260th Prater Anniversary Celebration
In 1766, Emperor Joseph II opened the Vienna Prater to the public, transforming it into a recreational area for all Viennese. 260 years later, the Wurstelprater and the Grüner Prater are not only an integral part of leisure activities in Vienna, but also a magnet for visitors from all over the world. This milestone certainly calls for a celebration!
From Friday, Sept 18th to Sunday, Sept 20th, 2026, you can look forward to a grand anniversary celebration in the Wurstelprater. Many exciting events await you, celebrating all the unique aspects of the Prater. And there will be special prices at various rides and attractions as well!
Opening of the 260th Anniversary Celebration
Location: 
Pratermuseum
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Fri, September 18th 2026
18:15 
Welcome Adress
by Silvia Lang, president of the Praterverband, and Alexander Nikolai, district head of Leopoldstadt
18:30 
JEREMIA Album Release Conzert – Twelve Chambers of My Heart
Musically, Jeremia—the alter ego of songwriter, singer, and Prater-child Gerald Schaaf—navigates the space between rock and pop, electronic soundscapes, and orchestral elements. The album "Twelve Chambers of My Heart" is not intended as a mere collection of individual songs, but rather as a cohesive narrative. You can find all the details at jeremia.art
Sun, September 20th 2026
9:30 Ecumenical Service
with Dr. Stefan Schumann and Dr. Joe Farrugia at Grand Autodrom
Prater-Walks "Hinter den Kulissen" 🇦🇹
During these walks, showmen and traditional Prater families will give you exciting and rare insights behind the scenes on a wide variety of topics! All walks are held in German.
Meeting Point: Pratermuseum
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Sat, September 19th 2026
11:30 
Wurzeln der Familie Kolarik / Paul Kolarik
12:30 Die Liliputbahn / Robert Fucik
13:30 Nikolai Kobelkoff / Nikolai Pasara
14:30 Technik im Prater / Sandro Spreizer
15:30 Familie Holzdorfer / Sabine Holzdorfer
16:30 Basilio Calafati / Milan Brantusa
23:00 Wurstelprater bei Nacht / Stefan Sittler-Koidl
Sun, September 20th 2026
11:30 Familie Schaaf / Astrid Schaaf
12:30 Alt Wiener Hochschaubahn / Hubert Pichler
13:30 Das weltälteste Riesenrad / Nora Lamac
14:30 Familie Reinprecht / Paul Popp
15:30 Familie Kolnhofer / Katja Kolnhofer
16:30 FUN Vergnügungsbetriebe / Viola Pondorfer
17:30 Das älteste Fahrgeschäft / Astrid Schaaf
Readings from Texts about Prater 🇦🇹
At Cafe Neuzeit, actors and authors read from texts about and related to the Vienna Prater amusement park. Expect humor, history, and a great atmosphere.
Location: Café Neuzeit
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Sat, September 19th 2026
15:00 
Michaela Adelberger reads from texts written by Peter Altenberg, Elias Canetti, Joseph Roth, Arthur Schnitzler, and Stefan Zweig
16:00 Johannes Zirner reads from the book "Wurstelprater" by Felix Salten (1868-1945) and Emil Mayer (1871-1938). Music by Dominik Nostitz
17:00 Ingeborg Schwab reads from texts written by H.C. Artmann, Elfriede Jelinek, Anton Kuh, Robert Musil, Helmut Qualtinger, and Carl Merz
Sun, September 20th 2026
16:00 Under the motto "And the Ferris wheel keeps turning," Stefan Franke, accompanied by Katharina Litschauer, brings the eventful history of the Prater back to life using original newspaper reports, vivid stories, and curious advertisements
Guided Tours, Concert + Film Screening 🇦🇹/
At the Pratermuseum you can not only look forward to lively guided tours on different topics – there are also chances to win prizes at the Wheel of Fortune (12:00 and 17:00) with Prater-Heinzi and Praterwurstel.
