Vienna's New Year's Trail has it all for anyone looking to celebrate the turn of the year under the stars with thousands of other partygoers.  The streets of the first district are lined with stands selling punch and tasty delicacies, and numerous stages work up an atmosphere with shows, waltzes, operetta, rock and folk music.  At midnight on December 31 each year, St. Stephen's Cathedral's legendary Pummerin (boomer) bell rings in the New Year much to the delight of the crowds on Stephansplatz.

The Kaiserball (www.kaiserball.at) at the Hofburg and numerous New Year's Eve galas at other venues around Vienna, including City Hall and the capital's luxury hotels, get guests in the party mood.

The last day of the year would not be the same without the traditional performance of Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus at the Vienna State Opera House.

New Year's Day usually gets underway with a hangover breakfast at one of the city's countless coffee houses, or at City Hall Square where the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's New Year's Concert is broadcast on the big screen.

For the first time this year Schönbrunn Palace will host a New Year's market which continues the proud tradition of the Culture and Christmas market held each year in front of this stunning Baroque palace. The much-loved handcrafted wares and delicious refreshments will be supplemented by a number stands offering traditional New Year's gifts

New Year's Trail

Dec 31, 2010
www.wien-event.at