Concerts in the Hofburg Vienna
of the Vienna Hofburg Orchester

The Vienna Hofburg Orchestra was founded in 1971 and has since then played classical concerts in the most beautiful and prestigious music venues in Vienna. Among them the magnificent halls of the Hofburg, the Musikverein and the Vienna State Opera.
In 1980 the orchestra’s first New Year’s concert took place in the Festsaal (festival hall) of the Hofburg Vienna.

Between May and October the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra presents its Strauss & Mozart concerts in the ceremonial hall. The traditional Christmas concerts on December 25th and 26th take place in the Festsaal (festival hall) of the Hofburg.

The Hofburg was the residence of the Habsburgs in Vienna from the 13th century until the end of Austrias monarchy. It is the largest building complex in Europe that was not built for religious purposes.

Festsaal (festival hall)

The large Festsaal (festival hall) was designed as a new throne room. Construction began under Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1908 and was completed in 1923.

The impressive ceiling paintings by the painter Schramm show the motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I. “Viribus Unitis” (With united forces) and the enthroned power of Austria.
They are surrounded by allegorical representations of religion, justice, bravery, science, art and agriculture.

The 15 lunettes by Veith show important rulers of the Habsburgs. In other octogen fields by the painter Stauffer you can see the general Karl v. Lorraine, King of Poland Johann Sobieski, Field Marshal Prince Eugene of Savoy, State Chancellor Prince Kaunitz and Prince Metternich.

The Festsaal is the largest hall in the Hofburg with almost 1.000 m2.

Zeremoniensaal (ceremonial hall)

The Zeremoniensaal (ceremonial hall) was built in the classical style from 1802 to 1806 under Emperor Franz I by the court architect Ludwig Montoyer. It was the throne room of the Hofburg until the end of the monarchy.

The magnificent cassette ceiling is carried by 24 round columns made of artificial marble, the so-called “stucco lustro”, which was in vogue at the time.

In 1810 Napoleon I chose the Ceremonial Hall for his courtship and to ask Emperor Franz I for the hand of his daughter Archduchess Marie Louise.

Until the end of monarchy in 1918, the Hall served as the throne room where Emperor Franz I gave knighthood to many Peers. Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830 – 1916) and his wife Elisabeth held annual symbolic foot washing ceremonies and washed the feet of 24 old men and women. This ritual was to honor the peoples’ religious customs and the reigning couple saw it as their personal matter of care.

The Zeremoniensaal (ceremonial hall) also accommodated court concerts and balls. Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth held grand gala evenings such as the “Ball bei Hof “(Court Ball) to which only the Royal Household and high aristocracy were admitted.

Wiener Hofburg - Eingang Michaeler Platz
Useful Informations

History of the Hofburg Vienna

The Hofburg Vienna is the former imperial residence of the Habsburgs, which had an important role in Austria’s and Europe’s history. The entire building complex of the Hofburg was built between the 13th and 19th century.

The building activity, which lasted for six centuries, had a strong impact on the appearance of the building. All architectural styles from Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to the classicism of the Wilhelminian era can be recognized in various parts of the Hofburg.

Up until 1918 the Hofburg was the residence of the Habsburgs who controlled the fate of Austrian and European history here from the 13th century. Almost every regent had parts added, redesigned or newly furnished for himself and his family.

Starting from a medieval, fortified castle, a monumental government building grew over the centuries on an area of ​​approx. 24 hectares. Its core, the old castle, has been preserved to this day.

The Vienna Hofburg today consists of 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms. If you also include the museums, the old stables and the Volksgarten, you get a total area of ​​approx. 50 hectares.

Around 5000 people still live or work here and around 20 million people visit the Hofburg in Vienna every year.

How is the Hofburg used today?

Today the Hofburg in Vienna serves as the official seat of the President of Austria.

The buildings also house various museums, most of the Austrian National Library and the Federal Monuments Office. Hundreds of events take place in the premises of the Hofburg every year. From congresses, meetings and trade fairs to balls, banquets and concerts.

The Vienna Hofburg Orchestra has played regularly in the magnificent halls of the Hofburg since 1971. Its declared aim is to cultivate Viennese waltz and operetta music and make it accessible to the world

What can you visit in the Hofburg?

There are a number of museums in the Hofburg area.
The most popular are the Sissi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, the Silver Collection and the Imperial Treasury. Also part of Hofburg are the famous Spanish Riding School and the Albertina, which houses one of the most important graphic collections in the world.

In addition, a walk from Heldenplatz with its two gigantic equestrian statues via the Amalienburg and the monument to Emperor Franz I to Michaelerplatz will be worth your while.

There are also two free publicly accessible parks with restaurants for relaxation. To the southeast of Heldenplatz lies the Burggarten, known for its palm house, the “Palmenhaus”.
To the northeast of Heldenplatz you will find the Volksgarten with the Sissi monument and the rose garden.

If you visit a concert by the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra, you will also have the opportunity to admire the magnificent Zeremoniensaal (ceremonial hall) or Festsaal (festival hall). These halls are usually not open for the public.

How do I get to the Hofburg?

The best way to get to the Hofburg is by underground or tram.
The next station is “Volkstheater”, exit “Heldenplatz”. The underground lines U2 and U3, as well as the tram and bus lines 1, 2, D and 71 arrive here.
From this station you will walk 500m across Heldenplatz to the main entrance of the Vienna Hofburg.

If you arrive by car, there is a paid parking garage at the Museumsquartier at Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna.
From there you can reach the Hofburg after approx. 800m.

The main entrance of the Vienna Hofburg is located directly on Heldenplatz next to the Austrian National Library.

In rare cases, admission to the concerts in the Hofburg takes place via the ambassadorial stairs. These are located approx. 200m on the other side of the Hofburg and is also barrier-free.

Viennese taxis/cabs can be found at stands throughout the city or under the following telephone numbers: +43 1 31 300; +43 1 60 160; +43 1 40 100.

Wiener Hofburg Orchester klassische Konzerte Wien

Concert dates in the Hofburg

of the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra

Here you will find all concert dates of the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra that take place in the Hofburg Vienna.

May 2024

Date/Time Event
02.05.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
04.05.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
09.05.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
11.05.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


June 2024

Date/Time Event
08.06.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
11.06.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
13.06.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
15.06.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
22.06.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
29.06.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


July 2024

Date/Time Event
06.07.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
09.07.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
30.07.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


August 2024

Date/Time Event
01.08.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
03.08.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
20.08.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
22.08.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
31.08.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


September 2024

Date/Time Event
14.09.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


October 2024

Date/Time Event
12.10.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Strauss & Mozart Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


December 2024

Date/Time Event
25.12.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Christmas Concert in the Hofburg Vienna
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
26.12.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Christmas Concert in the Hofburg Vienna
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
27.12.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Christmas Concert in the Hofburg Vienna
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
28.12.2024
20:30 - 22:00
Christmas Concert in the Hofburg Vienna
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien


January 2025

Date/Time Event
01.01.2025
11:00 - 12:30
New Year's Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien
01.01.2025
18:00 - 19:30
New Year's Concert
Hofburg Vienna – Festival Hall, Wien