New Year's Eve in the Old Town of Salzburg
Christmas celebrations end on December 26. However, the Christmas market on the Residenzplatz and Domplatz remains open until January 1. From the 27th, stalls with traditional New Year's symbols appear on the streets of the city.
Since all the presents have already been given on St. Nicholas' Day and Christmas, it is customary in Austria to give a symbolic gift for the New Year: plush or marzipan piglets, chimney sweeps or shamrock clovers. From Blacksmiths who have opened their workshops in the old town, visitors can order a lucky horseshoe engraved with good wishes.
At noon on December 31, the preparations for New Year's Eve (called in Austria Silvester) are completed. A stage is set up on the Residenzplatz, and street traders sell various delicacies of Austrian cuisine such as Viennese Schnitzel, which is put into bread, potato doughnuts, baked apples, spicy Bosna sausage, sausage with cheese Käsekrainer, sweet Kaiserschmarrn with apple mousse, and much more. A wide variety of hot and cold beverages are available, including sparkling and mulled wine, punch, liqueurs, schnapps and strong bock beer. The food tents are open until 00:30 on New Year's Eve.
The entertainment program starts at 14:00 on the Residence Square. Musicians on stage perform vibrant music across various genres, from jazz to folk. In the late afternoon, animators teach children and adults how to dance, and a famous DJ creates a festive atmosphere with hits from the 80s and 90s. The main New Year's Eve concert begins at 21:00. One of the local modern bands performs famous covers of legendary rock and pop artists. You can also wait for the New Year while skating on the Mozart Ice Magic Rink.
At 23:55, the bells of the cathedral begin to ring majestically and the melodies of the Strauss waltz can be heard from the fortress. The highlight of the New Year Party is a magnificent fireworks display. The best places to watch them are Kapitelplatz, Domplatz, near the Festival Houses or from the banks of the Salzach River. You can also hike on one of the city's hills (Mönchsberg or Kapuzinerberg) or the Hohensalzburg Fortress, from where the city fireworks are perfectly visible.
The city authorities prohibit private fireworks and firecrackers. This makes New Year's Eve much more enjoyable, in my opinion. Although the rules are often broken.
After the meeting of the New Year, the party continues on the Residenzplatz until 01:00 in the morning. Those seeking more fun can continue the night at one of the many pubs downtown.
Restaurants on New Year's Eve offer complex dinners with various concert programs. A dinner with a musical program costs about 200-300 euros per person. Every public transportation bus line on New Year's Eve runs every 20 minutes until morning. THE RIDE IS FREE!
On the morning of January 1, relaxing classical music is played in the city center. Stands with drinks and food are open from 10:00. From 12:00 to 15:00, a DJ entertains visitors with modern music from the stage on the Residence Square, and animators give dance lessons.
Working days start on January 2. January 6 - Epiphany is the last holiday, which ends the series of holidays until Easter.
Read more: Christmas in Salzburg, Public Holidays in Austria, Saint Nicholas and Krampus Traditions, Public Transport in Salzburg
