Getting in, what to wear
Hofburg concert: entry and dress
The practical guide to the Hofburg concert in Vienna: the Heldenplatz entrance, collecting tickets, what to wear, the cloakroom, access and the evening.
Reserve your seats in the Hofburg ↗Quick answer
Go to the main entrance of the Hofburg on Heldenplatz, next to the Austrian National Library, and arrive early for the better seats in your category. The orchestra recommends smart casual dress, and a cloakroom is included in the ticket. The concert lasts about an hour and a half. Some dates are at the Konzerthaus, so read your confirmation for the hall before you leave.
Check your hall first
Before anything else, read the confirmation for the name of your hall. The ticket covers concerts in the Hofburg and at the Konzerthaus, and the two buildings are in different parts of the city. A traveller who goes to Heldenplatz for a Konzerthaus date will miss the start. The orchestra's own pages list the Ceremonial Hall, the Festival Hall and the Konzerthaus Mozart Hall as venues, so the hall name in your confirmation is the single fact to check. If it is not clear, the booking page is the place to ask, not the palace, because the palace does not run the concert and cannot see your booking. Keep the confirmation open on your phone, since it carries the hall name, the date and your booking details.
Finding the Hofburg entrance
For Hofburg dates, the orchestra says the main entrance of the Vienna Hofburg is directly on Heldenplatz, next to the Austrian National Library. Heldenplatz, the Heroes' Square, is a public space in front of the palace, in the Innere Stadt, with two equestrian statues, one of Archduke Charles and one of Prince Eugene of Savoy. One guest reports that a map listing suggested the Josefsplatz side, so head for Heldenplatz. In rare cases the orchestra uses another door on the far side of the palace, and the confirmation then says so. Check it the day before. The Austrian National Library beside the door makes a useful landmark when you look for it.
Collecting tickets, arriving early
Tickets are collected at the evening box office. The orchestra's event pages state that the evening box opens one hour before the concert starts, and guests on the booking page say redeeming the voucher was no problem and the tickets were easy to collect. Take your confirmation with you, on paper or on your phone. Arrive early for three reasons: the line at the box office, the cloakroom, and the choice of seats, since guests say the better seats within each category go first. Your confirmation shows the start time, so work backwards from it,. If your confirmation gives a voucher code or a barcode, keep it ready so the box office can find your booking at once.
The cloakroom and what to leave behind
A cloakroom is part of the ticket, so a coat, a scarf or an umbrella can be left before you enter the hall. That is one more reason to arrive early. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. A printed programme and a CD of the orchestra can be bought on the night. The programme is subject to change, so the sheet you buy gives the order of that evening, and it is the only dependable list of the pieces. The ticket does not include food or drink, so eat before you come or plan a table afterwards. Leave anything bulky at your hotel. Your seat is shown to you after you enter, so you can leave a coat and walk in with nothing extra to carry.
What to wear
The orchestra recommends smart casual. That means you do not need a tuxedo or an evening gown, and you should not turn up in beachwear or in hiking boots either. Think of a shirt and trousers, or a dress or a skirt with a jacket. The orchestra describes its halls as air-conditioned, so a light layer is useful, particularly on a warm evening when the room is cooler than the street. Because the cloakroom is included, a coat or a bag does not have to be a burden in your seat, and you can dress for the room rather than for the walk. A smart-casual outfit sits comfortably in the Hofburg halls and in the Konzerthaus alike, so the same clothes work for either venue.
How the evening runs
The concert lasts about an hour and a half. A conductor leads the orchestra, and opera singers and ballet dancers join it on stage. The orchestra promises musical jokes every evening, and guests mention humorous interludes that keep the programme light. The pieces are Strauss waltzes and polkas, Mozart arias and duets, and operetta numbers, and the programme sheet lists them in order. Because the programme can change, the sheet you buy is the reliable list for your evening. The home page describes eight pieces the programme has named, and the guides explain who wrote them and why they belong together. The programme sheet is a handy memento, and the CD offers the orchestra's playing to take home.
Manners and language
Treat the evening as a concert in a historic room. Switch off your phone, sit where the staff show you, and keep conversation for the gaps between pieces. One guest on the booking page mentions that some audience members spoke or sang along softly, and found it distracting, so the room is not always silent. You do not need to know the music. The operetta numbers and The Magic Flute are in German, and the programme sheet lists the pieces by title, so you can follow the order of the evening without the words. The musical jokes work without translation. If you want to read about the pieces first, the guides on this site cover the waltzes, the Mozart numbers and the operettas.
Access and comfort
The ticket is marked wheelchair accessible, and the orchestra describes its halls as barrier-free and air-conditioned. The Hofburg is a large complex, so check on the booking page that your hall and entrance suit your needs, and mention any need for step-free access before you book. For the Konzerthaus, the orchestra lists the Mozart Hall as barrier-free too. The hall's seats are arranged by category, and arriving early gives you the choice of a seat that suits your needs within it. If your party includes anyone who finds a long evening hard, tell the staff at the door when you arrive. For any question about a step, a lift or an alternative entrance, the booking page is the first stop.
Getting there and home again
The Hofburg lies in the Innere Stadt, the first district, and most central hotels are close by, on foot or a short ride away. For the Konzerthaus, the orchestra's page names Stadtpark as the nearest U-Bahn station, mentions the Schwarzenbergplatz tram stop and lists a paid garage at Schwarzenbergplatz 5. The Konzerthaus sits in the third district at the edge of the first, so it is also within reach of the old city on foot. Use the city's route planner for the way from your hotel, since lines and stops change, and plan your way back before the concert ends. Heldenplatz itself was built as part of the Ringstraße project under Emperor Francis Joseph, so it sits on the old city's grand boulevard.
Making an evening of it
A concert of about an hour and a half leaves room for dinner on either side. The old city around the Hofburg has cafés and restaurants, and booking a table ahead is sensible in the main season. If you would rather have dinner and music in one booking, another Vienna palace concert offers a four-course dinner before or after the music, as the comparison on the home page explains. Choose according to whether you want the Hofburg halls or the convenience of one reservation. The orchestra plays its Strauss and Mozart concerts from May to October, so a summer visit gives light evenings around the concert. Ask your restaurant to note the concert start time when you reserve, so the meal and the music fit together.
Who this isn't for
This evening is not for visitors who want a quiet, solemn recital, because the programme is playful and some guests sing along. It is also not for anyone who wants a long concert, since it lasts about an hour and a half, or who needs a firm promise of a specific piece, since the programme can change. If you want a particular composer's whole symphony, look at the schedule of the city's large concert houses instead. And if you cannot manage stairs or long walks inside the complex, confirm your hall and its entrance with the booking page before you go. The programme and the hall are decided by the date, so check both on the calendar before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I enter the Hofburg for the concert?
At the main entrance of the Hofburg on Heldenplatz, next to the Austrian National Library. A rare date may use another door, and your confirmation says so.
What is the dress code?
The orchestra recommends smart casual. A cloakroom is included in the ticket.
When does the box office open?
The orchestra's event pages say the evening box opens one hour before the concert starts. Your confirmation shows the concert's start time.
What is not allowed?
Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. A printed programme and a CD can be bought on the night.
Can I get there by public transport?
Yes. The Hofburg is in the first district, and the Konzerthaus has the Stadtpark U-Bahn station nearby. Use the city's route planner for the exact way.
Does the concert run all year?
The orchestra plays its Strauss and Mozart concerts from May to October, with Christmas concerts in the Festival Hall. Check the booking calendar for your dates.
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