Market Meadow and Racecourse
(Site of the St Veit Fairground Festival)
St Veit Fairground Festival
The St Veit Wiesenmarkt, also known as Wies’n, is one of Austria’s oldest and most important traditional fairs. Its origins date back to 1362, when Duke Rudolf IV granted the town the right to hold an annual market around Michaelmas (Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, celebrated on 29 September).
In 2025, the 662nd Wiesenmarkt was held from 27 September to 6 October.
Key Features
Opening Parade: On the first Saturday of the festival, a large parade with around 1,500 participants makes its way through the town, followed by the official opening and traditional beer tapping on the main square.
Traders’ Market: Around 200 vendors from Austria and neighbouring countries offer a wide range of goods over seven days.
Funfair: Around 40 rides – including classics like the “Break Dance” and the Ferris wheel – provide entertainment for all ages.
Food and Drink: More than 40 catering stands serve traditional Carinthian specialities as well as international dishes. In 2016, around 150,000 litres of beer were poured.
Additional Attractions: Small animal exhibitions, a flea market, a trade fair in the Flower Hall and the “Alternative Wiesn” with bowling, handicrafts and children’s entertainment.
The festival attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year and generates an estimated turnover of up to 20 million euros.
Racecourse Grounds
The racecourse grounds in St. Veit an der Glan serve as the central venue for the fair. Originally a sports field with a capacity of around 2,000 spectators, it was used for football matches until 2005. Today, the site is primarily used for major events such as the fair.
Historical Photographs
Image Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan
Wiesenmarkt Impressions | 1
Wiesenmarkt Impressions | 2
Wiesenmarkt Impressions | 3
Wiesenmarkt Impressions | 4