Austrian National Day 2026 Vienna: Free Museums & Family Days

In 2026, Austria’s National Day falls on a Monday, the school autumn break starts the very next day, and the Monday after that, All Souls’ Day, is school-free as well. That adds up to ten days off in a row for Vienna’s schools, from October 24 to November 2. It’s one of the busiest stretches of the autumn, and a good one to spend in Vienna if you’re new to the city.

The Dates at a Glance 

• Sat, Oct 24 – Sun, Oct 25: weekend
• Mon, Oct 26: Nationalfeiertag (public holiday)
• Tue, Oct 27 – Sat, Oct 31: Herbstferien, in all Austrian states
• Sun, Nov 1: Allerheiligen (All Saints’, public holiday)
• Mon, Nov 2: Allerseelen (All Souls’), schools closed

What the National Day Is 

October 26 marks the 1955 law on Austria’s permanent neutrality, and it has been a public holiday since 1965. In Vienna, the day has its own routines: a wreath-laying at Heldenplatz, a show by the Armed Forces on the square, and open days at government buildings such as the Parliament. The 2026 programme details are still being published, so check the official sites before you head out.

Free Museums and Open Doors 

On October 26, from 10am to 6pm, the National Library’s Prunksaal, the Papyrusmuseum and the Haus der Geschichte Österreich offer free admission, with special tours and a creative children’s program. The Architekturzentrum Wien also holds an open day. Not every museum takes part, so check each one’s website before you go.

With Kids: Ideas for the Autumn Break 

The Kindermuseum in Schönbrunn Palace takes children into the everyday life of the imperial family, and at the end they dress up as princes and princesses. The Schönbrunn Puppet Theater is nearby, and the zoo is in the palace grounds. In town, the ZOOM Kindermuseum in the MuseumsQuartier runs programs with fixed start times and limited places, and tickets are sold online ten days in advance, so book early.

Practical Notes for Newcomers 

Shops and supermarkets are closed on Sunday and on public holidays, so stock up by Saturday, October 24. Many museums, cafés and restaurants stay open. The clocks also go back one hour on Sunday, October 25.

Moving to Vienna With Family? 

If your family arrives this autumn, the break is a good window to get your bearings, with a long stretch of days to explore without a fixed routine. Abieshomes Schönbrunn is in the 15th district, about an 18-minute walk from Schönbrunn Palace and six minutes from Längenfeldgasse station on the U4 and U6, with apartments for short and long stays.

Planning a family move this autumn? Take a look at Abieshomes Schönbrunn for a base close to the palace and the U-Bahn.

A Few Quick Questions 

When is the National Day 2026?
Monday, October 26, 2026.

When are the Herbstferien 2026 in Vienna?
Tuesday, October 27 to Saturday, October 31, in all Austrian states.

Is museum entry free on October 26?
At participating museums, yes. The Prunksaal, the Papyrusmuseum and the Haus der Geschichte Österreich are free from 10am to 6pm. Not every museum takes part.

Are shops open on the National Day?
No. It’s a public holiday, so shops and supermarkets are closed, as they are on Sunday.

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