# Villacher Fasching – a spectacle for the whole family

> URL: https://apartments-villach.at/en/blog/villacher-fasching-a-spectacle-for-the-whole-family  
> Language: en  
> Description: A hearty LEI LEI from Villach – probably the best-known Fasching town in Austria. Here the fools hold the sceptre every year from 11.11. onwards. The highlight of the Villacher Fa…

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*A hearty LEI LEI from Villach – probably the best-known Fasching town in Austria. Here the fools hold the sceptre every year from 11.11. onwards. The highlight of the Villacher Fasching is always Fasching Saturday, when all the locals and holidaymakers celebrate exuberantly in costume on the Hauptplatz and marvel at the parade.*

**Background on the Villacher Fasching**

The Villacher Fasching first appeared in the history books in 1867. From 1910 a farmers’ ball was held every year, the proceeds of which the organiser “die Bauerngman” donated to charitable organisations. In 1955 the idea for the Villacher Fasching was born. Just three years after it was introduced, more than 50 Villach businesses were already taking part in the spectacle. The first Villacher Faschingssitzung took place in the Arbeiterkammer in 1961. In 1964 the Villacher Faschingsgilde emerged from the Bauerngman. The highlight of the Villacher Fasching is the parade on Fasching Saturday, which leads through the entire town centre. The crowd of participants is a colourful mix. From local businesses and local clubs to an international audience, everything is there.

**Villacher Faschingssitzungen**

The first preparations for the sessions begin as early as spring, and rehearsals start in September. Choreographies are learned, new songs composed and sketches rehearsed. The members also have to check the technical equipment, build the stage sets and sew the costumes.

The four-hour programme starts after Epiphany and is performed every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until one week before Fasching Saturday. That adds up to an attendance of 10,000 to 16,000 Fasching enthusiasts per season. On Fasching Tuesday the best excerpts are broadcast on ORF’s main programme.

You will find all the dates for the Faschingssitzung here: [Faschingssitzungen](https://villacher-fasching.at/veranstaltungen/)

**Villacher Faschingsumzug**

The annual highlight of the Villacher Fasching takes place on Fasching Saturday. Staff in the surrounding shops serve their customers in costume, and music groups get the mood going from early in the morning. There is also an extensive programme of fun for children.

The crowning finale is the Fasching parade in the afternoon. More than 150 groups with over 3,000 people in fancy dress provide unforgettable entertainment for the roughly ten thousand visitors.

This year the parade takes place on **18 February from 14:00**.

You will find more information about the supporting programme here: Villacher [Faschingsumzug 2023](https://villacher-fasching.at/portfolio/faschingssamstag/)

**Accommodation in Villach**

Anyone still looking for accommodation for the Faschingssitzung or the parade has come to exactly the right place in our apartment building. The apartments are very centrally located. You can reach the pedestrian zone and the town centre on foot in just a few minutes. We also offer room for the whole family in our generously sized living units.

Reservation enquiries directly by e-mail to [villach@apart-of-me.at](mailto:villach@apart-of-me.at).