"Your Island. Real Moments." – Under this beautiful motto, the Donauinselfest invites you to three unforgettable days in 2025. From June 20th to 22nd, Vienna's Danube Island will once again be the stage for one of the largest, free open-air festivals in the world. And maybe you'll be there (again) this year?
Donauinselfest Vienna 2025 – All information at a glance
What makes the Donauinselfest so special?
Every year, between two and three million visitors flock to the island. At peak times, around 250,000 people congregate on the grounds at the same time – an impressive backdrop full of music, culture, and a true festival atmosphere.
The best part: No tickets are required. Everyone is welcome! After a brief security check, you can simply enter the grounds and enjoy the diverse program. A quick tip: If you want to see a specific act live, it's best to arrive a little earlier – in case of large crowds, certain stage areas may have to be temporarily closed.
Was erwartet Sie auf dem Donauinselfest 2025?
The festival grounds stretch approximately 4.5 kilometers between the Nordbrücke and the Reichsbrücke. Along this stretch, you'll find 16 stages and many other attractions – from interactive stations and culinary offerings to information and action booths from a variety of organizations.
In 2025, a key focus will be on inclusion. The organizers are committed to making the festival accessible to everyone – young and old, with or without disabilities. There will be shuttle and escort services, five quiet zones distributed throughout the grounds, and parts of the main stage program will be available in sign language.
A look at the program
A colorful mix awaits you on the stages: international music stars, local acts, cabaret, podcasts, dance groups, and much more. Here are some highlights:
Rock the Island – the young talent contest
Young talents will once again have the chance to perform at the Donauinselfest in 2025. The audience and the expert jury will decide together who will delight the audience on the island. There will be a special category for the youngest artists – including professional coaching.
Inclusion Concert with Milow
On Friday morning, a special concert will take place for the second time – barrier-free and open to all. This year, Milow will perform, accompanied by a digital avatar performing in sign language . A beautiful example of inclusion in action.
Red Bull Symphonic – Johann Strauss Meets Drum and Bass
A real highlight awaits you on Friday evening: Camo & Krooked, together with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, will reinterpret works by Johann Strauss Jr. – to mark his 200th birthday. Tradition meets modern beats.
Volksoper Preview: "Killing Carmen"
On June 19th, the eve of the festival, the Vienna Volksoper will exclusively present an excerpt from its new production of "Carmen." A very special gift to the festival audience.
Rolf Rüdiger & Robert Steiner live
On Saturday, the two audience favorites invite you to the live recording of their radio show "Extra Wow – Die 2 um 2." Entertainment for the whole family, not just for children!
Wiener Städtische Versicherung / Sicheres Wien Insel
On this part of the Danube Island, various aid organizations will present their areas of operation and capabilities. For example, rescue dogs and water rescuers will demonstrate their skills in exciting demonstrations. There will also be demonstrations of how to act in emergency situations and how you can best react and provide assistance.
Other program items
On the Democracy Island, you can expect interviews with various personalities on the topic of democracy as well as interactive activities. The Austrian Armed Forces invite you to try out a sports course and numerous exercise stations. The tourism island offers a varied program focusing on Thailand on Friday and Korea on Saturday – including K-Pop acts. On the Austrian Lotteries Sportinsel stage, you can try out karaoke and showcase your talent. The Wiener Städtische Versicherung Schlager Insel presents artists from the Schlager genre. Popular DJs will spin on the OBI / kronehit Electronic Music stage, and national and international rock acts will perform on the Bank Austria / Radio 88.6 Rock stage. There are also many other stages hosting numerous artists. You can find the full program here.
A festival for the whole family
Would you like to come to the Donauinselfest with children? We'd love to – there's an extensive family and children's program. On the Okidoki Kinderfreunde stage, there's a comprehensive program especially for children until 4:00 PM, featuring clowns, magic shows, and children's songs. Many interactive stations and child-friendly shows also provide variety on other stages and islands.
Please note: Visiting with children is especially recommended until late afternoon – in the evening, it gets louder and more confusing due to the crowds. Strollers are permitted, but a sling or buggy with large wheels may be more practical.
Please also pay attention to the bag rules: Anything larger than A3 is prohibited, as are glass bottles and food from home.
Tip: Give your child a contact wristband with your name and phone number – this way, help can be provided quickly in an emergency.
How to get there
Traveling by public transport is clearly the best option. The main stations:
• U1 – Donauinsel
• U6 – Neue Donau or Handelskai
• Trams 30, 31, 33 – Floridsdorfer Brücke
From the train station, the U1 (Hauptbahnhof) or U6 (Westbahnhof, Meidling) will take you directly to the island. You can also arrive by bike – there are guarded bike garages near the site.
It's best to plan your visit in advance using the site and program map, as the routes on the island are longer than you might think – and during the festival, you'll be traveling on foot.
Dos & Don'ts – To ensure your festival visit remains relaxed
Dos
• Review the site and program map
• Arrange meeting points with friends
• Provide contact information for children
• Bring hats and sunscreen
• Arrive early for popular acts
• Keep an eye on your valuables
Don'ts
• Arrive by car
• Bring umbrellas (including umbrellas)
• Bring alcoholic beverages or food
• Carry large bags (over A3)
• Leave trash lying around
What you should definitely bring:
• Hat & sunscreen
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Water (max. 0.5 l bottled)
• Small backpack or bag
• Site & program map
• Cash (card payments are not accepted everywhere)
• Warm clothes for the evening
A Look Back: The History of the Donauinselfest
The Donauinselfest has a long history – it has been bringing people together since 1984. What once began as a small spring festival is now a major event. Some of the most legendary moments include Falco's 1993 performance, which continued despite thunderstorms and lightning strikes, and the Kelly Family's mega-concert in 1995 with 250,000 fans.
During the pandemic, the festival got creative: In 2020 and 2021, concerts took place throughout Vienna – from a mobile stage bus to a small finale on the island. Since 2022, we've been celebrating in full force again.
Whether you're experiencing the Donauinselfest for the first time or already have many memories associated with it – 2025 awaits you with many special moments. We have the perfect companion for your supporting program to discover Vienna! With the Vienna PASS and the FLEXI Pass, you can choose from a variety of Viennese attractions to explore Vienna away from the festival scene!
Just one more step to your Vienna sightseeing tour