Villacher Kirchtag – Austria’s largest traditional festival
28th July – 4th August 2024
The Villacher Kirchtag, Austria’s largest traditional festival, was first held in 1936. It was initiated by the Villach tourism association, together with the Bauerngman – a society of men who help people in need. The festival was only ever cancelled in the war-torn years between 1939 and 1948, making 2018 the 75th anniversary of Villacher Kirchtag.
Today, more than 450,000 people visit the city of Villach during the Kirchtag week, a celebration where tradition and zeitgeist meet. For a whole week, the old town of Villach is transformed into a huge stage for dance, music and culinary delights, while adrenaline junkies will get their money’s worth on the amusement rides.
A traditional meal at the festival is the “Kirchtagssuppe”, a thick soup made with five different types of meat (beef, veal, lamb, chicken, pork) and sour and sweet cream. Another typical Carinthian delicacy everyone should try is the Reindling, a ring cake filled with sugar, cinnamon and raisins.
From Sunday to Sunday, the heart of Villach is alive with ancient traditions and costumes – lederhosen and dirndl dresses are proudly worn by young and old. The highlight of the Kirchtag is on Saturday: a costume parade with over 70 groups from the Alps-Adriatic region and beyond march through Villach, presenting both traditional and modern costumes, dances, and songs. And once night falls in Villach, a big fireworks display lights up the sky and the faces of the countless onlookers. We look forward to seeing you at the 78th Villacher Kirchtag!
Should you have any questions, please take a look at our FAQs! Here, you will find a whole host of information that is sure to answer all your questions.
Multilingual Program Folder 2023
Getting there
There is a total of 7 airports in the Villach region, and train, bus, taxi and shuttle services will take you to and from the city. If you’re planning on arriving by plane, please check Connect Villach. Once you have reached Villach, you can travel around by bus, by train, in your own car or, of course, on foot or by bike. Please see ÖBB for bus and train connections. Parking spaces are available all around the city centre.
FAQs
In the FAQs, we have gathered the most important information and answered the questions asked most frequently by visitors to the Villacher Kirchtag. Our FAQs offer a whole host of information and leave no question unanswered.
General information
When will the 79th Villacher Kirchtag take place?
The funfair will open on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, and all rides, food stands, and stalls are open from 5 pm. Subject to change.
When will the 2024 Villacher Kirchtag take place?
The 79th Villach Kirchtag will be held from 28th July to 4th August 2024.
From when on are the rides open on the opening day?
The funfair will open on Tuesday, 1 August 2023, and all rides, food stands and stalls are open from 5 pm. Subject to change.
Are there any security checks at the entrances?
Yes, security staff and the police will be present at the entrances and will also carry out security checks. They are also available to visitors as direct contact persons when needed.
May I take my backpack to the Kirchtag?
We recommend you do not take backpacks or large bags. Ideally, you should leave everything but the bare essentials at home. Because: without a backpack or bag, you will get to the Kirchtag quicker and will be able to move around the crowds unhampered.
What am I not allowed to bring?
Weapons and other objects and substances that are dangerous and could cause injuries or damage property may not be carried, used or distributed. They include irritant gas sprayers, batons, impact weapons, thrusting weapons and stabbing weapons, firearms, tasers, pyrotechnic articles such as flares, rockets and firecrackers, caustic and staining liquids, baseball bats and similar sports equipment as well as bulky items and flags. In addition, you are not allowed to bring bottles, cups, jugs or cans that are made of fragile or hard materials (glass, PET, plastic etc.).
May I bring animals to the fairground?
If you love your pet, please leave it at home, because the Villach Kirchtag is pure stress for animals. Your pet will thank you! Guide dogs are, of course, permitted all over the fairground.
I’ve lost something – is there a lost property office at Villacher Kirchtag?
If you have lost something, please contact the information desk at the Villach town hall (entrance “Rathaus”) the following working day. This is where the lost property office is located.
Can we celebrate our stag night at the Villacher Kirchtag?
Of course! However, please observe the site rules. You may not bring glass bottles to the fairground. Also, you may not sell any wares while walking around.
Do I need to pay an admission fee to get into the fairground?
No, admission to the Villach Kirchtag is free.
Getting there
What is the best way to get to Villacher Kirchtag?
Plan your journey and use public transport: You will find more information at Connect Villach.
Are there any parking facilities in the vicinity of the fairground?
Due to the great number of visitors, we would generally advise you to arrive by public transport. However, there is ample parking space in the immediate vicinity of the fairground. Please see here for nearby parking spaces.
Food stalls and fairground rides
Where can I reserve spaces?
Reservations need to be made directly with the fairground organisers. Please find the contact details under the menu item “site map”.
Children, adolescents and families
Is the Villacher Kirchtag suitable for a family outing?
Certainly – the Villach Kirchtag is also a family fête. The children’s rides on Hans-Gasser-Platz are especially great for the youngest members of your family.
Can I bring pushchairs to the fairground?
Yes, pushchairs are permitted. But please keep in mind that the streets around the fairground will be very busy from the early evening onwards. If you bring a pushchair, you do so at your own risk.
Until what time are children allowed to stay at the fairground?
Youth protection act (as amended from time to time)
a) Children (aged 14 and younger) need to leave the fairground between 11 pm and 5 am and b) unaccompanied youths (up to the age of 16) need to leave the fairground between 1 am and 5 am.
What about youths and alcoholic drinks?
Children and adolescents up to the age of 16 may not buy, possess or consume alcoholic drinks or tobacco. Youths over the age of 16 may not buy, possess or consume spirits or mixed drinks containing spirits, regardless of whether they are pre-made (e.g. alcopops) or self-made. In any case, youths from the age of 16 may only consume alcoholic drinks to a limited extent: the blood alcohol concentration must not exceed 0.5 g / l (0.5 parts per thousand) or the breath alcohol concentration must not exceed 0.25 mg / l.
Organisation
Where can I apply for jobs at the Villacher Kirchtag?
If you would like to work at the Villacher Kirchtag, please send us an email. We will add your data to our pool of potential workers and pass them on to stall owners as needed. Of course, you can also contact publicans and stall operators directly.
When will the stall operators be announced?
The fairground people, publicans and stall operators are informed roughly two months after the registration deadline (31 March of every year) whether we are considering their participation. All contact details beyond the company name, the industry and the name of the stand tenant are subject to the data protection act.
I’m a stall operator and would like to be part of the Villacher Kirchtag. Whom should I contact?
You can apply online via the homepage. Please be aware of the registration deadline. We can only consider fully completed forms.
Application for the folkloristic costume parade
You can apply online via the homepage. Please be aware of the registration deadline. We can only consider fully completed forms.
