New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic
Arguably the most famous concert in the world is broadcast to 50 million viewers in more than 90 countries. Being there in Vienna on the day calls for a little luck because the tickets for each year's concert are drawn on the website of the Vienna Philharmonic due to the huge demand. Another potential option is Stephansplatz – one of the stops on the New Year’s Eve Trail – where there will be a live open-air broadcast. The live broadcast from the Vienna Music Society on Riesenradplatz in the Prater also starts on 1 January at 11:15 am.
Fascinating Strauss sounds
The New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic combines the best of the best: The joyful and lively, but at times also contemplative music program with works by the Strauss dynasty and their contemporaries will ensure a good start to the new year. The most Viennese music ever written is performed, from the waltz to the polka, interpreted with artistically value.
2025 is a special year: the whole of Vienna will be celebrating the 200th birthday of the Waltz King Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) with exhibitions, concerts, balls and various other events.
One item on the program of the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert is a permanent fixture: Strauss’ masterpiece, the Danube Waltz, has already achieved cult status. The solo horn player plays the first bars of a myth. In keeping with tradition, the performance is interrupted right at the beginning and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra calls out its greeting “Prosit Neujahr!”.
Eight pieces by the anniversary composer Johann Strauss Sohn have also been scheduled for 2025. The Vienna Philharmonic performed a piece by a female composer for the first time at the New Year’s Concert: the Ferdinandus Waltz, composed by Strauss’ contemporary Constanze Geiger (1835-1890). Here is the full program for 2025:
- Johann Strauss I: Freiheits-Marsch, op. 226
- Josef Strauss: Dorfschwalben aus Österreich, waltz, op. 164
- Johann Strauss: Demolirer-Polka, Polka française, op. 269
- Johann Strauss: Lagunen-Walzer, op. 411
- Eduard Strauss: Luftig und duftig, Polka schnell, op. 206
- Johann Strauss: Overture to the operetta “Der Zigeunerbaron”
- Johann Strauss: Accelerationen, Walzer, op. 234
- Joseph Hellmesberger: Fidele Brüder, march from “Das Veilchenmädel”
- Constanze Geiger: Ferdinandus-Walzer (Arrangement: Wolfgang Dörner)
- Johann Strauss: Entweder – oder! Polka schnell, op. 403
- Josef Strauss: Transactionen, Walzer, op. 184
- Johann Strauss: Annen-Polka, op. 117
- Johann Strauss: Tritsch-Tratsch, Polka schnell, op. 214
- Johann Strauss: Wein, Weib und Gesang, Walzer, op. 333
Ballet in three-four time
The highlights of the New Year’s Concert include outstanding dance performances by the Vienna State Ballet in costumes created by leading contemporary designers, filmed in enchanting locations such as palaces and imperial gardens.
Musical ambassadors of Austria
The musicians play right at the top of the league of leading international orchestras - they are the Vienna Philharmonic. The conductors are also amongst the best in the world. The orchestra is conducted by somebody different every year. Guest conductors have included Mariss Jansons (2016), Gustavo Dudamel (2017), Andris Nelsons (2020), Daniel Barenboim (2022), Franz Welser-Möst (2023), Christian Thielemann (2024) and Riccardo Muti (2025).
On the podium in 2026: the Canadian Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a representative of the younger generation of conductors. He combines the genres that make up the musical language of the Vienna Philharmonic as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and as Principal Conductor of major international orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra. This will be his first time conducting the New Year’s Concert, but his relationship with the Vienna Philharmonic began back in 2010. The 2023 Summer Night Concert under his musical direction was a particular highlight.
From the Golden Hall
The New Year's Concert is held in the Musikverein, the center of classical music for music fans in Vienna. The Grand Hall is also called the Golden Hall. It is considered to be not only one of the most beautiful halls in the world, but also one of the best in terms of acoustics. For the New Year's Concert, the hall, which is built in the historical style based on the model of antiquity, is decorated with wonderful flower arrangements. Columns, caryatids and gable reliefs create the impression that a temple of music has been created here.
New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic
Annually on 1 January
Start: 11.15 am
Broadcast live on ORF2 and on Ö1 as well as in over 90 countries worldwide
Program, information: www.wienerphilharmoniker.at
Musikverein
1010 Vienna
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Opening times
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The Box Office is open 9am-7pm (Monday-Friday) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
For all concerts organised by the Musikverein the Box Office opens one hour before the beginning of the performance (also on Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays).
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Accessibility
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Main entrance
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no steps
via ramp, automatic sliding door (opens with button from the outside) - Ramp 164 cm wide
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no steps
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Elevator available
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Further information
- Seeing eye dogs allowed
- Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
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Comments
Ring the bell by the entrance to the concert box office (Bösendorferstr. 12); the box office staff will come to assist with ticket purchases at the door.
Wheelchair-accessible elevator: to all floors. Brahms Hall: 6 wheelchair seats. Grand Hall: 2 wheelchair seats in orchestra, about 16 in balcony. Glass Hall/Magna Auditorium: 4 wheelchair seats.Visit with seeing eye dog: please give notice in advance.
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Main entrance
