This year marks Johann Strauss II’s 200th birthday and it’s only expected that Vienna is celebrating the composer’s life at every turn. While of course there are innumerable concerts, operettas, and historical events highlighting The Waltz King’s contribution to Viennese music, there are also some, shall we say, “imaginative” tributes to Johann, from the endearing to the downright batty.
If you happen to find yourself in Vienna in 2025, here are five of the most offbeat events paying tribute to the ¾-time king.
A Strauss sing-along
If you’ve dreamed of belting out Strauss II songs but have no desire to do it from onstage, you can join the masses as part of a makeshift choir at Sing Along, Strauss!. Singers of all talents are invited to gather in Stadtpark by the Danube Mermaid statue (an ode to Strauss Jr.’s Op. 427, which is a guaranteed part of the evening’s repertoire.) Strauss Jr. was once expelled for singing in class, so your can sing loud and proud in solidarity.
Flee-der-haus
Getting trapped in Vienna doesn’t sound so bad to us, but in this case you’ll need to use your waltzy wit to escape. This escape room, titled Shadow of Doubt – In the Mind of a Genius, explores Strauss Jr.’s relationship with fame and encourages you to explore your relationship with your inner self as you try to break out of a locked room.
Fledermaus-querade
If you’re a diehard fan of the Die Fledermaus, your love may extend to the namesake mammals themselves. In honour of Johann Strauss the second you can visit some flying furry creatures at Schönbrunn Zoo with Strauss Flies. The twist? They aren’t exactly bats, but flying foxes. Bats are, by nature of their ways, difficult to see in the daylight so the zoo went with the closest thing. Just consider it a tribute to the operetta’s masquerade.
Strauss II on rotation
Our two favourite reasons to spin in circles are waltzes and Ferris wheels, and finally the two have joined forces. Zeitenwalzer has transformed each of the compartments of Vienna’s giant Ferris wheel into historical snapshots from the 1800s onward into the future. Patrons can switch between pods and learn a little part of history with each spin of the wheel. Of course the experience is all set to the music of Johann Strauus Jr.
Mollusc melodies
If you think waltzing would be tough with two left feet, imagine being an octopus! And a giant, inflatable octopus floating in a pond is just what you’ll see if you swing by Karlsplatz for OCT.opus 25. A divergent connection presumably referencing the composer’s October 25th birthday, a variety of events will surround this octopus, from reenvisioned Strauss works to the promise of Strauss Jr. dancing (we aren’t sure in what form). If you’re tentative about this tentacle-ridden tribute, you can swing by Karlskirche in Karlsplatz where Johann married his second wife.
If you’re all about the abstract, these splashy Strauss events may be up your alley. But if your ideal Strauss celebration is Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert, it’s possible you prefer more traditional forms of celebration. Rest assured, Vienna is teeming with classic tributes to the classical composer. Either way, we promise you there will be no oversized octopuses or flying foxes at Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert.
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