Kerkconcerten  in Wenen

What to expect at a Vienna church concert

A church concert is a chamber concert: usually a string quartet or small string ensemble, no amplification and no conductor. The baroque interior does the rest. The acoustics are warm and direct, and every seat is close to the stage, so there is no need to pay extra for a front row.

Programme

Complete works rather than highlights: Mozart's string quartets, Haydn, Beethoven's Razumovsky quartets, Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" or Mendelssohn. The programme rotates by date, and the event page shows the combination for the day you choose.

Length

About 70 minutes without an interval. You are out by 21:15, early enough for a late dinner in the first district.

Seating

You sit in the pews. Seats are usually in a single price category, so the earlier you arrive, the better your view.

Comfort

St. Anne's Church is heated in the colder months. A light layer is still a good idea in winter, as in every historic building.

How to choose the right church concert

Vienna has several churches with regular concerts. Use these four questions to pick the right evening for your trip.

Location

Annakirche sits between Kärntner Strasse and the State Opera, so it fits easily between sightseeing and dinner. Karlskirche is a ten-minute walk further south, St. Peter's and St. Stephen's are on and near the Graben.

Music

Choose a string ensemble (Annakirche) if you want Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert played as complete works. Choose Karlskirche if you specifically want Vivaldi's Four Seasons, or St. Peter's for organ music.

Time

Most church concerts start between 19:30 and 20:30 and last 60 to 90 minutes. Organ recitals at St. Peter's are usually in the afternoon.

Budget

Church concerts are the most affordable classical evening in the city centre. Because there is normally one price category, you do not have to study a seating plan.

Vienna's concert churches at a glance

We currently sell tickets for the concerts in St. Anne's Church. The other churches are listed so you can compare and plan; when we add their concerts, they will appear in the list at the top of this page.

St. Anne's Church (Annakirche)

Baroque church with ceiling frescoes by Daniel Gran, Annagasse 3B, 1010. Chamber concerts on period instruments, 20:00, about 70 minutes.

Karlskirche

Fischer von Erlach's baroque landmark on Karlsplatz. Known for Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Mozart's Requiem played on period instruments.

St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche)

Round baroque church just off the Graben. Best known for short organ recitals and choral concerts.

St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)

Vienna's Gothic cathedral hosts organ concerts and large choral works in the main season, usually with reserved seating by category.

Minoritenkirche

Gothic church on Minoritenplatz with occasional choral and orchestral concerts, close to the Hofburg.

Practical tips for the evening

Tickets

Your e-tickets arrive by email right after payment. Show them on your phone at the entrance; nothing is sent by post.

Arrival

Doors open 30 minutes before the concert. Arriving early gives you a free choice of pew and time to look at the church.

Dress code

There is none. Smart casual is the norm; many guests come straight from sightseeing.

Getting there

Underground U1 or U3 to Stephansplatz, or U1, U2, U4 to Karlsplatz; the church is a five-minute walk from either station in the pedestrian zone.

Photos

Photos are fine before and after the performance. Please do not film or photograph while the musicians play.