Eurovision 2026: a family guide to Vienna
Vienna with kids is a joy at any time, and this spring the city is still buzzing after hosting the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. The Grand Final took place on 16 May at the Wiener Stadthalle, after a week of free concerts and screenings in the Eurovision Village on Rathausplatz. Here is what the contest brought to Vienna, what still makes the city great for families, and how to plan a visit.
What's on: dates, places and prices
Eurovision week is over, but late spring is one of the best times for a family trip to Vienna: parks are green, outdoor pools open and many events move outside.
| What | Where | When | Ages | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurovision Song Contest (just finished) | Wiener Stadthalle and Rathausplatz | 12–16 May 2026 | all ages | – |
| Schönbrunn Zoo | Schönbrunn Palace park | all year | 0+ | mid-range |
| Prater and Giant Ferris Wheel | Leopoldstadt | all year, rides mainly spring to autumn | 2+ | free entry, rides extra |
| Water playground | Danube Island | warm season | 1–12 | free |
| Danube Island Festival | Danube Island | usually late June | 6+ | free |
Price per person: free, budget = under about €10, mid-range = about €10–30, premium = over €30. Approximate; check the official website before you go.
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What's in it for kids by age
Little ones love the zoo and parks, school kids enjoy museums and the Prater, and teens may still be humming the Eurovision songs.
- Toddlers (1–3): Schönbrunn Zoo, the ZOOM baby area, playgrounds and tram rides.
- Preschoolers (3–6): Haus des Meeres, the Prater's gentle rides and the water playground.
- School kids (6–12): dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum and the Haus der Musik.
- Teens: Eurovision memories around the Stadthalle and Rathausplatz, and the Giant Ferris Wheel.
Top attractions and events in Vienna with kids
Combine one big sight per day with parks, cake and a playground.
The contest was held at the Wiener Stadthalle, while the city's official tourism site wien.info lists the events and attractions around it. For families, the classic first stop is Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world's oldest zoo, set in the palace park. Haus des Meeres fills an old flak tower with sharks, reptiles and a tropical house.
Museum fans can head to the ZOOM Kindermuseum in the MuseumsQuartier, the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien with its dinosaurs and meteorites, or the Haus der Musik, where kids can conduct a virtual orchestra, a fitting stop after Eurovision. On warm days, the Wasserspielplatz Donauinsel is a free water playground, and the island also hosts the Donauinselfest, a big free open-air festival usually held in late June.
In the Prater, the Giant Ferris Wheel turns slowly enough for small children, and the old-fashioned amusement park around it has rides for every age. The green Hauptallee next to it is perfect for bikes, scooters and picnics. In Schönbrunn, the palace gardens have a maze and a labyrinth playground, and the Gloriette hill gives older kids a short climb with a big view.
Practical: parking, prams and baby change
Leave the car at the hotel and use Vienna's excellent public transport.
- Public transport: underground, trams and buses are frequent; children travel free or cheaply depending on age.
- Prams: most underground stations have lifts; low-floor trams are easy to board.
- Baby change: museums, shopping streets and larger cafés have facilities.
- Parks: almost every district has a park with a playground.
- City passes: a Vienna city card can include public transport and discounts; compare it with what you plan to visit.
Where to eat nearby
Vienna is a great food city for kids: schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn pancakes, sausages and endless cake. Coffee houses welcome families in the afternoon, and the Naschmarkt has quick snacks. For an easy lunch, many Viennese inns serve small portions for children, and sausage stands are a quick, cheap option between sights. Find kid-friendly restaurants on the Kid.ooo map.
Alternatives if it's busy
If the centre is crowded, head to the Prater's green Hauptallee, the Danube Island or the Vienna Woods. The Vienna Woods begin at the edge of the city, with easy forest walks and views over Vienna. For more Vienna ideas, see our guides to New Year's Eve with kids and the best children's museums. And if your family loves Eurovision, our Liverpool Eurovision guide shows how the 2023 host city welcomed families.
For travel ideas with older kids and teens, follow @wyld_family_travel on Instagram.
More attractions on the Kid.ooo map
Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share attractions, playgrounds and cafés across Europe. Look up things to do with kids in Vienna and save a playground and a cake stop near your hotel.
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Frequently asked questions
Where was Eurovision 2026 held?
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest took place in Vienna, with the semi-finals on 12 and 14 May and the Grand Final on 16 May 2026 at the Wiener Stadthalle. A free Eurovision Village ran on Rathausplatz during contest week.
What are the best things to do in Vienna with kids?
Schönbrunn Zoo, the Prater with its Giant Ferris Wheel, Haus des Meeres, the ZOOM Children's Museum, the Natural History Museum and the water playground on Danube Island are family favourites.
Is Vienna easy with a pram?
Yes. Vienna has wide pavements, many parks and step-free access on most underground stations and trams. Old buildings in the centre can have steps, so a light buggy is easiest.
What is on in Vienna for families after Eurovision?
Late spring brings outdoor season: open-air pools and water playgrounds open, the Prater is in full swing and the big free Danube Island Festival usually takes place in late June.
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