From the amateur art fair to film highlights to a zither concert, Vienna offers art from A to Z in June

From 1 to 23 June the creative power of Vienna can be seen, heard and felt again all over the city at this year’s District Festival. Standing at a bus or tram stop you might suddenly find yourself in the middle of a Busbimslam – an event designed to shorten your waiting time with poems. Music is also lurking around every corner: from the music market (where the market becomes a stage) to operetta tunes in the park to classical music at catering stalls or on the banks of the Wien river. Pavement concerts, tours of artists’ studios, exhibitions and living-room concerts complete the extensive festival programme that lists 400 events.

On screen and on stage

The VIS short film festival from 6 to 10 May boasts a packed programme of 180 films, including works by Martin Scorsese and Jean Genet. An Austrian competition provides fascinating insights into local filmmaking. Features like Airbed Movies and a Trash Night give the festival that special something.

Another festival with that special something is the annual Wiener Festwochen. Until 17 June Vienna once again lives up to its reputation as a theatre city with a wide range of both international and Austrian productions.