Austria, a country rich in history, culture, and tradition, celebrates numerous public and regional holidays each year. These holidays reflect Austria’s strong connection to its religious roots, its historical milestones, and the diverse regional cultures within the country. In 2025, Austrians will mark public and regional holidays with a variety of traditions, from solemn church services to lively festivals and commemorative ceremonies.

Learn more: Europe Calendar 2025 - List of Public Holidays and Celebration

Key public holidays in Austria 2025
Key public holidays in Austria 2025

List of Public Holidays in Austria 2025

1. New Year’s Day (Neujahrstag)

  • Date: January 1, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most supermarkets are closed. Some restaurants and tourist attractions remain open.
  • History and Significance:

    New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year and is celebrated worldwide. In Austria, it’s both a time of reflection and hope for the future. The holiday also honors an ancient Roman tradition of paying tribute to Janus, the god of beginnings.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Austrians celebrate with family meals, watching the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert, and enjoying fireworks displays. Many attend church services, while others take a traditional New Year’s Day hike in the Alps.

2. Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)

  • Date: January 6, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus and marks the end of the Christmas season. This holiday has deep roots in Catholic traditions, which are strongly observed in Austria.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Children dress as the Three Wise Men (Sternsinger) and sing carols to raise money for charity. Many Austrians also attend a special mass, and homes are blessed with chalked initials “C+M+B” (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar).

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3. Easter Monday (Ostermontag)

  • Date: April 21, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Easter Monday follows Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is part of the broader Easter festivities observed across Austria.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Families enjoy Easter egg hunts, traditional meals featuring lamb or ham, and outdoor activities like picnics or walks in the countryside. Many villages hold festive markets with local crafts and foods.

4. Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit)

  • Date: May 1, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Labour Day honors workers’ rights and the achievements of the labor movement. It became a public holiday in Austria in 1919.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Parades and rallies organized by trade unions are common in Vienna and other major cities. Families also celebrate spring with picnics and hikes. Traditional maypole dancing (Maibaumaufstellen) is a festive highlight in rural areas.

5. Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)

  • Date: May 29, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    This Christian holiday, observed 40 days after Easter, commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven. It has been a public holiday in Austria for centuries.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Many attend church services, while families use the day for hiking or visiting Austria’s picturesque countryside. Traditional fairs often accompany the holiday.

6. Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag)

  • Date: June 9, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Whit Monday follows Pentecost Sunday, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. It is widely celebrated in Catholic countries like Austria.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Religious processions and masses are held nationwide. Austrians often spend the day outdoors, enjoying festivals, music, and traditional foods.

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7. Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)

  • Date: June 19, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Corpus Christi celebrates the Eucharist and the belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament. This deeply religious holiday dates back to the Middle Ages.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Austrians participate in elaborate processions, with villagers creating intricate flower carpets along the procession route. Traditional music and local fairs often accompany the festivities.

8. Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag)

  • Date: October 26, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most businesses are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Austrian National Day commemorates the signing of Austria’s neutrality declaration in 1955, marking the country’s regained independence after World War II.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Ceremonies are held at the Heldenplatz in Vienna, featuring speeches and military displays. Many Austrians enjoy free entry to museums and historical sites. Hiking is a popular tradition on this day.

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9. All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen)

  • Date: November 1, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    All Saints’ Day honors all saints and deceased loved ones. It is a deeply reflective and solemn holiday in Austria.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Families visit cemeteries to place flowers, especially chrysanthemums, on graves. Churches hold special masses, and many Austrians light candles in memory of the departed.

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10. Christmas Day (Weihnachtstag)

  • Date: December 25, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and most supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is one of Austria’s most important holidays.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Families gather for festive meals, including goose or carp, and exchange gifts. Traditional Christmas markets, such as Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt, are a highlight of the season.

11. St. Stephen’s Day (Stefanitag)

  • Date: December 26, 2025
  • Type: Public Holiday
  • Closures: Schools, public offices, and supermarkets are closed.
  • History and Significance:

    St. Stephen’s Day honors Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It is also considered a day for visiting relatives.

  • Celebrations and Activities:

    Austrians spend the day with family, enjoying leftovers from Christmas feasts or attending concerts and cultural events.

Regional and Observed Holidays in Austria 2025

In addition to the national public holidays, Austria’s nine federal states observe unique regional holidays that celebrate local saints, historical events, and regional customs. These holidays reflect the cultural diversity and historical richness of each region, with some areas observing additional Catholic feast days and traditional events unique to their communities.

1. St. Joseph’s Day (Josefitag)

  • Date: March 19, 2025
  • Observed In: Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg
  • Significance:

    Honors St. Joseph, the patron saint of the Catholic Church, workers, and families. In certain regions, it is a day for celebrating family values and regional identity.

  • Celebrations:
    • Church services are held in honor of St. Joseph.
    • In some areas, local markets and festivals feature traditional crafts and foods.

