Festivals in Villach
Villach is a beautiful city in the south of Austria, near the border with Italy and Slovenia. Villach is known for its scenic location, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and its rich cultural heritage. But Villach is also a lively and vibrant city, where festivals and events are celebrated throughout the year.
Villach Carnival
The Villach Carnival is one of the biggest and most colorful carnivals in Europe. It starts on November 11 and ends on March 4, with the highlight being the grand parade on the last Saturday before Ash Wednesday. The parade features thousands of participants in elaborate costumes and masks, representing different themes and groups, such as the Faschingsgilde (the carnival guild), the Narrenrat (the council of fools), and the Prinzenpaar (the prince and princess). The parade also includes floats, bands, dancers, and acrobats, creating a spectacular show that attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators. The carnival is not only a visual feast, but also a musical and culinary one, as the streets are filled with music, laughter, and delicious food and drinks. The carnival is a celebration of joy, creativity, and humor, and a great opportunity to experience the local culture and spirit.
Villacher Kirchtag
The Villacher Kirchtag is the largest traditional folk festival in Austria, and one of the oldest and most famous in Europe. It is held every year in the first week of August, and lasts for seven days. The festival commemorates the consecration of the parish church of St. Jakob in 1526, and celebrates the regional identity and heritage of Villach and Carinthia. The festival features a variety of events and attractions, such as the Kirchtagssuppe (a special soup made with beef, vegetables, and herbs), the Kirchtagsbier (a special beer brewed for the occasion), the Kirchtagskrapfen (a sweet pastry filled with jam or cream), the Kirchtagsmarkt (a market with local crafts and products), the Kirchtagsmusik (live music performances by local and international artists), and the Kirchtagsfeuerwerk (a fireworks display on the last night). The festival also showcases the traditional costumes, dances, and customs of the region, such as the Trachtenumzug (a parade of people wearing folk dresses), the Schuhplattler (a dance where men slap their shoes and legs), and the Gstanzlsingen (a form of humorous singing). The festival is a fun and festive occasion for locals and visitors alike, and a chance to enjoy the authentic and diverse culture of Villach and Carinthia.
Atrio SUP Festival
The Atrio SUP Festival is a new and exciting festival that combines sport, music, and nature. It is held every year in May, at the Lake Faak, one of the most beautiful and cleanest lakes in Austria. The festival is dedicated to the sport of stand-up paddling (SUP), which involves standing on a board and using a paddle to move on the water. The festival offers various activities and competitions for SUP enthusiasts, such as races, relays, yoga, and fitness. The festival also features live music concerts by local and international bands, DJs, and singers, as well as food and drink stalls, workshops, and exhibitions. The festival is a great way to enjoy the stunning scenery of the lake and the mountains, and to have fun and relax with friends and family.
Carinthian Summer
The Carinthian Summer is a music and culture event held in Carinthia, Austria.It was created in 1969 in Ossiach and has since been held yearly in July and August in Ossiach, since 1972 in Villach, and since 2003 in different locations across Carinthia.
The festival program revolved around master performances, chamber music and orchestral concerts, as well as seminars and symposiums.
The festival’s major venues are the Ossiach Collegiate Church and the Congress Center Villach.Until 2003, all performances took place in Ossiach (collegiate church, baroque hall and knight’s hall of the monastery, monastery courtyard, and on board the motor ship MS Ossiach) and Villach (Congress Center, Bamberg hall of the old Park Hotel, parish church of St. Jakob (Paracelsushof)).The “Carinthian landscape” was enlarged beginning in 2004 with the building of new sites in the neighborhood of Ossiach and Villach ( Domenig Steinhaus, Tiffen mountain chapel, Damtschach Castle).The Alban-Berg-Saal was added to the Ossiach Abbey in 2009.Since 2016, the “Salon Concerts” series has also employed the rooms and gardens of Carinthian families and institutions.
European Bike Week
European Bike Week takes place at Faaker See, Carinthia, Austria.Every year in the beginning of September, up to 40,000 Harley-Davidson motorcyclists and 50,000 aficionados of various brands of two-wheelers gather.
The first motorcycle gathering at Lake Faaker See occurred in 1998, as part of a Harley-Davidson anniversary celebration.The first gathering was attended by 15,000 people.When the event returned the following year, it was renamed European Bike Week.Over the next several years, it developed from a little festival to what is today Europe’s largest rocker and biker event and the world’s third largest event.In the interim, the event has been expanded to 10 days.
Events of many types are available around Lake Faaker See, both in organized “Villages” and in private settings.Since 2002, this has incorporated the Custom Chrome Europe ride-in bike exhibition with stunt show.During the week, there are also concerts.The American band Bon Jovi played in front of 40,000 people during the first Harley-Davidson event in 1998.The Monroes, Kiss cover band Kiss Forever, Rammstein cover band Stahlzeit, and 10cc all played in 2012.
The Harley-Village, which houses the campground and official Harley-Davidson retailers, serves as the focal point of communication.The outlaw scene is also represented during the event.
The yearly highlight is the parade, in which up to 25,000 motorcycles ride together around Lake Faaker See, which has a huge media presence.
