WHAT'S NEW?! #40 - VILLACH IN JULY 2024

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In July, there are new attractive offers in public transport, the free summer bus card, the opening of school sports facilities, and numerous exciting summer events.

• Sports throughout the summer: Again this year, selected school sports facilities in Villach will be accessible to the public. Sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to use the facilities for basketball, soccer, beach volleyball, and other activities. The opening hours are from July 8th to September 5th. Accessible sports fields include the Völkendorf Middle School, Pogöriach Elementary School 12, the Carinthian Tourism School (KTS), and the Landskron School Center. Additionally, the play areas of the kindergarten Auf der Tratten (from August 5th to 30th) and the Friedenspark (from August 5th to 23rd) invite free play and movement.
   
• Micro-Bus:si starts: From the end of June, the Micro-BUS in Villach offers improved accessibility to individual districts. Residents of Schütt, Wollanig, Vassach, Heiligengeist, and Maria Gail benefit from a more frequent or new route of the barrier-free minibusses. Additionally, passengers from Ober- and Unterwollanig, Gritschach, Serai, and Kartschach can order one of the four minibusses to defined stops by phone. The new bus service is available Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
   
• Free to the lake with the summer bus card: Again this year, the "Summer Bus" conveniently brings Villach residents to the beach resorts at Lake Faak. A free ticket is available to residents of Villach and is valid from June 27th to September 30th. The summer bus card can be found in the current issue of the city newspaper or picked up at the Citizens' Service in the Town Hall and at the BUS:SI office at Hans-Gasser-Platz.
   
• Cinema under the stars: The summer cinema in Villach promises unique film highlights in the picturesque setting of the city. The program offers a diverse selection from classics to Hollywood blockbusters to arthouse films. Highlights include "To the Moon" with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum or "The Bikeriders" with Austin Butler and Tom Hardy. The summer cinema features a total of 28 films, including Oscar winners and family-friendly blockbusters. Additionally, there is a "Sneak-Retroview" with a film classic. More information and the full program are available at www.kinosommervillach.at.

• World-class music festival: The Carinthian Summer in Villach will open on July 6th with a grand orchestra concert. The ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna (RSO) will perform under the direction of conductor Joana Carneiro. The festival offers a wide range of events: classical concerts, chamber music, readings, new music, Fado from Lisbon, music hikes, and much more. Further information and tickets are available on the official homepage of the Carinthian Summer.
   
• Events: In July, Villach offers an exciting event program. The city's summer program can be enjoyed at football European Championship BBQ evenings and with street artists in the city center. On July 3rd, the street food market in Widmanngasse invites you to savor delicacies from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. From July 3rd to 7th, the freely accessible Spectrum Festival at Rathausplatz presents theater, dance, and performances. Other highlights of the month include the fashion show of local boutiques at Rathausplatz on July 19th and the start of the 79th Villach Kirchtag on July 28th.