Winterwunder expands to boost Burgenland year-round tourism

Burgenland is expanding its Winterwunder events programme to attract visitors beyond the summer season, ORF reported. The initiative will involve 50 partners this year, up from 28 previously.

Governor Hans Peter Doskozil and tourism director Didi Tunkel presented the programme at a news conference in Eisenstadt on Tuesday. Doskozil said that establishing a flagship project benefits the entire region by increasing overnight stays and day visitors.

The state began developing the programme in 2024 with a large Christmas nativity scene at the Mörbisch lake stage. Concerns that the project would compete with other events had not been borne out, Doskozil said. Instead, the events had supported one another.

Winter markets are expected to be a major draw. Tunkel said Burgenland could not offer skiing, but studies showed that winter markets were important attractions for winter tourism. Alongside the nativity scene and a light park, this year’s programme will include a 30 by 30 metre light labyrinth.

About 30,000 people visited the lakeside municipality last year, and organisers are aiming for at least 35,000 this year, Tunkel said. Other events under the Winterwunder brand include Podo on Ice in Podersdorf, the Christmas market in Eisenstadt and Esterhazy’s Advent markets.

Winterwunder will also be promoted at the Advent market in Schönbrunn using a smaller replica of the Mörbisch nativity scene. The Gollnhuber family’s Christmas House in Bad Tatzmannsdorf is also part of the programme.

Schlaining will host two major events for the first time: Burg Geflüster around Halloween and, following three weeks of renovations, a medieval Christmas event. Claudia Priber, managing director of Burgenland’s cultural enterprises, said the entire castle would become part of the spectacle.

The Eisenstadt Cultural Centre will also stage Lebkuchenland for the first time, including an indoor ice rink.