Shoppers and locals are heading to Neustift am Walde on 23 August for a colourful mix of tradition and queer culture; QUEER MOMENTS brings musical stars, drag performances and family-friendly events to the Neustifter Kirtag, showing why Vienna’s Heurigen scene and visible diversity fit together.

Essential Takeaways

  • When and where: QUEER MOMENTS takes place on Sunday 23 August from 10:00 at the Fuhrgassl-Huber stand in Neustift am Walde.
  • Line-up highlights: Musical actor Gernot Kranner opens with a family-friendly "Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten," while drag artists Candy Licious, Eric BigClit and The Unfabulous Clitterella perform throughout the morning.
  • Family-friendly vibe: Readings and a children’s book stand, plus face-painting by Lynda Pearce, make the event welcoming for kids and multigenerational visitors.
  • Community focus: The morning includes a queerer Frühschoppen with Johann Rosenhammer and supports a social project, combining celebration with giving back.
  • Atmosphere: Expect dirndls, wine, rainbow accessories and Rainbow-Beats, an upbeat, inclusive spin on a classic Viennese Kirtag.

Why drag and dirndls make sense together this Kirtag

The strongest image here is a packed Heurigen terrace where dirndls and rainbow flags share the same view, and it works. Organisers say bringing QUEER MOMENTS into the public festival space underlines that diversity belongs to everyday Vienna, not just specialised venues. According to the event information, the team deliberately programmed family and community elements, children’s stories, face-painting and open-air performances, to invite people of all ages. If you’re wondering whether your Grätzl will embrace it, this is the format that nudges curiosity rather than confrontation.

What to expect on the programme , friendly, varied and loud in the best way

The day starts at 10:00 with Gernot Kranner’s take on "Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten," a gentle opening that signals the morning is for families too. Drag performers lead much of the hosting and entertainment: Eric BigClit moderates, Candy Licious reads for children and The Unfabulous Clitterella joins in with lip-sync fun. For anyone choosing whether to bring toddlers or teens, the mix of storytelling, music and accessible performances makes it easy to tailor the visit, stay for the Frühschoppen or pop in just for the kids’ slot.

Where it sits in Vienna’s festival scene , local, traditional, and quietly progressive

Neustifter Kirtag has long been a touchstone of local identity, a place for wine, food and neighbourly chat. QUEER MOMENTS plugs into that tradition rather than replacing it; the public programme sits in front of the Fuhrgassl-Huber Heuriger, a familiar Neustift location. Tourism and community listings for the Kirtag frame the festival as a day out, and this year’s queer-focused morning appears in those local guides as a complementary attraction. So if you love the Kirtag for the atmosphere, this adds a colourful, modern strand without changing the core experience.

Practical tips for visitors , how to plan a relaxed visit

Arrive early for a quieter start and to catch the children’s performance at 10:00; face-painting runs until 13:00 so it’s handy for shorter stays. There’s no entrance fee for the public QUEER MOMENTS programme, and the main set-up is at Stand Tatarie Marie in front of the Heurigen, making it easy to combine with a walk through the village or a wine-tasting pit stop. Bring cash for snacks and small purchases; local stall offers and accessory stands often favour quick payments. And pack a light jacket, Neustift can be breezy even in summer.

The scene after the public programme , parties, performances and a charitable note

While the morning programme is public, celebrations continue later at a private birthday gathering inside the Fuhrgassl-Huber Hauer-Kuchl, where DJs and acrobatic rock’n’roll bring a different, high-energy tone. Organisers also highlight that the event is supporting a social project this year, turning festive goodwill into practical help. That blend of party and purpose is a neat reminder that community events can entertain and contribute at once.

It's a small change that can make every Kirtag visit a bit more colourful and a lot more open.

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