This is how much we spend on New Year's Eve

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Raclette instead of quiet, resolutions instead of abstinence. In Vienna, the turn of the year is celebrated with enjoyment, tradition, and conviviality. According to a recent survey by KMU Forschung Austria on behalf of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, 66 percent of Viennese take part in the celebrations. Each of them spends an average of 80 euros on snacks, drinks, decorations, or fireworks.

Full shopping bags and a noticeable boost in trade

Around the turn of the year, many Viennese go shopping once again. Food, lucky charms, and sparkling wine are particularly in demand. 46 percent of those surveyed say they shop specifically for New Year’s Eve. More than half buy delicacies and drinks, while a fifth buy gifts for family or friends. Vienna’s wine shops also generate a significant portion of their annual sales during this period.

“The days between St. Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Eve provide a noticeable boost to Vienna’s retail sector,” says Margarete Gumprecht, chairwoman of the trade division at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. In culinary terms, the turn of the year remains firmly in traditional hands. 27 percent eat a specific dish on New Year’s Eve, with fondue, raclette, bread rolls, cold platters, and salmon being particularly popular. “New Year’s Eve is above all a culinary celebration. The food trade records its highest sales peaks of the year around the holidays,” emphasizes Gumprecht.

Celebrating with family, friends, and classic films

Most Viennese celebrate at home in small groups. Fifty-one percent spend the evening with family or close friends. A quarter are guests at someone else’s home, 18 percent escape the city for a celebration outside Vienna. 12 percent spend the evening in restaurants or bars, and around one in ten plan to visit the Vienna New Year’s Eve Trail. For seven percent, a cultural program is part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations, such as a concert, a ball, or a visit to the theater. The cult film “Dinner for One” remains a fixture of the evening for 14 percent.

Symbolic gestures and traditions are also widespread. 70 percent toast the new year at midnight, 59 percent watch the fireworks, and 47 percent give away lucky charms or small gifts. For many, the Blue Danube Waltz and wax pouring are fixed rituals at midnight.

Resolutions between health and digital breaks

The start of a new year is an opportunity for many to set personal goals. Thirty-eight percent make New Year’s resolutions. The majority want to live healthier, exercise more, or take more time for themselves. Many plan to spend more time with their loved ones or reduce their consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. A quarter want to spend less time on social media, and 18 percent want to do more for the environment and climate.

On December 31, reduced opening hours apply in Vienna. Retail stores may remain open until 5 p.m., grocery stores until 6 p.m. Stores selling flowers, confectionery, or New Year’s Eve accessories may remain open until 8 p.m. On January 1, most stores remain closed; only outlets at train stations or gas stations are open.