3 Free Museums in Vienna: A Family Day Out on Austria's National Day
A Holiday Full of Discoveries: Ancient Books, Egyptian Secrets & Austrian History!
Looking for a fun and free family activity in Vienna? On Monday, October 26, 2026, three fascinating museums open their doors for free to celebrate Austria's National Day.
The magnificent State Hall of the Austrian National Library, the Papyrus Museum and the House of Austrian History invite families to explore extraordinary collections, join guided tours and enjoy hands-on creative activities.
It's a wonderful opportunity to turn a public holiday into an adventure filled with discovery, imagination and family time!
📅 When: Monday, October 26, 2026, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free
📍 Where: Central Vienna, around Josefsplatz and Heldenplatz
1. State Hall of the Austrian National Library – A Library Straight Out of a Fairy Tale
Imagine stepping into a magnificent hall filled with towering bookshelves, beautiful ceiling paintings and around 200,000 historic books.
The State Hall is one of the world's most impressive Baroque libraries, offering children and adults a glimpse into Vienna's imperial past.
What's happening on October 26:
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Short guided tours: between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM, starting every hour and half-hour, approximately 30 minutes each.
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Children's programme, “A Rose-Coloured Journey Through the State Hall”: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM, ongoing.
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Children can create rose-coloured glasses, write a heartfelt letter and discover stories about famous couples from history.
📍 Address: Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
2. Papyrus Museum – Travel Back to Ancient Egypt
What did people write about thousands of years ago? How did they send messages before paper, smartphones and computers?
At the Papyrus Museum, families can discover genuine ancient documents and explore approximately 3,000 years of Egyptian cultural history.
And on Austria's National Day, children can try some ancient-inspired creative activities themselves!
What's happening on October 26:
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Short guided tours in German: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, approximately 30 minutes each.
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Short guided tour in English: 1:00 PM.
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Children's creative activities: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM, ongoing.
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Write hieroglyphs on real papyrus and take your message home.
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Make your own ancient Egyptian scribe figure.
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Dress up as Cleopatra or a pharaoh.
📍 Address: Neue Burg, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna
3. House of Austrian History – Discover History Through Play
Who says history has to be boring?
At the House of Austrian History, families can explore how Austria has changed since 1918. On National Day, the museum offers interactive quizzes, creative workshops and a fun history challenge for children and adults.
What's happening on October 26:
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Create your own Austrian postcard: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM. Use colourful stickers and creative designs to make a unique souvenir.
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Interactive quiz stations, “Do You Understand Austria?”: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM. Test your knowledge at three stations, with a chance to win an annual museum pass.
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Family history treasure hunt: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM. Solve puzzles together and discover interesting facts about Austrian history. Recommended for children aged 6 and above, with a small surprise for those who complete the challenge.
📍 Address: Neue Burg, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna
Explore the National Day programme
💜Our Tip for a Perfect Family Day
All three museums are conveniently located in central Vienna, making it easy to combine several experiences in one day.
Start with the spectacular State Hall, discover ancient Egyptian writing at the Papyrus Museum and finish your adventure with interactive history activities at the House of Austrian History.
Travelling with younger children? Choose one or two museums and leave enough time for breaks, snacks and spontaneous discoveries.
Before heading out, check the official programme pages for any last-minute updates.
Discover More Family Adventures with Yayando! ✨
A free museum day is just the beginning!
On Yayando, you'll find inspiring family-friendly places, cultural experiences, creative workshops and exciting events across Vienna and beyond.
Whether you're planning a long weekend, a school holiday or a spontaneous afternoon adventure, there's always something new to discover together.