WHAT'S NEW!? #62 - VILLACH IN MAY 2026

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In May, Villach presents its diverse summer program for the city center and the Dobratsch Nature Park. In addition, there is news about the housing initiative, the reopening of the popular Carinthia Relief after its modernization, and a special theme week dedicated entirely to sustainability.

• 450 new apartments for Villach: As part of the housing initiative, Villach is continuing the expansion of affordable living space, creating around 450 new subsidized apartments over the next few years. The city is providing land to housing associations at favorable conditions for this purpose. Subsidies from the Province of Carinthia make it possible to offer rents below market levels. Several projects are currently under construction or planned in various districts, such as St. Magdalen (35 apartments), St. Leonhard (75 apartments), Maria Gail (24 apartments), St. Martin (12 apartments), and Völkendorf (111 owner-occupied apartments). A total of around 60 million euros will be invested as part of the housing initiative.
   
• Villach's colorful summer program: The "most beautiful living room in Carinthia" – Villach's city center – once again invites visitors to a diverse program of events with music, markets, as well as sports and cultural events. Highlights include five After Work Markets, "The City Rocks" concert series, and live broadcasts of the Football World Cup on a large LED video wall. The flower market in early May, street artists and circus programs in July, and the Villacher Kirchtag (Villach Fair) offer entertainment for the whole family. In addition, the city center will be a vibrant stage for locals and guests through campaigns like the "Shopping Star Villach" and the "Long Night of Dance."
   
• Caritas relocates to the Khevenhüller School building: Starting in September, Caritas will relocate its "School for Social Care Professions" and learning cafés to the building of the former Khevenhüller School. Around 150 students will attend the daytime and evening programs there. Additionally, a day class in specialized social care for disabled support will be opened. This interim solution is planned for three years, before municipal departments move into the building in 2029.

• Carinthia Relief even more attractive: The historic relief in Schillerpark has been extensively modernized and digitized for 130,000 euros. Starting May 2nd, the largest landscape sculpture in Central Europe presents itself with state-of-the-art technology: High-resolution video projections thanks to high-performance projectors brings geographical features and historical developments to life. Interactive content can also be experienced via Augmented Reality on smartphones and with headsets. A special technical highlight is the scale-accurate integration of the route of the new Koralm railway into the relief.
   
• Villach dedicated to sustainability: From May 4th to 9th, the Rathausplatz will be transformed into a hub for circular economy, with exciting workshops, a Repair Café, and a fashion show. A special highlight of the ReUse Spring is the sale of around 40 repaired lost and found bicycles at fair prices. The campaign aims to showcase the value of second-hand goods and extend their lifespan.
   
• Summer adventures on Villach's local mountain: Starting May 1st, the Dobratsch Nature Park offers around 120 varied summer program points and thus transforms into an exciting adventure space for the whole family. From astronomical night tours to bat observation and guided hiking tours – nature can be experienced here in a unique way. This year, a special focus is on the connection between nature experience and raising awareness.

• Events: May in Villach promises a captivating mix of nature experiences, culture, and action: On May 1st and 2nd, the traditional Flower Market transforms Hans-Gasser-Platz into a fragrant sea of colors. Sports enthusiasts can follow action-packed paddle races at the popular THE LAKE ROCKS SUP Festival from May 14th to 17th, participate themselves, or simply enjoy the lively festival atmosphere at Lake Faaker See. Musical highlights are provided by the Wiener Concert-Verein on May 4th with a world premiere in the Congress Center, and the Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss am Rhein and the Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble on May 21st with a concert that unites classical music and tango. The first After Work Market of the season on May 1st promises sociable hours, and the "Silbersee-Opening" on May 29th will officially kick off summer with the legendary Holi party.