WHAT'S NEW?! #59 - VILLACH IN FEBRUARY 2026

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In February, Villach is in full carnival spirit, offers a variety of winter and ice sports, celebrates sustainable health and education projects, and invites visitors to a colorful lineup of events.

• New health center planned for Villach: From 2027, Villach will gain a newly built, multiprofessional health center as part of the expansion of primary care in Carinthia. The center will relieve the local hospital and offer patients an additional point of care with extended opening hours of 65 hours per week, significantly reducing waiting times. The new building will be located on the site of the former Petschnig car dealership on Schubertstraße, in close proximity to the regional hospital.
   
• Topping-out ceremony for second ice rink: The construction progress of Villach’s second ice rink was celebrated with a topping-out ceremony. The shell of the building is complete, with completion scheduled for October 2026 and the official opening in November. The new rink will strengthen Villach as a sports hub and support recreational, youth, and elite athletes alike. A particular highlight is Austria’s first women’s ice hockey performance center, offering modern training conditions for female athletes. The project is supported by the federal and Carinthian governments with more than €13 million in total.
   
• Mini Educational Lab welcomes 10,000 children: The Mini Educational Lab (MEL), which opened in the fall of 2024 at the tpv Technology Park Villach, has already welcomed thousands of children aged three to six from across Carinthia to explore the world of STEM subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology) in a playful way. The unique facility in Austria is operating at twice the originally expected capacity. This underscores Villach’s pioneering role in early STEM education and aims to integrate STEM content into all Villach kindergartens as naturally as singing or physical education – promoting equal opportunities for girls and boys.
   
• Evening shuttle and increased frequency make the Dobratsch Nature Park bus even more attractive in February: Whether sledding, winter hiking, or enjoying the five-kilometer cross-country trail in the Alpine Garden, Dobratsch has plenty to offer in winter. Until the end of February, the evening bus runs every Friday from Villach to Rosstratte, complementing the regular schedule. During the semester break, the shuttle also transports outdoor enthusiasts to the mountain daily. A round-trip ticket costs €5, and children and teenagers up to 18 ride for free.

• Carnival takes over Villach’s city center: February 14th, Carnival Saturday, promises an unforgettable day full of fun, music, and color. From 9 a.m., live broadcasts, interviews, and first glimpses of the festivities will kick off as the Villacher Faschingsgilde (Villach Carnival Guild) visits decorated local businesses. Highlights include the children’s party at Oberer Kirchenplatz, the Radio Flamingo Schlager Party at Nikolaiplatz, and the ceremonial handover of the keys to the princely couple. At 2 p.m., the grand parade begins, featuring hundreds of masked groups and decorated floats. From 3 p.m., Antenne Kärnten hosts the carnival disco at Unterer Kirchenplatz, followed by the awarding of the most impressive masks at 5 p.m. All program details are available here.
   
• Bilingual classes at the Khevenhüller School secured: Thanks to hundreds of signatures and local political support, the bilingual German-English program – initially threatened by budget cuts – will continue in the 2026/27 school year at the Khevenhüller School in Villach. The state is providing the necessary funding, securing this exemplary bilingual model for another year.
   
• Ice skating fun in Villach’s city center until February 12th: Until mid-February, Eiszeit at Rathausplatz invites visitors to enjoy ice skating in the heart of Villach. The ice rink is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering winter fun for all ages. In the first week of February, opening hours are reduced due to an ice-stock tournament: 02/02 (9–11 a.m.), 03/02 (9 a.m.–12 p.m.), and 04/02 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
   
• Events: In February, Villach shows its most colorful side. Alongside carnival festivities, there’s also an Olympic atmosphere in the city center: From February 7th to 22nd, a public viewing tent at Hans-Gasser-Platz will screen winter sports highlights on a large video wall, complemented by live music, party vibes, and regional specialties. Music fans can look forward to the Rose Monday Concert with the Drauphilharmonie at the Congress Center on February 16th, while the city’s top language talents compete in the foreign language competition on February 19th, followed by the “La Boum!” gala in the Bamberg Hall. Art lovers can visit the exhibition “Forms of the Unfathomable” by Niclas Anat at the Galerie Freihausgasse until February 28th.