025: Celebrate with the ESC countdown!

Vienna New Year's Eve Trail 2025: Celebrate with the ESC countdown!

Preparations for the New Year's Eve celebrations in Vienna are in full swing. On December 29, 2025, the 34th edition of the Vienna New Year's Eve Trail celebrated, which once again draws hundreds of thousands to the city center. The event, which is organized by Stadt-Wien-Marketing, extends across eight locations and offers a varied open-air program.

A special highlight of this year's New Year's Eve trail is the thematic focus on the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), which will take place in Vienna in 2026. A countdown clock at Rathausplatz will mark the start of the ESC year by counting down the time to the final on May 16, 2026. On New Year's Eve, the clock will start at midnight and be visible on a large LED wall on the Ringstrasse. In addition, a stage on Rathausplatz presents songs from seven decades of the ESC under the motto “Best of Eurovision”.

Program items and entertainment

The musical supporting program will be led by live performances, including a performance by Benny King and Christiana Uikiza, accompanied by an eight-piece band and DJ Alex List. A diverse music program is offered at several stages in the city center. At the town hall square there will also be activities such as quick waltz courses and atmospheric performances. You will experience, among others, the Funky Ladies and the Camaa Kult Orchestra on Freyung as well as international DJs on Kärntner Straße.

The celebrations begin on December 29th at 2:00 p.m. and end at 2:00 a.m. of the New Year. During this time, it is estimated that around 800,000 visitors will enjoy the city's attractions, various musical performances and gastronomy. Over 24 restaurateurs will offer a variety of dishes, including international street food specialties as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Safety precautions and procedures

The city has developed a comprehensive security and operations concept, which includes, among other things, comprehensive video surveillance and up to 500 security employees. The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, emphasized the logistical and safety challenges of the New Year's Eve trail. There are strict regulations for access to the stage locations and the carrying of pyrotechnic items is strictly prohibited.

In addition, a live broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert on Stephansplatz and the winter market in the Prater will also be available on New Year's Eve.

In May 2026, Vienna will once again become the center of the European music scene when the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the city from May 10th to 17th. The Eurovision Village will be set up in Town Hall Square and entry is free. Daily events and activities are planned on these days, including the Opening Ceremony and the Turquoise Carpet Event on May 10th.

The combination of a traditional New Year's Eve celebration and the starting signal for the ESC year 2026 makes the celebrations in Vienna unique and promises unforgettable experiences for locals and tourists alike.

You can find more information about the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna on the official website Eurovision website.