ESC 2026 in Vienna: How the City Celebrates

The Eurovision Song Contest is coming back to Vienna – and we couldn’t be happier! The ESC is not only the biggest live music show in the world, but above all a celebration of diversity, community, and good vibes. And honestly: when all of Vienna turns into one big party zone, we’re right in the middle of it.

So that you don’t end up looking completely lost, we’ve put together all the important information, background facts, fun facts, and our event highlights surrounding the ESC for you.

What actually happens at the ESC?

At the Eurovision Song Contest, artists from numerous European countries (and a few guest countries such as Australia) compete against each other every year. Each country enters one song – performed live in front of millions of viewers.

Voting follows the classic ESC system: each country awards points twice – from a professional jury and from the public vote. Both award points from 1 to 12 to their favorites (12 points = the highest score). Voting for your own country is not allowed. The combination of jury and public votes ultimately determines the winner.

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle and will span several days:

• First Semi-Final: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
• Second Semi-Final: Thursday, May 14, 2026
• Grand Final: Saturday, May 16, 2026

In addition, there will be numerous side events, public viewings, and parties all over the city. ESC doesn’t just mean watching on TV – above all, it is a live experience.

Austria and the ESC – a special history

Austria shares a long and emotional ESC tradition:

• 1957: Austria took part for the first time. Bob Martin finished in last place with his song “Wohin, kleines Pony?”.
• 1966: Udo Jürgens won Austria’s first victory with “Merci, Chéri”.
• 1967: The ESC was held in Vienna for the first time – at the Hofburg Palace.
• 2014: Conchita Wurst won with “Rise Like a Phoenix”, sending a powerful message of tolerance, diversity, and acceptance. Her victory went far beyond music and was celebrated across Europe as a statement against discrimination.
• 2015: Vienna hosted the contest for the second time and set new standards for the modern ESC.
• 2025: Viennese countertenor JJ impressed both jury and audience with “Wasted Love” and brought the victory back to Austria.

This means Vienna will be welcoming the ESC community for the third time in 2026 – after 1967 and 2015.

Fun fact: Vienna’s traffic light couples

Did you know that the famous Viennese “traffic light couples” were created for the ESC 2015?

On the occasion of the Song Contest (and the Life Ball), Vienna’s traffic lights showed same-sex couples for the first time – as a visible symbol of openness and diversity. The campaign went viral worldwide, became a cult icon, and remains a permanent feature of Vienna’s cityscape to this day.

ESC Events at Schani Hotels

From May 12 to 16, all of Vienna turns into one big ESC stage – with public viewings, events, and plenty of international flair. Of course, we’ll be celebrating the ESC at Schani Hotels too – together with you!

Hotel Schani Wien Hauptbahnhof will become the living room for the biggest moments: we’ll watch the semi-finals together on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as the grand final on Saturday.

For the perfect warm-up, we’re teaming up with ArtNight to invite you to two creative events that are guaranteed to get you into the ESC spirit:

• Thursday, May 14: Pixel Painting “Disco Fruits”
• Saturday, May 16: “Vienna Skyline”

The ArtNight workshops are suitable for everyone – whether you already have experience or are picking up a paintbrush for the first time. After that, we’ll head straight into watching the ESC together. Singing along is explicitly encouraged!

Look forward to ESC-themed drinks and snacks, an amazing atmosphere, and a special surprise that we’re not revealing just yet. Subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss any news!

ESC 2026 will once again show Vienna the way we love it: colorful, open, and loud. And we Schanis are already looking forward to celebrating this special week with you.

Fotos: © WienTourismus/Christian Stemper, WienTourismus/Paul Bauer