Vienna International Advent Singing
2024 Dates:
28 November - 02 December
05 December - 09 December
12 December - 16 December
19 December - 23 December
Join Choirs from around the world in Vienna at Advent
Festival highlights include:
• Performing in front of large appreciative audiences in the Vienna Town Hall
• Sing at one of Vienna's outdoor Christmas Markets
• Sing at one of Vienna's outdoor Christmas Markets
• Seeing the stunning city of Vienna at Advent
About Vienna International Advent Singing Festival
Vienna is home to the world famous Boys’ Choir and the birthplace of the Waltz King, Johann Strauss II and provides a rich backdrop to your performance of Baroque art and architecture. Take to the stage at the Christkindlmarkt for a truly unforgettable experience. Experience the magic of Advent Season in Vienna – the city where Strauss first presented the Waltz to the world! While in Vienna, listen to and perform for a host of international choirs. Adult choirs may wish to sing for Senior Citizens as part of their Advent Celebration, while student choirs perform at an Austrian school and enjoy a cultural exchange with the Viennese students. Peruse the old world Christmas Market and enjoy traditional Viennese fare on a visit to the Gumpoldskirchen, an 800 year old wine village! We can substitute this evening for youth choirs.
The Vienna International Advent Singing Festival is one of the most traditional choir festivals and is held for choirs from around the world during the Advent season before Christmas. Attending choirs have the possibility to perform in front of an international audiences at four different concert venues: Vienna City Hall, during a church or mass service, Senior Citizen Home and at one of Vienna’s famous outdoor Christmas Markets. The program also includes a guided sightseeing tour in Vienna and an official closing reception where all attending choirs receive a participation diploma.
Performance Information
1) Performance in Festival Hall of the Town Hall of Vienna
Concerts take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Your performance here is 30 minutes.
2) Performance in a senior citizens home / youth institution
During Advent many of Vienna’s senior citizens homes’ organise an ‘Advent Get-Together’ where choirs have the opportunity to sing for approx 45 minutes. This option is available on the Friday afternoon.
During Advent many of Vienna’s senior citizens homes’ organise an ‘Advent Get-Together’ where choirs have the opportunity to sing for approx 45 minutes. This option is available on the Friday afternoon.
3) Performance during a mass/church service
Choirs have the opportunity to sing in one of Vienna’s many churches. 5-6 songs are requested and songs should match the church’s Liturgy.
Choirs have the opportunity to sing in one of Vienna’s many churches. 5-6 songs are requested and songs should match the church’s Liturgy.
4) Open-Air Performance at the at the Christmas Markets at the Schonnbrunn Palace - optional
The performance stage is set in the middle of the Christmas market which take place in front of the Schonnbrunn Palace. Concert performances here should last approx 20-25 minutes.
The performance stage is set in the middle of the Christmas market which take place in front of the Schonnbrunn Palace. Concert performances here should last approx 20-25 minutes.
Please note that three concert performances are included in package price. The fourth performance is an optional extra.
Music: Choir’s own selections for all performance options.
Vienna
In its magnificent setting on the beautiful Danube, Vienna more than lives up to its centuries old tradition of civilised culture. Beautiful buildings of many architectural styles including beautiful palaces, ancient streets, public gardens and street cafes make it one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The city comes alive at Christmas time with Chriskindelmarkt on almost every corner. See the best of the city on our highlights of Vienna city tour finishing at the famous Vienna Christmas Market at the Schönbrunn Castle with a glass of mulled wine and a Christmas pastry. Vienna, one of the most beautiful of Europe's historic and cultural cities, has long been one of the Europe’s most important centres of music and art. You cannot walk for more than a few minutes without stopping to see something which demands admiration. For many, this city is a must-see.
Itinerary:
DAY 1
Meet Your local assistant will greet you at the airport in Vienna for coach transfer to your hotel to check-in. Pending flight time, refresh up and meet your tour assistant an Orientation Walk to the city centre using public transportation. Get your first glimpse of St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its “lace-in-stone” spire – the symbol of Vienna. Admire the beautiful holiday lights strung across the pedestrian streets, smell the scent of roasting chestnuts and stroll along popular shopping streets such as Kärntner Strasse and the Graben, lined with fashionable boutiques, mouth-watering bakeries, and famous Viennese cafés. In no time at all, you will be drawn into a magical world of Vienna at Advent.
Tonight, a welcome dinner is served for your choir in the hotel restaurant
DAY 2
CONCERT IN SENIOR CENTER OR SCHOOL
Begin your day with a guided city tour revealing Vienna’s vast music history. Your expert guide will point out historic buildings along the Ringstrasse, the tree-lined boulevard encircling the center of Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace, City Hall, the Parliament building, the regal Art History and Natural History Museums and the beautiful Staatsoper (Opera House) – most of which were built before 1870. You will also learn about Vienna’s most famous piece of 20th century architecture, the multi-colored Hundertwasser Haus.
Following the tour, join other choirs from across Europe participating in the Advent Sing at a delicious lunch of Austrian specialties at the Rathauskeller Restaurant in Vienna’s City Hall. This afternoon adult choirs perform in local Senior Citizen Centers while youth choirs perform in Viennese schools. After your performance, enjoy time to meet the audience and share season’s greetings.
