Our top events

Lei Lei from Villach - the most Carnivalesque town in Austria! Where it is not only all happening on Carnival Saturday, but where the jesters have their say from 11.11.!

The traditional festival Villacher Kirchtag is known far beyond the borders of Carinthia. The Kirchtag week takes place around the first Saturday in August. Villach's old town is transformed into a huge festival mile and welcomes guests from all over the world to this boundless folk festival .

The Carinthian Summer is an international festival for music, literature and discourse in Carinthia. The festival stands for cosmopolitanism, cultural diversity and intellectual curiosity. It offers culture at the highest level and is accessible to all visitors.

The European Bike Week is one of the most famous motorcycle meetings in the world and takes place every year in September - free of charge and open to everyone. It is an absolute highlight, especially for Harley-Davidson fans!

Heidi and Jean Luc Lenoble have been organising the largest and probably one of the most popular craft markets in Austria for more than 30 years. With participants from 10 countries, around 130 exhibitors and more than 40,000 visitors a year, the craft market in Ossiach is also one of the most important markets in Austria. Rating: Well worth seeing!

Carinthia´s beef farmers invite you to the annual Carinthian Beef Festival; a fixture for culinary gourmets, where thousands of visitors enjoy the taste of excellent Carinthian Beef specialities. At the Ossiacher Tauern Estate, visitors can experience a variety of delicacies, from the traditional ’Tafelspitz’ (a boiled beef dish) to a grilled steak.

Look around, indulge and shop - at the weekly farmers' market right by the Lake Faaker See. You shouldn't miss out on this popular meeting place for young and old! Situated in the centre of the market area in the village of Faak am See, thousands of guests and locals flock to the market every Thursday in summer.

The old town of Villach offers a very special atmosphere at Christmas time, when the church tower of the parish church (Stadtpfarrkirche) shines like a lit candle above the rooftops. People meet at the lovely decorated huts, enjoy the culinary delights, the wonderful light decorations and fall into Christmas anticipation with the smell of cookies. While the children have fun on the ice rink at the town hall square (Rathausplatz), the market stands offers a large selection of handmade gifts. This is the Advent season in Villach - the city of light!

Im Einklang mit der Natur sein, ein atemberaubendes Panorama erleben und die drei Länder Österreich, Italien und Slowenien in einer Sekunde besuchen. Klingt unmöglich? All das kann beim einzigartigen DreiländerATTeck Berglauf und Nordic Walking am Dreiländereck erlebt werden.

A Fountain Show with unique images, colours and musical framework – this is the Draupuls in Villach. Variety is provided by a lively programme of different themes, for example, ‘Classix’ or ‘Rock-it’. The best view is guaranteed from the waterside of the river Drau near the Congress Center Villach.

The first signs of the warm season become visible, nature awakens from its winter slumber - it's "easter" in Villach. Every year from the Thursday before Palm Sunday (Palmsonntag) to Holy Saturday (Karsamstag), the traditional Easter market takes place. Lingering in the city center becomes a springtime experience. A colourful mix of all kinds of goods and delicacies - in addition to traditional Easter goods such as decorative Easter candles, there are also farm products such as Easter ham, Reindling & Krainer.

You can explore all around Lake Ossiacher See on your bike, skateboard, roller skaters or on foot, all day long. The entire route is off-limits to motorised vehicles. The 27 km route is one-way, all around the lake, in a clockwise direction. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, you can take the ship, Ossiacher See Schifffahrt, from one town to another.

Exciting SUP competitions and an extensive supporting programme with live music await you every year in May at The Lake Rocks Festival with the SUP Alps Trophy on Lake Faaker See.

When thousands of lights illuminate the romantic alleyways of Villach's old town, there is a very special magic in the air. The festively decorated town center shines in a warm glow and creates an atmospheric ambience that delights young and old alike. While the adults sample regional delicacies at the food stands and get in the mood for the new year, there is a special highlight for the youngest visitors: the popular ice skating rink right in front of the town hall (Rathausplatz).