Even though Halloween is not an Austrian holiday, its popularity is growing every year. There are dozens of exciting and scary parties, which you can find in the city. Vienna has plenty of spooky legends and characters of its own, and Austrians love to dress up for fun, so don't be surprised if you meet crowds of zombies and vampires in Vienna's party areas and clubs.
Halloween Celebration in Prater
One of the best places to celebrate Halloween is Vienna's oldest and most favorite amusement park Prater located in Leopoldstadt, the city's 2nd district. Every year on the days leading up to Halloween, zombies, mummies, vampires, and other creepy creatures take over the park. Visitors can hear some scary legends from professional storytellers, try on some seriously frightening make-up, take part in the Halloween parade, and watch the Burning Calafati Fire Show.
Halloween Rides
Vienna's biggest Halloween party attracts hundreds of witches, living dead, vampires, and ghouls. A giant Ferris wheel will give you a perfect view of the park decorated for Halloween. The ride lasts around 10–15 minutes. The park has several spooky attractions which will make your blood run cold. Experience the terror of clowns at The Clown virtual reality ride, or dive into the eerie tunnels of Skull Rock. The Zum Roten Adler train will take you back into the time of witches and the Middle Ages. One of the oldest scary attractions, the Geisterschloss Castle, is haunted by ghosts and ghouls of the past. Grosse Geisterbahn and Hotel Bahn are easily two of the largest spooky rides at the Prater, with monsters lurking at each corner.
The Ghost Train
A regular attraction at Prater's Halloween celebration, the Ghost Train draws in hundreds of brave visitors each year. The Liliputbahn, the signature landmark of the park, turns into a spooky and creaky train, which passes through the depths of Dracula's forest. The main characters of the journey are Otilia and Poldi. The ride is suitable for children accompanied by adults.
Other Attraction
The Luftburg castles transform into a land of witches and magicians during Halloween, with many child-friendly attractions. The children's Halloween program normally runs on October 29th-30th in Prater. Usually, at about 3 pm, there is a zombie walk, followed by The Halloween Parade with colorful floats and costumes at 6 pm. The best-dressed guests will get special prizes. You can also try out pumpkin carving, stop by the party at the Prater Alm, or even participate in the costume contest at the Prater DOME. Halloween at Prater is a perfect scary and fun experience for locals and tourists alike.
Schedule & Hours
While the grounds of the park are open year-round, the attractions have different opening hours. During the park's peak season, from mid-March until late October, the attractions generally operate from 11 am until 1 am, with some rides opening as early as 9 am and others opening later at 12 pm.
Admission & Cost
Admission to the park is free, but the rides are subject to a fee. The spooky attractions, such as Jack the Ripper, Hotel Psycho, and Skull Rock, cost €6 to ride. Zum Roten Adler costs €4.50 for adults and €3.50 for children under 12, while The Clown costs €5 per person. Grosse Geisterbahn costs €4 per person, and Geisterschloss costs €3.50 for adults and €2.50 for children under 12. Some rides are only accessible to children over 8, 10, or 12 years old, so it's important to check before your visit.
