"Major Safety Task": Vienna New Year's Eve Trail is Just Around the Corner

The upcoming New Year's Eve will once again be celebrated in Vienna. At the center of the festivities is the New Year's Eve Trail. The 34th edition offers an open-air program at a total of eight locations in the city center and at the Giant Ferris Wheel Square in the Prater. This major event organized by City of Vienna Marketing also marks the start of the Song Contest year - including a countdown clock at City Hall Square.

ESC-Clock in Vienna

Counting down the seconds until midnight on New Year's Eve is a tradition. The ESC-Clock at City Hall Square, however, only starts at this point. Right at the beginning of the new year, it begins its operation. From this moment, it shows the remaining time until the final on May 16, 2026.

According to City of Vienna Marketing, the installation consists of a large-format LED wall, which will be set up directly on the Ringstraße. The Song Contest is already at the center of events at City Hall Square in the hours before the turn of the year. On the stage there - the largest on the New Year's Eve Trail - songs from seven decades of the ESC will be presented under the motto "Best of Eurovision."

The songs will be performed live by Benny King and Christiana Uikiza. The duo will be accompanied by an eight-piece band. The program will be framed by DJ Alex List. The City Hall and the square in front of it will also play a significant role in May. Because, as in 2015, City Hall Square will once again host the "Eurovision Village."

The official ESC fan mile, where the shows from the Stadthalle will be broadcast, can be visited daily with free admission. The "Euroclub," the official event center, will be set up in the City Hall halls. The club was stationed at the Ottakringer Brewery in 2015.

New Year's Eve Trail from 2 PM

At the New Year's Eve Trail, which is officially open from 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM, an extensive music program with a mix of numerous styles and genres is offered, aside from the Song Contest focus. In addition, there are numerous food stalls where, besides edibles, punch and sparkling wine are served. In addition to City Hall Square, the Freyung, Am Hof Square, Stephansplatz, Kärntner Straße, and the New Market are among the locations featured.

The Graben transforms once again into the largest ballroom in the city, where waltz crash courses are offered in the afternoon. The winter market in the Prater is also part of the party mile again. And for those who are already fit enough on January 1st and haven't secured tickets for the Musikverein, the New Year's concert can also be celebrated outdoors. It will be broadcast live to Stephansplatz and the Prater.

Approximately 800,000 visitors are expected at the Vienna New Year's Eve Trail. Many of them will be tourists staying in the city. According to the Chamber of Commerce, almost all 42,000 guest rooms in the city are likely to be booked for the New Year.

Dedicated Control Center Established

As the organizers emphasized on Monday, a comprehensive safety and operational concept will be implemented again. A dedicated control center has been established to coordinate between organizers and emergency services. A key element of the concept is an area-wide video surveillance system. This is complemented by a sound system that can be used for targeted announcements if necessary.

Additionally, digital displays and screens at critical points continuously provide current information. More than 500 security personnel are also deployed. Preliminary security barriers at the access points have also been announced. From a certain point in time, access to the stage locations will only be possible through special entrances where checks will be conducted.

There, it can also be checked whether prohibited items have been brought along. These include, not least, pyrotechnic articles. Firecrackers and rockets are strictly prohibited on the New Year's Eve Trail. The organizer itself also refrains from fireworks. "The Vienna New Year's Eve Trail is not only a festive celebration for the New Year but also a major logistical and safety challenge," emphasized Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) during a visit to the control center.

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(APA/Red)

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