Danube Day in Austria

As part of the national Danube Day 2026 celebrations, events will take place both in Vienna and in the Donau-Auen National Park, helping to reach audiences across different locations. The main Danube Day event will be held in the national park, with a strong focus on school classes and experiential learning in nature.

A special highlight will once again be the involvement of Helmi, the Austrian water mascot, helping to communicate key messages on water protection and safety in an engaging and accessible way.

Danube Day at Schloss Orth, Donau-Auen National Park
Visitors, especially school classes, are invited to take part in interactive activities for children across 10 stations in the heart of the Donau-Auen National Park.

• Type of activity: Interactive activities for children
• Location: Schloss Orth, Orth an der Donau, Schlossplatz 1
• Date: 17 June 2026
• Time: 8 AM to 4 PM

Boat Tour with Trash Collection along the Danube
This activity combines a school class boat tour with hands-on riverbank clean-up, raising awareness of litter pollution and encouraging active participation in protecting the Danube.

• Type of activity: Boat tour and trash collection
• Location: From Fischamend to Haslau
• Date: 18 June 2026
• Time: 9 AM to 1 PM 

Readings in schools 
As part of Danube Day 2026, schoolchildren in some schools will be invited to discover the river through readings from The Big Austrian Danube Book for the Whole Family (in Greman: „Das große österreichische Donaubuch für die ganze Familie“) by Arthur Fürnhammer. The book takes young readers on an engaging journey along the Danube, from its source in the Black Forest to its mouth at the Black Sea.

Following the success of similar school readings in 2025, this activity aims to bring children closer to the Danube flowing through their towns and cities. The readings help spark curiosity, strengthen awareness of the river’s importance, and offer children a more personal connection to one of Europe’s great rivers.
Find out more here: 
www.danubeday.at and www.donauauen.at

Vienna Event on Danube Island: LIFE Project “LifeBoat4Sturgeons”
A dedicated event on Vienna’s Danube Island will highlight the LIFE project LifeBoat4Sturgeons, showcasing concrete measures for species protection and river restoration in an urban setting. The Federal Minister is expected to attend.

• Type of activity: Public awareness event on species protection and river restoration
• Location: LIFE-Boat4Sturgeon, Reichsbrücke 215, 1220 Vienna at the Danube Island

Date: 15 June 2026

Find out more here: https://lb4sturgeon.eu/ or book your tour here: https://lb4sturgeon.eu/visit-us