Location: Pratermuseum
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Sat, September 19th 2026
11:00 
The Vienna Prater – A Place for Everyone
Guided tour with Regina Zebardjedan, Wien Museum
12:00 Prater-Illusionen und wie sie funktionierten
Führung mit Christine Strahner, Wien Museum
14:00 Der Prater und die waghalsigen Frauen
Führung mit Susanne Winkler, Pratermuseum
15:00 Venedig in Wien
Führung mit Ingrid Erb, Architektin
16:00 Der Prater in der Musik
Führung mit Wolfgang Fichna, Historiker
17:00 Der Prater – Spielwiese des Unbewussten
Führung mit Helmuth Figdor, Psychoanalytiker
Sun, September 20th 2026
11:00 Planet Prater – Zum Wimmelbild
Führung mit Olaf Osten, Künstler, Wien
12:00 Der Prater und die Leopoldstadt
Führung mit Alexander Nikolai, Bezirksvorsteher Leopoldstadt
13:00 The Vienna Prater – A Place for Everyone
Guided tour with Regina Zebardjedan, Wien Museum
16:00 Der historische Prater
Spaziergang mit Werner Michael Schwarz und Susanne Winkler, Pratermuseum
17:00 Die Weltausstellung 1873 im Wiener Prater
Führung mit Elke Wikidal, Wien Museum
Ernst Molden Live
On Saturday you can look forward to a live performance by one of today's most outstanding Austrian songwriters!
Location: Pratermuseum
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Sat, September 19th 2026
18:30 🎶 Concert by Ernst Molden – Praterlieder
Ernst Molden was born in Vienna in 1967 and worked, among other things, as a police reporter, supplement editor and dramaturge. Since 1993 he has been working and living as a freelance poet, songwriter, singer and guitar player. He plays his concerts solo, in a duo with Nino from Vienna or Hans Theessink, with Ursula Strauss or a large band, with the women's orchestra or with Maria Petrova.
At his performance at the 260th anniversary festival you can expect his interpretation of a colorful mix of Prater songs!
On Sunday, a very special film screening awaits you at the Pratermuseum, featuring live music by Heidi Fial (electric guitar, double bass, Hammond organ) and Stefan Zisser (electric guitar), along with a brief introduction by Werner Michael Schwarz from the Wien Museum.
Location: Pratermuseum
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Sun, September 20th 2026
18:30 🎬 "Die Pratermizzi" film screening (Austria, 1926)
The story begins with Baron Christian falling head over heels for Mizzi, a charming Prater ticket-booth attendant; however, he soon becomes captivated by the enigmatic dancer Valette. She always performs wearing a golden face mask, beneath which she conceals a secret. *Pratermizzi* is a blend of crime, detective, and horror genres—for this Viennese romance, conceived by Walter Reisch, conceals a dark journey into the "mysterious depths" of the human soul. You can find further information about the production at filmarchiv.at
Children's Program
The anniversary celebration also has a colorful program in store for children.
Locations: see below
Admission: free (first come, first serve)
Sat, September 19th 2026
11:00-13:00 
Craft Station
Key chain crafting for kids aged 5 and up
Location: Praterkasperl
11:00-18:00 
Schnitzeljagd
Solving the puzzle in search of the secret Prater code
Location: Pratermuseum
12:30 
Teleskopstation
Solar observation for kids aged 6 and up
Location: Popps Paradise
13:00 
Lachen, Staunen, Praterzauber
Family magic show from the Circus and Clown Museum
Location: Pratermuseum
13:00 + 15:30 
Magische Kunststücke erlernen
für Kinder und Jugendliche von 8-14 Jahren
Location: Magic World Vienna
Sun, September 20th 2026
8:00-13:00 
Children's Flea Market >> all info
Flea market for and by children
11:00-13:00 Craft Station
Key chain crafting for kids aged 5 and up
Location: Praterkasperl
11:00-18:00 Schnitzeljagd
Solving the puzzle in search of the secret Prater code
Location: Pratermuseum
11:00 + 13:00 Magische Kunststücke erlernen
for kids aged 8-14
Location: Magic World Vienna
14:00 Kinderführung Mars, Mond oder Venedig
mit Christine Strahner für Kids ab 8 Jahren
Location: Pratermuseum
15:00 Lachen, Staunen, Praterzauber
Family magic show from the Circus and Clown Museum
Location: Pratermuseum
14:00 + 15:30 
Building and launching water rockets
with the Planetarium team for kids aged 8–10
Location: Prater Alm
Overview Map
Per Klick kannst du den Übersichtsplan vergrößern.
We hope you enjoy your visit!
Note: Deviations may occur in case of bad weather.
Last updated: 16. Sept 2026; Subject to change.
Fotocredits: prater.at/Ploberger; prater.at/Archiv; Klaus Pichler/WienMuseum; Daniela Matejschek; Filmarchiv Austria; prater.at/Jakwerth