Innsbruck Events and Festivals
(Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria)
Head to Innsbruck at any time of the year and you can be guaranteed to find plenty of things to do, events to attend and festivals to enjoy. The summer months in Innsbruck see crowds flocking to events such as the Tirol Speed Marathon in late May, the Tanzsommer International Dance Festival in mid-June, and also the Festwochen der Alten Musik (Innsbruck Festival) in August, the city's premier event, held at both the Ambras Palace and Landestheater
The winter months see an array of winter sports arriving at the many holiday resorts surrounding Innsbruck, along with many related winter sports festivals. The best of these include the Hahnnenkamm Race (Alpine Skiing World Cup) in mid-January, and the Igls Bobsleigh Rides in January and February.
Innsbruck Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- New Year's Concert - January 1st, a gala concert on the first day of the New Year, at the Congress Innsbruck, with performances by the much celebrated Tirolean Symphonic Orchestra
- Hahnnenkamm Race - mid-January, Kitzbühel plays host to the Alpine Skiing World Cup, with slalom racing and great winter scenery, just over an hour from Innsbruck
- Igls Bobsleigh Rides - throughout January and February, a unique and memorable opportunity to experience some world-class bobsledding and perhaps the ultimate adrenaline rush
February
- Air and Style Snowboard Contest, early February, a winter highlight in Seefeld, less than 30 minutes from Innsbruck, combining boat skateboarding and also snowboarding, followed by an enormous open-air concert
March
- Osterfestival Tirol (Easter Festival) - mid-March to early April, various concerts and choirs perform at churches and other venues around the city in this precursor to Easter
April
- Maibaumaufstellen der Brauchtumsgruppe - late April / early May, step back in time at the nearby village of Aldrans during this annual celebration, which sees the village partying on the last day of April, and dancing around the Maypole on May 1st
May
- Tirol Speed Marathon - late May / early June, various races see runners from throughout Europe taking to the streets around Innsbruck, watched by crowds of cheering onlookers
June
- Tanzsommer International Dance Festival - mid-June, an established dance event first held in the mid-1990s and now one of the premier events of its kind in the whole of Austria
July
- Frühschoppenkonzert - July to September, free outdoor concerts held in the resort of Igls, each Sunday morning at 11:00, weather permitting
August
- Axamer Dorffest - throughout August, a village festival in the nearby holiday resort of Axams, attracting thousands of visitors each year
- Festwochen der Alten Musik (Innsbruck Festival) - throughout August, one of the city's biggest festivals and well known throughout Europe, with performances based on compositions written between the 14th and 18th centuries
September
- Hiking World Championships - throughout September, a hiking competition in the neighbouring resort of Igls, with glorious Alpine views and some after hours partying
- Alpenländischer Volksmusikwettbewerb (Alpine Folk Music Festival) - throughout September, a chance to enjoy some traditional folk music at its very best, with performances by literally hundreds of different folk musicians and singers, along with parties and plenty of food to go around. This event is run by the Tirol Folk Music Society
October
- Jeunesse Children's Concerts - late October to late November, something for all the family, with various concerts and theatrical performances staged at the Conservatory Music Hall and the Congress venue
November
- Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) - mid-November to mid-December, held at the start of the seasonal celebrations, with a traditional Christmas markets and plenty of street entertainment, even including some puppet shows for the younger visitors. Held around the Herzog Friedrich Strasse and the Landhausplatz
- World Masters der Professionals - late November, a professional dancing event with displays of both ballroom and Latin dancing
December
- Innsbruck Mountain New Year's Eve - December 31st, the largest New Year's Eve event taking place in the city, based in the Old Town's Market Square and seeing crowds of thousands, enjoying the live music, hot snacks and midnight fireworks