When the days get shorter and the city shines with lights, Vienna opens its resounding doors once again: from December 1 to 24, 2025, the 17th Musical Advent Calendar invites you on an extraordinary journey through the districts - from the 1st to the 23rd district, day after day, concert after concert. Under this year's motto "Re/aktion!", the series once again celebrates those moments in which music and encounters become an attitude.
Organized by the Kulturverein d'Akkordeon, under the artistic direction of Lisa Reimitz and Franziska Hatz since 2024, the Musical Advent Calendar has long since become a fixture in Vienna's cultural winter. Away from the kitsch and constant sprinkling of music, it creates a space for subtle nuances, social reflection and Advent solidarity. "We want to make art accessible - without barriers, but with attitude," says Lisa Reimitz. "Re/action means listening to each other - at a time when silence has become precious."
The program is just as diverse as the city itself: AF90 opens the sounding round dance at Porgy & Bess on December 1, followed by musical readings, improvised stage formats, workshops, performances and concerts by artists such as Violetta Parisini, Julia Lacherstorfer, Die Goas, Vereter and the legendary Schmusechor. In addition to the large stages, there are also intimate venues - wine houses, cinemas, churches and studios - spaces that carry stories and enable encounters.
Best off: Christoph Bochdansky & Die Strottern © Thilo Neubacher
The calendar is accompanied by the exhibition "We no shoot - you no shoot" by artist Kalle Aldis Laar, which recalls the Christmas truce of 1914 - a silent act of courage in the midst of war. It is emblematic of the festival motto: reaction as a movement towards each other, as an invitation to seek out what unites us.
And a new chapter is also opening digitally: the podcast "Festival Buero" sheds light on the background to the festival on the days when there are no events - conversations, thoughts and musical reflections, ideal for winter evenings by candlelight.
A tear. A smile. My childhood in Damascus. Zoe Apratko
Whether with wireless headphones at the "Altgassenziaga", at outdoor choir evenings or at the touching reading "So lange es dauert dich auszusprechen" - every evening tells its own story of closeness and resonance. Even on Christmas Eve, the idea remains alive: With the "Tafeln!" project, the Musical Advent Calendar at Caritas Vienna's Haus Kim celebrates the festival of closeness together with residents, musicians and guests - quietly, warmly, humanly.
In this way, Advent in Vienna becomes a sounding calendar of possibilities. Every open day, every note, every word is an invitation not just to listen, but to resonate - with a city that raises its voice even in winter.
December 1 to 24, 2025
www.muad.at
