Every town, city and village has at least one festival known as a Fest. Throughout summer it is possible to go to a different festival every week. The festivals attract people from the surrounding areas, many wear national costumes and there is a brass band and accordion playing traditional dance music. Often a singer will yodel, this is a form of singing, which involves singing an extended note which changes very quickly in pitch. A Master of Ceremonies (MC) usually oversees the entertainment and encourages the audience to make toasts by clanking their enormous beer glasses together and singing the traditional toast song, 'Ein Prosit'. Festivals go on until the small hours, often until the last person leaves and many continue over several days.

In winter, many Austrians convene at mountain guesthouses, or Gasthaeuser, where they drink mulled wine called Gluehwein and local beers, socialise and play games. These places also offer traditional Austrian cuisine. In resorts close to the many ski slopes, people finish their last ski run, then go and spend the night in the mountain bar. Some of these bars have music and some have small dance areas. The atmosphere is cosy and often at the end of a long evening villagers will sledge down the snow covered mountain paths in groups.

In Austria’s cities and towns most young people go to their nearest nightclub to dance the night away to a wide selection of music. Disco dancing in Austria often includes a modern version of the fox trot and smaller clubs tend to play a lot of oldies, the real club scene is non-existent outside of the capital. Many bars have live music and serve a wide variety of cuisine and alcohol. It is also possible to get hot beverages like tea, coffee and chocolate. You will see many locals drinking Schnapps, a kind of potent fruit brandy, and playing cards, whilst the young people dance and have fun.