WHAT'S NEW?! #60 - VILLACH IN MARCH 2026

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In March, the private rail operator Westbahn will launch its first services to Villach, the new Education Campus at Stadtpark will officially open, the new season of the initiative “Kärnten radelt” will begin, the new Villach Bonus App will be unveiled, and the Easter season will be ceremoniously ushered in.

• Westbahn launches service on the Southern Line to Villach: Following a successful inaugural journey, Westbahn will begin regular operations on the Southern Line on March 1st, offering a direct connection between Villach, Graz, and Vienna for the first time. The service will initially operate three times daily in each direction, with plans to increase to five daily connections by the end of May. Traveling at speeds of up to 250 km/h, the high-speed train will take around three and a half hours from Vienna to Villach. Tickets for the full route are available from just €18.99, making rail travel significantly more affordable and flexible for both commuters and leisure travelers.

• New Education Campus officially opens: The former site of the Richard Wagner School has been comprehensively redeveloped in just two years and has been transformed into a modern “Education Campus at Stadtpark.” Classes from Khevenhüller Primary School will relocate there, and a new kindergarten will also open on site. The campus offers space for 13 school classes as well as four kindergarten and early childhood groups. The official opening ceremony will take place on March 27th.
   
• Climate protection ideas honored in Villach: This year’s Climate Protection Award of the City of Villach recognized a number of creative and committed initiatives. The Children and Youth Award went to pupils from VS Landskron for their book “Wir reden über Müll” (“Let’s Talk About Waste”), which provides practical, child-friendly guidance on waste separation. Second place was awarded to CHS Villach for its project “Green Chemistry – aus alt wird wow” (“Green Chemistry – Turning Old into Wow”), in which young people create durable bags from used Tetrapaks and fabric scraps. In the adult category, LKH Villach impressed with its “Planetary Health Diet” initiative, promoting healthy and sustainable nutrition.
   
• Villach Aims to Defend Its Title in “Kärnten radelt”: The new season of Kärnten radelt begins on March 20th. The initiative by the Province of Carinthia aims to encourage people to cycle more often. Villach is once again taking up the challenge and hopes to win the city ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Last year, 425 active local cyclists participated, covering a total of 430,000 kilometers. Individuals, schools, clubs, and companies can all take part – and the most active cyclists can once again look forward to attractive prizes. All information and registration details are available at kaernten.radelt.at.
   
• Villach tightens social assistance regulations: In the future, anyone who does not complete a German language course at B1 level and a values and orientation course will face reductions of up to 50 percent in their social assistance benefits. Proof of course completion must be submitted to the city in order to receive payments. At the same time, Villach is expanding its range of integration courses, including a free German course for parents at the Education Campus at Stadtpark. The aim is to further strengthen integration and language skills.
   
• Plan your summer holiday program now: The Youth Office of Villach is once again presenting its “Summertime” holiday program this summer, offering a wide range of exciting activities for children and teenagers – from sports and cultural workshops to overnight camps. All offers, details, and registration options are conveniently bundled on welcome2villach.

• New Villach Bonus App: The new Villach Bonus App combines the City Bonus, Villach vouchers, and the Villach City App into a single application. Vouchers can now be purchased, gifted, and redeemed digitally, while physical cards and tokens remain valid. Users also benefit from a clear overview of partner businesses, special offers, and events – all centrally accessible in one place.
   
• Easter spirit in the city center: From March 26th to April 4th, 2026, Rathausplatz as well as Upper and Lower Kirchenplatz will transform into a colorful Easter paradise, featuring handmade Easter decorations, arts and crafts, and regional specialties. Families can look forward to plenty of fun at the Children’s Paradise on Lower Kirchenplatz, with pony rides, a carousel, a slide, and children’s bungee jumping. The Easter market is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (exception: Holy Saturday, April 4th, 10 am–2 pm).
   
• Events: On March 4th, artistic director Nadja Kayali will present this year’s program of the Carinthian Summer at the Bamberg Hall under the motto “Far and Near.” To mark International Women’s Day, the Women’s Office of the City of Villach invites guests to “Das Fest” on March 7th. Keynote speaker Maren Wölfl will talk about the courage to explore new paths and about gender equality. That same evening, the band Das Schottische Prinzip will present their new album Golden Voyager Record Vol. III at a powerful indie/pop night at Kulturhof. On March 12th, the vernissage of the exhibition “Im Zwischenland” by Laura Roth opens at Galerie Freihausgasse. The works explore nature, habitats, and the traces of human intervention.