Fasching in Austria 2024

Fasching, known by various names such as Karneval and Fastnacht in German-speaking countries, is a vibrant Carnival celebration typically held before Lent. In Austria, Fasching festivities begin on Epiphany (January 6) and continue until Ash Wednesday. The most iconic celebrations occur from Shrove Saturday to Ash Wednesday, with highlights including Faschingssonntag, Rosenmontag, and Faschingsdienstag (Mardi Gras). Lively parades, costume parties, and processions mark these days. The season is a time of festivity, signaling the final opportunity to indulge before the austerity of Lent begins.

Schedule

Fasching begins every year on November 11 at 11:11 am and ends on Carnival Tuesday (Faschingsdienstag), the day before Ash Wednesday. While it officially starts in November, the major celebrations occur in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, with the peak events taking place on Faschingssonntag and Rosenmontag. In 2025, Carnival Saturday falls on March 1. The dates vary annually due to their alignment with Easter.

Best places to experience Fasching in Austria

The top locations to experience the Austrian carnival season include Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Upper Austria (Ebensee, Mattighofen), Tyrol (Axamer, Thaur), Styria (Graz), Carinthia (Villach), and Burgenland.

Villach Carnival (November 2024–February 2025)

In 2025, Villach will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its Fasching festival with lively parades, parties, and unique events. The season kicks off with the Royal Couple presentation on November 9, 2024, followed by a vibrant Fasching season leading up to Carnival Saturday, the grand highlight of the festival. Visitors can enjoy traditional treats like apricot-filled "Krapfen," watch hilarious comedy shows at the Congress Center, and cheer during the colorful Fasching parade. Villach’s Fasching, with its distinct "Lei Lei!" shout, is a must-see celebration of fun, costumes, and culture.

Carnival season in Salzburg (January–February 2025)

Salzburg starts its celebrations already in late January with a flamboyant Carnival Party, which is free to the public. The main events take place on the final days of the Fasching season. Maxglaner Carnival Parade traditionally takes to the streets on Saturday afternoon, starting from Siezenheimerstraße and finishing at Bräuhausstraße. The climax of the action is expected on Shrove Tuesday evening at Faschingskehraus mit Prinzenverbrennung with music and dancing.

Carnival Parades in Tyrol

In Tyrol, carnival traditions are deeply rooted in local culture, with unique customs like throwing glowing logs from hills on Carnival Sunday. The region offers vibrant Shrovetide celebrations, including both annual parades and others held less frequently, such as Nassereith Schellerlaufen, Fiss Blochziehen, and Telfs Schleicherlaufen. Villages like Mils, Rum, Absam, and Thaur also maintain annual parades, ensuring a year-round celebration of Tyrolean culture.

The Telfs Schleicherlaufen (February 2, 2025)

The Telfs Schleicherlaufen, next happening on February 2, 2025, is particularly notable as it occurs every five years and features "Schleicher" participants wearing elaborate hats over one meter tall and weighing up to 8 kilos. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010, this event showcases a long-standing tradition.

Patscher Schellenschlagerinnen (January 20–March 4, 2025)

The Patscher Schellenschlagerinnen is a distinctive women-only carnival celebration held annually on the last Thursday of the carnival season, also known as "Crazy Thursday." This unique event takes place in the village of Patsch, Tyrol, and was added to UNESCO's Cultural Heritage List in 2022. The celebration highlights the role of women in Tyrolean carnival traditions, with participants wearing traditional costumes and performing rituals that include the ringing of bells.

Faschingskrapfen

The Viennese Faschingskrapfen, a popular treat during the carnival season, is a doughnut filled with apricot jam and dusted with powdered sugar. Its origin is linked to an accidental creation by Cäcilie Krapf, a court cook who reportedly dropped dough for bread rolls into hot lard, thus inventing the doughnut. Every year, Austrians consume over 100 million of these pastries during Fasching. While there's no strict way to eat them, be cautious of inhaling too deeply, as the powdered sugar can end up all over your face!

Origins of Fasching

Originally, Carnival and Shrove Tuesday were seen as days of spiritual preparation for Ash Wednesday, often marked by confessional rituals or forty-hour prayers. Over time, these practices evolved into vibrant celebrations, including parades and costumes, making the carnival season a festive "fifth season" in many places. The tradition of wearing costumes traces back to ancient times when people donned special attire to honor the gods.