Celebration of Villach's Church Consecration: Austria's most celebrated tradition festival
The bustling town of Villach in Carinthia, Austria, will come alive with colour and tradition as it hosts the 80th Villacher Kirchtag from July 27 to August 3, 2025. This nine-day celebration is Austria’s largest traditional customs festival, showcasing local culture, costumes, cuisine, and the famous Villacher beer.
Dates
Mark your calendars for the festivities, which will commence on Sunday, July 27, and conclude on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Location
The festival will take place throughout the town of Villach, with various traditional areas and event venues playing host to the rich programme of events.
Key Events
The detailed programme for the Villacher Kirchtag is officially published and can be browsed or downloaded as a brochure from the festival's website. Highlights include a concert by Matakustix on August 2, 2025, at 9:00 PM.
The festival offers a variety of traditional customs, regional specialties, musical performances, and communal activities that emphasise tradition and local heritage. To ensure quality and safety, an extensive security concept is implemented.
Traditional Events
The Trachtenfestzug, a parade showcasing traditional costumes from around the world, is a key event. The parade begins at the intersection of Pestalozzistraße/Italienerstraße and proceeds through the Villacher Old Town, ending at Nikolaiplatz.
The Villacher Kirchtag Suppe, a traditional Carinthian dish, is another highlight. This sour soup contains sweet and sour cream, five different types of meat, root vegetables, and various spices. The recipe can be found online from "Kuchelmasta" Prof. Peter Lexe.
Food and Entertainment
Visitors can enjoy traditional Carinthian specialties such as Kokosbusserl, gingerbread hearts, Reindling, and Langos in the lively atmosphere of the Kirchtag guest gardens on the main square, church squares, and at the town hall and registry office.
An amusement park in Villach's Old Town offers attractions for all age groups, from gentle rides to fast, thrilling attractions. The amusement park operates from Tuesday to Sunday, with varying opening hours.
Accommodation and Outings
For those planning a stay, accommodation options include the STUWO Ferienapartments in Villach, located just 7 minutes by car or 15 minutes by bike from Villach's old town.
Villach and its surroundings offer various outing destinations and leisure activities, making it an ideal base for exploring the region.
Public transport adjustments and special schedules are also issued for the event duration to accommodate visitors. For detailed daily schedules, venues, and event highlights, the official program brochure and website are the best resources to consult.
The Villacher Kirchtag, a nine-day festival in Villach, Austria, offers a blend of traditional customs, fashion-and-beauty (with a parade showcasing traditional costumes from around the world), food-and-drink (including the Villacher Kirchtag Suppe, a traditional Carinthian dish), home-and-garden (the lively atmosphere of the Kirchtag guest gardens), and travel opportunities (accommodation options in Villach and outings to nearby destinations).
The detailed program for the festival includes a concert by Matakustix (on August 2, 2025, at 9:00 PM) and an amusement park in Villach's Old Town, providing entertainment for all age groups.
For those planning to visit, the festival offers a lifestyle experience filled with local culture, cuisine, and the famous Villacher beer, as well as accommodation options like the STUWO Ferienapartments in Villach. The town's surroundings also provide various leisure activities, making it an ideal base for exploring the region.
