Which New Year's Eve concert was held in Vienna for the first time on December 31, 1939?

The Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert was first held on December 31, 1939.

The concert is performed by the Vienna Philharmonic in Vienna and is devoted largely to music by the Strauss family and related composers. The first edition took place during the period of Nazi rule, and the event’s early history is connected with the Philharmonic’s wartime-era programming.

After World War II, the concert developed into an annual New Year’s Day broadcast tradition. Its most famous works include the “Blue Danube” waltz by Johann Strauss II and the “Radetzky March” by Johann Strauss I. The audience traditionally applauds during the march, following the conductor’s cues.

Despite the name, the original concert date was New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1939. Later editions were moved to January 1, with additional performances often held on December 30 and December 31. This date change is a frequent source of confusion.