Harvest Festival in Gastein
Festival bidding farewell to summer
When the sun’s rays become milder, slanting through the changing tones of the forests, then it is time to welcome in the autumn. The Gastein Valley celebrates its own special communion with nature and with itself. Join in a celebration of the autumn, with those people who live and work in the Gastein Valley!
Real, genuine heritage and traditions nurtured over the course of centuries, convey to you a colourful picture of life here in Gastein. Harvest Festival begins at the end of August with an exuberant opening celebration. The people of the Gastein Valley present themselves and their towns to us in full festive regalia. “Trachten”, the unmistakable traditional folk costumes of this part of the world, are also integral to the event. Harvest Festival season, which lasts until the end of October, is an opportunity for you to collect so many new and memorable impressions!
As you stop in to enjoy a break at a mountain inn, you will be able to experience folk musicians playing music that has been around for generations. A hike in the hill country may suddenly be transformed into a celebration in its own right, especially if you happen to encounter an “Almabtrieb”, when festively adorned animals are driven from their grazing areas in the mountains, back to their barns in the valley below. At the farmers’ markets, you can sample all kinds of delicacies from Gastein, while the mouth-watering mutton roast, which is traditionally prepared in celebration of sheep returning from the high pastures, is definitely not to be missed.
Gastein’s high-spirited clown, “Pongi”, will keep his Pongi Club open daily from 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. during Harvest Festival for children ages 4 – 12 to enjoy. Fun and games are on the programme for the youngsters, while the parents may wish to enjoy a hill-country hike or perhaps “trip the light fantastic” at one of the festive events during Harvest Festival Weeks.
Celebrate shoulder to shoulder with us and enjoy your autumn getaway in the Gastein Valley! In our cosy hotels and lodging establishments, you will discover the quiet and relaxation you have been craving – and recharge your batteries for the next fun-filled day of Harvest Festival celebrations ahead!