Side Activities
Joint Programme (optional)
St. Pölten City Tour & Christmas Market
- Date: 2 December 2026 (Wednesday)
- Time: 18:00 (tbc)
Discover St. Pölten on a guided walking tour through Austria’s oldest provincial capital. Explore the historic city centre and learn more about its Baroque architecture, cultural landmarks and local history. The tour will be followed by a visit to the Christmas market, where participants can enjoy the festive atmosphere, seasonal specialities and traditional hot drinks.
Conference Dinner
- Location: USTP canteen
- Date: 3 December 2026 (Thursday)
- Time: 18:00 (tbc)
Enjoy a cozy evening with an authentic Austrian atmosphere, featuring traditional food, hot wine or Punsch, and a festive Christmas market feeling.
Recommendations for visiting Lower Austria and Vienna
Krampus parade
Experience a traditional Austrian Krampus parade in the festively decorated Sparkassenpark in St.Pölten, accompanied by an atmospheric Christmas market offering regional food, hot drinks, music, and seasonal entertainment. Further programme details will be announced on the official website.
Stift Melk
Visit the famous Benedictine abbey in Lower Austria. It sits on a rock above the Danube river next to the Wachau valley. Built in the Baroque style between 1702 and 1746, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major cultural center. The city of Melk and its Christmas market are also worth seeing!
Vienna & Christmas Markets
Vienna is only around 30 minutes from St. Pölten by train, making it an ideal destination for a half-day or evening excursion. Visit the city center and the St Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, Schönbrunn and learn about Imperial Austria. Famous museums include the Belvedere, the Albertina or the MUMOK. And of course, there are Christmas markets everywhere!
Further Information:
Linz – Ars Electronica
You can get to Linz from St. Pölten in less than 1 hour to visit the famous Ars Electronica. The “Museum of the Future” explores how art, technology, and society shape our lives through interactive exhibits on artificial intelligence, robotics, and media art.