Wiener Neustadt festival brings opera, pop and party to city centre

Wiener Neustadt’s city centre will host the three-day Buntes Stadtfest from Thursday to Saturday, with a programme ranging from classical music and pop to party bands, ORF reported.

The festival opens on Thursday evening with the traditional Konzert für Wiener Neustadt by the Wiener Neustädter Instrumentalisten on the main square. Seven2Eight will perform as the support act for the first time. The subsequent classical open-air concert will focus on the world of opera, with soloists Marie-Luise Schottleitner and Steven Fiske.

On Friday, the Lower Austrian band Artett will perform before Alle Achtung! takes the main stage. The Styrian pop band became known for its hit Marie, which earned gold and platinum awards.

Singer-songwriter James Cottriall will provide the opening act on Saturday, followed by Die Wilden Kaiser, who are scheduled to turn the main square into a party zone.

The festival will also feature a children’s programme, an arts and crafts market, street music, a small tourist train, guided tours and open-house events. Schools, clubs and institutions will take part, while around 300 city-centre shops will offer their own activities and promotions.

New additions this year include a Day of the Music School at the Stage4Kids area on Wiener Straße, where the Josef-Matthias Hauer Music School will present itself. The Wiener Neustadt Men’s Choral Society will also mark its 180th anniversary with a choral gathering featuring seven choirs on Saturday morning.

Organisers expect thousands of visitors. Vanessa Maurer of the Wiener Neustadt municipal administration said the combination of events, hospitality, shops and other activities was an important boost for a lively city centre.

Radio NÖ will broadcast a recording of Alle Achtung!’s concert on Saturday, September 12, at 8.05pm.