January

One of the coldest but least expensive months; rooms are available at short notice and the winter cultural scene is lively.

Wiener Eistraum

From January to about mid-March the square in front of Vienna’s Rathaus turns into a massive ice rink (www.wienereistraum.com).

February

Days are still short, dark and often snowy. Crowds are still down but the cultural scene is going strong.

Fasching

The Fasching season, a carnival time of costumes and parties, runs from November to Ash Wednesday but things climax in February.

Opernball

Of the 300 or so balls held in January and February, the Opernball (Opera Ball) in February is Vienna’s most lavish and renowned.

March

Days are getting longer and, especially by late March, often it’s even warm enough to sit outdoors in the sun.

Frühlingsfestival

Alternating each year between the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus concert halls, this spring festival of classical concerts can begin in late March or early April and run into May.

April

Vienna’s tourist season starts at Easter. Weather is changeable. Book very early for Easter and in advance from now on for most accommodation.

OsterKlang Festival

Orchestral and chamber music recitals fill some of Vienna’s best music halls during the OsterKlang Festival (www.osterklang.at) held around Easter each year.

May

May can be a lovely time to travel. Cycling is possible, the Danube cruises are frequent and it’s warm enough to ponder an excursion to the Wachau.

Life Ball

This AIDS charity event (www.lifeball.org) is a highlight of the ball season and is often graced by inter­national celebrities. It’s held in the Rathaus around the middle of May or as late as July.

June

Good weather but the big-hitting sights in central Vienna start to get crowded. A great time for activities or excursions to the Wachau.

Wiener Festwochen

Wiener Festwochen (Vienna Festival; www.festwochen.or.at) hosts a program of arts, based in various venues around town, from May to mid-June.

Identities: Queer Film Festival

Identities (www.identities.at) showcases queer movies from around the world. It normally takes place at the beginning of June every second year (2015 is an on-year).

Donauinselfest

Held over three days on a weekend in late June, the Donauinselfest (www.donauinselfest.at) on the Danube Island features a feast of rock, pop, folk and country performers, attracting three million onlookers. Best of all, it’s free!

Regenbogen Parade

In late June Vienna is taken over by the Regenbogen Parade (Rainbow Parade; www.hosiwien.at), a predominantly gay and lesbian festival attracting some 150,000 people.

July

School holidays begin and Vienna can be hot and crowded. Enjoy the outdoors, take an excursion into the country, relax in a Heuriger (wine tavern) and dine outdoors.

Jazz Fest Wien

From the end of June to mid-July, Vienna relaxes to the smooth sound of jazz, blues and soul during the Jazz Fest Wien (www.viennajazz.org) at venues across town.

ImPulsTanz

Vienna’s premier avant-garde dance festival, ImPulsTanz (www.impulstanz.com) attracts troupes between mid-July and mid-August at theatres across Vienna.

Musikfilm Festival

Screenings of operettas, operas and concerts outside the Rathaus in July and August.

September

Temperatures are falling and the crowds are tailing off at museums. School holidays have finished.

Vienna Fair

Held in September or October, this is Austria’s prime contemporary art fair (www.viennafair.at), with Eastern European artists in particular well represented. It’s held at the trade fair grounds.

October

Goldener Oktober – the sun reflects the golden browns of autumn and in a good year you can sit outside, but it can get cold at night. The cultural scene is moving onto winter programs.

Viennale Film Festival

This is the country’s best film festival. The Viennale Film Festival (www.viennale.at) features fringe and independent films from around the world, with screenings around the city.

November

Vienna can be grey and wet in November. Get into the restaurant, coffee-house and cultural scenes; don’t expect to spend much time outdoors, and only do city excursions (eg Bratislava).

Wien Modern Festival

Wien Modern (www.wienmodern.at) festival features modern classical and avant-garde music from mid- October to mid-November.

December

Another good month for culture and the good life indoors, with one exception: the Christmas markets. A quintessential experience is to wrap up against the cold and sip mulled wine.

Christkindlmärkte

Vienna’s much-loved Christmas market season runs from mid-November to Christmas Day.

Silvester

The city council transforms the Innere Stadt into one huge party venue for Silvester (New Year’s Eve).

Le Grand Bal

Le Grand Bal (www.legrand­bal.at), held on New Year’s Eve at the Hofburg, offers more opportunities for haute-couture hobnobbing than you ever thought possible (or bearable).