Culture in Upper Austria
Upper Austria is a land of culture full of unique experiences. Here, everyone is culture. And the whole country is a stage. For festivals, music and theatre. For crafts and design, museums and galleries. For architecture and history. In Upper Austria. And everyone comes and joins in. You too?
CULTURE IT'S ALL OF US!
The film
Exploring Upper Austria’s diverse cultural offerings
Upper Austria’s culture boasts many facets. Immerse yourself in unforgettable concerts against the backdrop of magnificent cathedrals or castles. Attend vibrant festivals and intriguing museums. Peer through the windows of time at our castles and palaces. Be amazed by the impressive contemporary architecture and let yourself be inspired by technological innovation and exquisite craftsmanship. All this and much more awaits you.
There’s room for everyone on the stages and in the concert halls of Upper Austria: operas, operettas and musicals, classical and modern theatre, concerts ranging from classical to rock, pop and punk. Whether in the Salzkammergut region, along the Danube, in castle courtyards or in arcades — Upper Austria’s most beautiful places become stages for festivals and events.
Who made Upper Austria the province we cherish and admire today? The first miners in Hallstatt 7,000 years ago. The Romans who built roads and cities. Monks and nuns in monasteries. The “Black Counts” of the hammer mills. The linen weavers in the Mühlviertel region and the farmers in their four-sided courtyard farms.
Upper Austria is an industrial powerhouse. From the forges along the Enns and Steyr rivers to the brew kettles of the salines, the region’s industrial prowess extends to high-tech steel production in Linz. Upper Austria also serves as an experimental ground for architecture and design, seamlessly merging functionality and aesthetics.
Traditional craftsmanship is the foundation. On this solid base, creative minds think further, and skilful hands continue to create innovative designs from Upper Austria. Brilliant new experiences can be made while watching over their shoulders or giving it a try yourself.
Many renowned contemporary artists hail from Upper Austria. This scene inspires collectors, museums and art enthusiasts. Upper Austria is an international hotspot for media art with the Ars Electronica Festival, and Linz is a “UNESCO City of Media Arts.”
The traditions that accompany us around Christmas and the New Year are deeply ingrained. From crafting nativity scenes to participating in the ‘Glöcklerlauf’ runs, from celebrating forest-themed Christmas events to experiencing the Advent at a castle, from the Steyr Christkindl to the candle-making in Linz.
Upper Austria is the home of Anton Bruckner. Born in Ansfelden in 1824, he was nurtured and trained at St Florian Monastery before becoming a celebrated improviser on the organ in Linz and a composer with a distinctive musical language.
For the first time in history, the European Capital of Culture 2024 took place in an inner-Alpine, rural region. Together with 22 other municipalities, the banner city of Bad Ischl developed a cultural region that is reinventing itself through the interplay of art, culture, business and tourism.
Immerse yourself in fantastic cultural events, from magnificent concerts and festivals to unforgettable opera performances.
Success stories from Upper Austria
Upper Austria is home to 1.5 million cultural ambassadors. Culture – it’s all of them. Known beyond borders, they include people like Parov Stelar, the pioneer of electro-swing, singer-songwriter Ina Regen and the Bruckner Orchestra Linz. Then there are the St. Florian Boys’ Choir, young musical ambassadors of Upper Austria, travelling the world. Hundreds and thousands of them actively participate in 478 music bands, countless cultural initiatives and various associations. They collectively shape Upper Austria into this magnificent cultural cosmos, well worth experiencing and discovering.
Blueprinting is a rare craft that is alive and well in the Mühlviertel. About ideas that give fresh impetus to an old profession. And about people who "make blue" in hectic times.
Gerhard Haderer is the most important caricaturist in the German-speaking world. His persifages appear in renowned newspapers. The heart of the eternally young at heart beats for Linz.
Worn on festive occasions, the Goldhaube has been part of traditional costume culture since the Biedermeier period. And symbolises the social commitment of its wearers.
He is regarded as the inventor of electroswing and was the first Austrian after Falco to land a deal with a US label. His "Booty Swing" has been downloaded millions of times.
In their sailor suits, the St. Florian Boys' Choir laughs from CD and DVD covers. They inspire the world with choral singing at the highest level.
The Bruckner Orchestra Linz is in the front row when its namesake turns 200 years old. The musicians and their chief conductor Markus Poschner know what makes Bruckner's music so exciting.
From the background singer to a celebrated solo artist. The Upper Austrian talks about the local cultural scene, the attraction of the stage and places of power at Mondsee.
The Linz native with Bosnian roots is one of the biggest international TikTok stars thanks to his hit "Helicopter". Fazlija is Upper Austria's International Cultural Ambassador 2024!
Discover the culture of Upper Austria with professional guides
The best way to discover the most beautiful cities and cultural assets of Upper Austria is in the company of a professional Austria Guide. The state-certified city and tourist guides know the region like the back of their hand and accompany those interested in culture to very special cultural treasures. You will also learn a lot of background information and connections from them, as well as anecdotes to make you smile and some secrets that you won't find in any travel guide.
A four-day journey into the Middle Ages, with culture and culinary delights in the brewing adventure town of Freistadt in the Mühlviertel hills.
Short version of the journey through listening and experience spaces, from bathroom to church to mountain pasture.
Whether operetta, opera or musical, experience Bad Hall's festival up close and relax all round.
A journey in seven stages, from the bathroom via church, mountain pasture and stone desert to everyday life.
Tips for Sisi fans
Former Empress Elisabeth of Austria, fondly nicknamed Sisi, still has many fans. Perhaps you’re one of those whose heart just melts when the trilogy of Sisi films starring Romy Schneider is shown on TV? If you are, you absolutely must visit Bad Ischl. This charming little town was Empress Elisabeth’s favourite summer retreat and the secret capital of the Habsburg or Danube monarchy. Here are our top tips for Sissi fans, ranging from film locations like the Kaiservilla and the Marmorschlössl to the confectioner to the Imperial and Royal Court and the Kaiserfest.