Begin your day with a guided city tour revealing Vienna’s vast music history. Your expert guide will point out historic buildings along the Ringstrasse, the tree-lined boulevard encircling the center of Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace, City Hall, the Parliament building, the regal Art History and Natural History Museums and the beautiful Staatsoper (Opera House) – most of which were built before 1870. You will also learn about Vienna’s most famous piece of 20th century architecture, the multi-colored Hundertwasser Haus.
Following the tour, join other choirs from across Europe participating in the Advent Sing at a delicious lunch of Austrian specialties at the Rathauskeller Restaurant in Vienna’s City Hall. This afternoon adult choirs perform in local Senior Citizen Centers while youth choirs perform in Viennese schools. After your performance, enjoy time to meet the audience and share season’s greetings.
DAY 3
CONCERT IN THE FESTIVAL HALL OF THE VIENNA CITY HALL
This morning you free for independent sightseeing and may choose to explore the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty. As you move from room to room listening to the audio guide, you will be transported back to the days of the eighteenth-century when Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven called Vienna home.
An a cappella concert on the outdoor stage in front of this spectacular palace and its impressive Christmas tree, or at another pedestrian zone, may be arranged upon request.
Before departing, take time to explore the spectacular Christmas Market in front of the Palace, where local vendors offer an array of Christmas ornaments, local food and drink and a variety of handicrafts.
An a cappella concert on the outdoor stage in front of this spectacular palace and its impressive Christmas tree, or at another pedestrian zone, may be arranged upon request.
Before departing, take time to explore the spectacular Christmas Market in front of the Palace, where local vendors offer an array of Christmas ornaments, local food and drink and a variety of handicrafts.
Alternatively, you may prefer to visit one of Vienna’s outstanding museums, such as the Museum of Art History, Museum of Natural History, or the Belvedere Palace.
This afternoon, your choir performs in the Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall. As you sing, imagine being present in this magnificent room when Strauss first presented the Waltz to the world! Concerts take place before and after your performance so there is ample time to enjoy the music of choirs from different countries.
Tonight, visit an 800-year old wine village, where you will dine on a traditional Austrian “Heurigen” dinner of grilled meats, sauerkraut and bread, served family-style on long wooden tables. A local musician strolling through the restaurant inspires guests to sing along!
This afternoon, your choir performs in the Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall. As you sing, imagine being present in this magnificent room when Strauss first presented the Waltz to the world! Concerts take place before and after your performance so there is ample time to enjoy the music of choirs from different countries.
Tonight, visit an 800-year old wine village, where you will dine on a traditional Austrian “Heurigen” dinner of grilled meats, sauerkraut and bread, served family-style on long wooden tables. A local musician strolling through the restaurant inspires guests to sing along!
DAY 4
After breakfast, we can arrange for your choir to sing at one of the churches of Vienna during a mass or service(optional)
In the afternoon, choirs can enjoy some leisure time or can opt to enjoy an excursion to Mödling, Mayerling and Heiligenkreuz or can choose to perform an open-air concert in one of Vienna Christmas Markets on this day.
This evening, all of the guest choirs meet at the Vienna City Hall for the official Closing Ceremony of the International Advent Sing. After the formalities of the ceremony, join together with all the guest choirs in singing Ode to Joy together. This evening, dinner may be arranged for the choir upon request.
This evening, all of the guest choirs meet at the Vienna City Hall for the official Closing Ceremony of the International Advent Sing. After the formalities of the ceremony, join together with all the guest choirs in singing Ode to Joy together. This evening, dinner may be arranged for the choir upon request.
DAY 5
Choirs depart Vienna
This sample itinerary is for information purposes only. All final itineraries are tailored to individual choirs requirements.
Your festival ground arrangements include the following:
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4-nights hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast in the
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3-course dinner in local restaurant on evening of arrival
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Lunch at restaurant Rathauskeller with all participating choirs
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Group Dinner at Wine tavern in Gumpoldskirchen incl 1 glass of wine
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Half-day sightseeing tour of Vienna (entrance fees payable locally)
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3 performances as included in the festival package:
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Closing ceremony with snacks + sparkling wine
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Certification of participation
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All transfers as required - airport transfers, round trip transfers to the 3 choral performances, transfer to Gumpoldskirchen for evening dinner, transfer to Town Hall for closing ceremony
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English speaking assistant throughout stay
Tour Manager
• A CCI Tour Manager will be assigned to you for the duration of your booking, to assist in the pre-departure preparations and to assist with any issues during your stay. The tour manager does not travel with the group.
Transportation while in Vienna
Choirs usually make their way around the city with the local guide via public transport. However, we can arrange coach transportation for your group as
required.
Flight Options
Once you enquire with CCI you will be given your own dedicated festival planner, and this planner will also assist you with the booking of flights for your group. Choir Contact experienced travel consultants are able to advise you on the most appropriate flight options and will advise best fares at time of booking. We use the most up-to-date modern technology for searching best fares including low cost carriers, allowing us to book you the best flights at the best fares for a fully co-ordinated service. We use both low-cost internet fares and our long-standing relationships with other carries to ensure that we can secure the best travel option for your choir. We will advise you on luggage allowance and all details relating to your flight booking. Travel Insurance CCI recommend that all travellers take out travel insurance at the time of booking.