WHAT'S NEW?! #58 - VILLACH IN JANUARY 2026

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In January, Villach kicks off the new year with a new budget, updated bus schedules, a lively New Year’s Eve celebration, the Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup, as well as social initiatives and city investments.

• Villach is focusing on efficiency and progress in 2026: the city council approved a 320-million-euro budget with broad support. Despite a projected deficit of 12.1 million euros, Villach remains financially stable. Around 24.5 million euros are earmarked for key investments, including the new market hall, a second ice rink at the Stadthalle, and urban development projects. Social programs are a particular focus, with 41.9 million euros allocated for initiatives such as “Housing First” and the “Villach hilft” fund. Rising costs are being managed through the ViFit savings program, the photovoltaic initiative, and efficient administration — without taking on new debt.
   
• Villach in sync with the Koralm Railway: With the launch of the Koralm Railway on December 14th, new bus schedules came into effect, offering half-hourly services and additional connections to make transfers easier. Student routes are largely unaffected, while some lines have been renumbered and new routes, like 5C and 36, improve connections to key neighborhoods. Full details are available at the BUS:SI office at Hans-Gasser-Platz or online at villach.at/bussi.
   
• New Year’s Eve in the city: On December 31st, Villach’s city center invites everyone to celebrate the year’s end. Starting at 10 a.m., the “Genussplatzl” at Oberer Kirchenplatz offers culinary delights, while the “Antenne Kärnten” New Year’s DJ brings the party to the Hauptplatz from 2 to 8 p.m. From 9 p.m., “Dr. Südbahn and the SymPartie” take over for a festive start to 2026.
   
• Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup in Villach: On January 5th and 6th, the world’s top female ski jumpers will compete in the Villacher Alpen Arena. Seventy athletes from 19 nations will participate in this high-profile event, held for the fourth time in Villach. The competition will be broadcast live on ORF and German media, drawing thousands of spectators. The award ceremony takes place on January 5th at 5 p.m. at Rathausplatz, featuring a show program with free entry.

• Villach supports people in need: No one in Villach has to face homelessness alone. The city provides assistance through initiatives such as “Housing First,” emergency shelters, and interest-free deposits of up to 1,500 euros. The Social Services department also offers early and sustainable support for rent or energy debt issues.
   
• Honoring women’s engagement: In 2026, Villach will award the Villach Women’s Prize for the third time. With a prize of 3,000 euros, the award recognizes individuals, groups, NGOs, companies, or projects that make a special contribution to women and girls in Villach. Submissions are open until February 28, 2026, at frauen@villach.at.  More info: villach.at/frauenpreis.
   
• Calling young artists: Villach is also awarding the Bruno Gironcoli Support Prize in 2026 to young artists up to 30 years old with a connection to Villach. The prize honors outstanding work, provides a platform for creative visions, and supports artistic development. Applications, including past works and contact details, can be sent to mario.seher@villach.at  by the end of February 2026.
   
• Events: In addition to the New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31st and the Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup award ceremony on January 5th in the city center, early January also offers exciting art and literature events. The exhibition “Mensch, Raum und Zeit” by the association unikART opens on January 13th at Dinzlschloss. On January 15th at 7 p.m., Niclas Anatol will present his exhibition “Formen des Unfassbaren” at Galerie Freihausgasse. Felix Kucher will read from his novel “Von Stufe zu Stufe” at Dinzlschloss on January 20, with free entry.