2. St. Florian’s Day (Florianitag)

  • Date: May 4, 2025
  • Observed In: Upper Austria (St. Florian is the patron saint of Upper Austria and firefighters)
  • Significance:

    Honors St. Florian, the protector against fire and floods, and celebrates the work of firefighters and emergency services.

  • Celebrations:
    • Parades, blessings of firefighting equipment, and community gatherings are held.
    • Fire stations often open to the public with demonstrations of fire safety and rescue equipment.

3. St. Leopold’s Day (Leopolditag)

  • Date: November 15, 2025
  • Observed In: Lower Austria and Vienna
  • Significance:

    Celebrates St. Leopold, the patron saint of Lower Austria and Vienna, who played a major role in establishing religious sites across the region.

  • Celebrations:
    • Religious services and pilgrimages, especially to Klosterneuburg Monastery.
    • Local fairs, traditional music, and gatherings celebrate regional identity.

4. Corpus Christi Processions (Fronleichnam)

  • Date: June 19, 2025 (Observed nationwide, but particularly significant in rural areas and the Alpine regions)
  • Observed In: Nationwide, with major celebrations in Salzburg, Tyrol, and Carinthia
  • Significance:

    A Catholic celebration of the Holy Eucharist, marked by elaborate processions and religious ceremonies.

  • Celebrations:
    • Traditional processions through towns and villages, with participants wearing traditional clothing.
    • In some areas, decorated boats take part in “Lake Processions,” where altars are set up on boats.
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5. Carinthian Plebiscite Day (Tag der Volksabstimmung)

  • Date: October 10, 2025
  • Observed In: Carinthia
  • Significance:

    Marks the anniversary of the 1920 Carinthian Plebiscite, in which the region voted to remain part of Austria instead of joining the newly formed Yugoslavia.

  • Celebrations:
    • Official ceremonies and exhibitions highlighting Carinthian culture and history.
    • Schools and public institutions may organize educational programs about the plebiscite.

6. St. Rupert’s Day (Rupertitag)

  • Date: September 24, 2025
  • Observed In: Salzburg
  • Significance:

    Celebrates St. Rupert, the patron saint of Salzburg and founder of the city’s iconic St. Peter's Abbey.

  • Celebrations:
    • The Rupertikirtag (St. Rupert’s Fair) is held in Salzburg, featuring amusement rides, folk music, and traditional markets.
    • The fair showcases local handicrafts, foods, and cultural performances.

7. Ascension Day Processions (Christi Himmelfahrt)

  • Date: May 29, 2025
  • Observed In: Nationwide, but especially celebrated in Tyrol and rural areas
  • Significance:

    Marks the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven and is often a time for regional traditions and gatherings.

  • Celebrations:
    • Church services and processions.
    • In Tyrol, some communities organize “mountain processions,” where locals hike to chapels in the Alps to attend special services.
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8. Almabtrieb (Cattle Drive Celebrations)

  • Dates: September to October (Exact dates vary by region)
  • Observed In: Alpine regions such as Tyrol, Salzburg, and Styria
  • Significance:

    Celebrates the return of cattle from mountain pastures to the valleys, marking the end of the grazing season.

  • Celebrations:
    • Cows are decorated with flowers, wreaths, and bells as they are paraded through villages.
    • Local festivals with music, traditional food, and folk dances accompany the procession.

9. St. Martin’s Day (Martinitag)

  • Date: November 11, 2025
  • Observed In: Burgenland and parts of Styria
  • Significance:

    St. Martin’s Day celebrates St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of Burgenland and a figure associated with charity.

  • Celebrations:
    • Children participate in lantern parades, and people enjoy a traditional meal of roast goose.
    • Wineries in Burgenland often hold wine-tasting events to celebrate the new wine season.

Conclusion

Austria’s public and regional holidays in 2025 reflect the country’s strong Catholic traditions, historical milestones, and regional pride. These holidays are opportunities for Austrians to come together, celebrate their heritage, and enjoy moments of rest and reflection. Visitors to Austria will find these holidays rich in culture and deeply rooted in the country’s identity.

FAQs

  1. What are the main public holidays in Austria?

    Major public holidays include New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Austrian National Day, Christmas Day, and All Saints’ Day.

  2. Are shops and offices open on public holidays in Austria?

    Most public holidays see closures of schools, public offices, and supermarkets. Tourist attractions and some restaurants may remain open.

  3. Do regional holidays affect all of Austria?

    No, regional holidays like St. Rupert’s Day are celebrated only in specific states or regions.

  4. How do Austrians celebrate National Day?

    National Day is marked with military parades, speeches, free museum entries, and outdoor activities like hiking.

  5. Are religious holidays widely observed in Austria?

    Yes, Austria’s strong Catholic heritage means that holidays like Christmas, All Saints’ Day, and Corpus Christi are deeply celebrated.

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