WHAT'S NEW!? #63 - VILLACH IN JUNE 2026

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In June, Villach drives key developments across budget, energy, mobility, environment, and culture: from a significantly improved 2025 financial result to flagship energy and mobility projects such as a photovoltaic plant on a former landfill site and the launch of hydrogen-powered buses, as well as social initiatives and a diverse cultural and summer programme in the city centre.

• Financial year 2025 ended significantly better than expected: Villach’s 2025 budget year ended far better than forecast despite challenging conditions. The originally projected deficit of €17.2 million was reduced to around €600,000 through consistent savings measures – an improvement of €16.6 million. Savings of approximately €9.8 million in personnel and operating costs, along with a reduction in staffing levels, played a key role. At the same time, the city maintained a high investment volume of €37.2 million, continuing to secure key future areas such as social services, education, and infrastructure. The largest budget area, at €68.3 million, was allocated to social services and hospitals.
   
• Landfill becomes solar power plant: In Müllnern, Austria’s first photovoltaic installation on a closed municipal landfill is being built. Around 11,000 solar panels will generate electricity for approximately 1,450 households and save around 630 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Construction by the Waste Management Association of Villach (Abfallwirtschaftsverband Villach – AWV) has already begun, with completion planned for the end of the year. Beyond renewable energy generation, the project enables a dual use of the site by replacing the otherwise required landfill sealing, while also delivering economic benefits through lower costs and electricity revenues.
   
• Hydrogen bus fleet launches in Villach: A new era of public transport begins in Villach in June. Thirty-five hydrogen-powered regional buses will enter service and be supplied via Austria’s first hydrogen refuelling station for public transport. The green hydrogen is produced at the Kelag electrolysis plant in Arnoldstein, with buses offering a range of up to 400 kilometres per refuelling. This marks a significant step towards low-emission regional transport and strengthens sustainable mobility in Carinthia.
   
• “Pfandolin” makes returning deposit packaging easier: Villach has launched a pilot project called “Pfandolin” to simplify the collection of deposit bottles and cans in public spaces. The first collection unit has been installed at the main square (Rathaus corner), with additional locations in Bahnhofstraße and the municipal recycling centre. The aim is to improve waste separation and make returns more convenient, while also creating social value: collected deposits are passed on to ARGE Sozial, supporting a charitable organisation.

• A subscription full of cultural highlights: The City of Villach’s Cultural Department presents the new subscription programme for the 2026/27 season, inviting audiences to a diverse cultural year of concerts, theatre, and crossover productions. Subscriptions are available now and offer a wide-ranging programme starting in autumn, from classical music and musical theatre to contemporary cross-genre formats featuring international ensembles, renowned artists, and emerging talent.
   
• “Villach singt” turns the city centre into a large open-air stage: On 13th June, Villach’s city centre once again becomes an open-air stage as eleven choirs and vocal ensembles perform as part of “Villach singt”. The repertoire ranges from Carinthian folk songs and classical choral works to international pop music, with performances taking place at various locations throughout the city centre from 9:30 a.m. The highlight is a joint finale at 12 noon on the main square, where the audience is invited to sing along.
   
• Events: From mid-June, Villach kicks off a diverse summer programme full of highlights across the city. The programme begins on June 17th with two events: the platform event „Wir sind Kultur“ invites cultural professionals to Dinzlschloss for exchange and networking, while the „Italo After Work“ at Hans-Gasser-Platz brings a touch of Mediterranean flair to the city centre. Starting June 19th, the Rookie Music Nights will set the tone for summer every Friday with live music throughout the city. On June 22nd, the Public Viewing for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Unterer Kirchenplatz invites visitors to come together and cheer on the matches. Another cultural highlight follows on June 25th with the opening of Herwig Turk’s exhibition at Galerie Freihausgasse, which artistically explores the Tagliamento river. From June 27th, the DRAUpuls multimedia water shows return to the Drauterrassen, taking place throughout the summer on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 pm. Also on June 27th, the summer edition of „The City Rocks“ transforms more than 20 locations across Villach’s city centre into a city-wide live music experience.