Official opening

Christmas lights in Vienna shine again

Christmas lights on Rotenturmstraße(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

On Friday, Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) switched on the Christmas lights. Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck was also present. A total of 31 shopping districts and streets are now illuminated.

The Christmas tree at the Christmas market on Rathausplatz has been lit up since Wednesday, and tomorrow, Saturday, Ludwig and Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), Governor of Lower Austria, will light up the Christmas tree.

"The festive Christmas lights are not only a shining symbol of hope and contemplation in our city, but also a shining example of the successful cooperation between the City of Vienna and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce," said Ludwig on Friday. The funding for Christmas lighting had been increased this year in order to support local businesses "in these challenging times".

Lighting on the Graben(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

At the Kohlmarkt(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

From left: Mayor Michael Ludwig and Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

The city is promoting the lighting together with the Vienna Business Agency and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. "The Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the overall annual coordination - for example, for coordinating with all specialist departments regarding requirements, subsidies, safety inspections and liability insurance," said Ruck.

The lighting is then financed by the companies in the respective shopping streets. These include Annagasse, Graben/Trattnerhof and Kohlmarkt in the city center, as well as Innere Mariahilferstraße, Josefstädter Straße and Seestadt Aspern in other districts.