WHAT'S NEW?! #55 - VILLACH IN OCTOBER 2025

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In October, Villach introduces the Green Zone, celebrates 40 years of the Climate Conference and 30 years of Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, reports positive results in expanding kindergarten places, tests its sirens as part of the annual civil protection drill, and invites residents to a variety of events.

• More space for Villach’s youngest residents: Since 2020, Villach has been investing heavily in expanding educational and childcare services. By 2027, a total of 539 new places in kindergartens and daycare centers will be created—a growth that far exceeds the originally planned 100 new childcare places. Even now, the city significantly surpasses the EU-defined “Barcelona targets” for children aged one to three. By 2027, Villach aims for a coverage rate of 53 percent in this age group and even 100 percent coverage for children of kindergarten age. This creates ideal conditions for balancing family and work life better.
   
• Green Zone from October 1st in Villach: In October, Villach introduces a so-called Green Zone in addition to the short-term parking zone. In this new, fee-based zone, the three-hour parking limit that applies in the short-term parking areas does not apply. The fees are moderate: 40 cents per half hour, with a maximum of 4 euros per day. Residents can purchase discounted annual passes for 100 euros. Austria’s unique 20-minute free parking rule remains in effect in the Green Zone. The Green Zone North stretches from Gaswerkstraße to Ossiacher Zeile and from Brauhausgasse to Dreschnigstraße, while the Green Zone South is bounded by Peraustraße and, from Hausergasse, by Pestalozzistraße, Italiener Straße, and Ossiacher Zeile. Free parking remains available at “Elite,” “Drauboden,” and “Lind.” A new regulation will also apply in the tpv Technology Park from October 15th: three parking areas will become fee-based.

• Villach celebrates 40 years of the Climate Conference: In October 1985, Villach hosted a climate conference that laid the foundation for global climate policy. Four decades later, on October 22nd, the city invites residents to “Villach in Dialogue” at the Congress Center to discuss climate justice and the costs of climate protection. The keynote lecture will be given by Barbara Blaha, director of the Momentum Institute, followed by a panel discussion with local experts and entrepreneurs. Additional program highlights include the documentary Requiem in White shown at the city cinema on October 21st, and a climate walk through the city center on October 23rd, showcasing locations where climate adaptation is visible.
   
• A blooming future at the train station: The western station square is becoming part of the Green Axis and will receive trees and two colorful green spaces, which will both enhance the cityscape and contribute to climate adaptation. Work—including the removal of approximately 240 square meters of sealed surfaces and the planting of elm and hornbeam trees—is expected to be completed by mid-November.
   
• Sirens wail again in Villach on October 4th: The annual civil protection drill will take place between 12 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., during which the city’s 24 sirens will be tested. In addition, smartphone users will receive two notifications via the digital warning system AT-Alert—one before the drill begins and one after it ends. The aim is to verify the functionality of the warning system and prepare residents for emergency situations.
   
• CUAS celebrates 30 years: On October 1st, the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences at the tpv Technology Park Villach celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its founding, 11,649 students have been educated there. For the anniversary, Martin Waiguny takes over as the new managing director, succeeding Siegfried Spanz, who shaped the university for 19 years. Going forward, CUAS will focus more on internationalization, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
   
• ORF Long Night of Museums: On October 4th, Villach invites residents from 6 p.m. to midnight to the ORF Long Night of Museums, covering seven exciting locations with just one ticket. The Museum of the City of Villach offers hourly tours of the special exhibition How Wars End, accompanied by a varied supporting program. Peter Jellitsch presents data-stream-inspired artworks at the Galerie Freihausgasse. The Kärnten relief, Dinzlschloss, Galerie im Markushof, Haus der künstlerischen Begegnung and KK-Galerie complete the diverse offerings. It promises an evening full of art, movement, and exciting discoveries for all ages.
   
• Orchard Festival at Rathausplatz: On October 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Orchard Festival (“Streuobstfest”) will take place. Highlights include a workshop on fruit variety identification, a lecture on harvesting and storing fruit, and an apple variety exhibition. The festival combines educational content with enjoyment for the whole family.
   
• Events: October in Villach offers cultural highlights such as the ORF Long Night of Museums on October 4th and exciting readings as part of Carinthia’s Crime Festival from October 1st to 26th. Music lovers can look forward to a performance by the “Duo Klagtreff” on October 3rd and a concert by multi-instrumentalist Alessandro Quarta on October 13th at the Congress Center Villach. The Villach Cultural Forum also kicks off a high-caliber autumn program, starting on October 3rd with Carinthian guitarist Primus Sitter & Friends. On October 10th, ZINN will perform their new album Chthuluzän, supported by singer-songwriter Anna Ebner, at the Kulturhof.