Vienna  Musikverein Concerts

Golden Hall or Brahms Hall?

Both halls are in the same building and share the entrance on Musikvereinsplatz. The choice is mostly about atmosphere and price, not about quality.

Golden Hall

The famous gilded shoebox hall with the caryatids and the coffered ceiling. Choose it if you want the New Year's Concert setting, a full orchestra sound and photos that look like the postcard.

Brahms Hall

A smaller, equally ornate hall with about 600 seats. You sit closer to the musicians, the sound is more intimate and the lower categories are usually cheaper for a comparable view.

Same programme, two rooms

The Vienna Mozart Orchestra and Classic Exclusive both play in either hall depending on the date. If your travel dates are fixed, let the calendar decide; if not, pick the hall first.

Seat categories explained

Each concert sells four to five categories. The names differ by organizer (Superior, A, B, C or Category 1 to 5), but the logic is the same in both halls.

Top category

Front and centre stalls (parterre). The closest view of the soloists and the most expensive seats.

Middle categories

Rear and side stalls and the centre of the balcony. In the Golden Hall the middle of the parterre and the centre balcony are where the sound is most balanced; many regulars prefer them to the front rows.

Lowest category with a stage view

Balcony sides and the back rows. Good sound and a side view of the stage; clearly the best value if you mainly want to hear the hall.

Restricted view and standing

Some dates offer a fifth category behind pillars, in the balcony over the stage or as standing room. Cheap, but only book it if you know what you are getting.

Which Musikverein concert should you book?

Vienna Mozart Orchestra

Costumes and wigs, overtures, arias and duets from Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, then Strauss waltzes and the Radetzky March as encores. Starts at 20:15, about 1 hour 45 minutes with an interval. The entertaining first choice for a first visit or a family evening.

Classic Exclusive

Die SchlossCapelle and Camerata Classica play complete symphonies: Mozart's No. 40 and "Jupiter", Haydn's "Farewell", Beethoven's Fifth, Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Starts at 20:00, about two hours with an interval, doors 19:30. The better pick if you want a classical concert rather than a show.

Looking for the Vienna Philharmonic?

The Philharmonic's own subscription concerts and the New Year's Concert are sold only by the Vienna Philharmonic and the Musikverein. The concerts on this page are by independent orchestras that perform in the same halls.

Practical tips for your visit

Getting there

Musikvereinsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, directly behind Karlsplatz station (U1, U2, U4) and a five-minute walk from the State Opera.

Arrival

Vienna Mozart Orchestra: your e-tickets arrive by email with the booking confirmation; show them on your phone at the entrance. Classic Exclusive: collect your tickets at the Musikverein evening box office from one hour before the concert. Hall admission usually begins 30 minutes before the start.

Dress code

There is no formal dress code. Smart casual is common and evening wear is welcome; jeans and sneakers are not a problem.

Cloakroom and programmes

The cloakroom charges a small fee. Programme booklets are sold before the performance.

Accessibility

The Musikverein has a step-free entrance, lifts, accessible toilets and wheelchair spaces. Wheelchair spaces must be arranged in advance; contact us after booking and we will organize it with the organizer.

Children

Every guest needs a ticket. Children under five are not admitted; minors and students usually get a reduced price, shown in the booking step.