On July 4, it’s all about “Love, Peace & Lots of Rock ’n’ Roll” in Eisenstadt. At the “Lovely Days Festival,” music from the ’60s and ’70s meets award-winning cuisine and delicious wines.
On July 4, you can take a trip back in time in Eisenstadt. At the “Lovely Days Festival” at Esterházy Castle, everything revolves around the ’60s and ’70s, and the theme is “Love, Peace & Lots of Rock ’n’ Roll”. Every year since 2006, the big stars of the '60s and '70s have taken the stage, allowing guests to immerse themselves in past decades. But unlike many other festivals, culinary delights are not neglected here either. We'll show you which places are especially worth visiting before and during the festival.
Every year, the “Lovely Days Festival” draws thousands of visitors to the capital of Burgenland. Esterházy Castle provides the perfect backdrop here: the stars of the '60s and '70s meet the picturesque atmosphere of Burgenland. This year, the best names of both decades will once again grace the stage. The headliner is the “Godfather of Shock Rock”, Alice Cooper, who is known for global hits such as “Poison”, “School’s Out”, and “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, among others. The band Foreigner will also perform their hit songs “Cold as Ice” and “I Want to Know What Love Is”. The band Manfred Mann’s Earth Band will perform “Blinded by the Light”, among other songs, and the cover band Clearwater Creedence Revival will also get the crowd going in July. Other performers include Colosseum, The Troggs, and Hans Theessink & Band.
Even before the festival begins, you'll have the chance to raise a glass in style right near the venue to toast the day ahead. The wine bar “das ROBITZA” is located just a few minutes’ walk from Esterházy Castle and was named Falstaff New Opening of the Year — a true hidden gem. The Pannonian Wine Bar & Restaurant brings the flavors of Pannonia to your plates and glasses. The focus is on wines produced using natural viticultural practices. The host is Konrad Robitza, who, as the son of a family that runs a “Heuriger”, was born with a natural talent for hospitality. With his wine bar, he brings together the flavors of the region in one place, creating an atmosphere that invites guests to linger.
The Pannonia region encompasses areas surrounding the cities of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Belgrade, and Zagreb. It is characterized by multicultural societies that are united by shared traditions, languages, and customs.
The wine list promises great things. In addition to wines from the region, there are also wines from Croatia, Hungary, and other countries. These wines embody the history and tradition of this interconnected region, bring cultures together, and reflect the distinctive influences of their origins. “Das ROBITZA” also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. Handmade sourdough bread is served with spicy kolbász and salami, as well as fresh pickled vegetables. The perfect place to kick off the festival day.
There’s no shortage of culinary delights on the festival grounds either: In the VIP area, top chef Max Stiegl, owner of “Gut Purbach”, provides culinary highlights. The multi-award-winning chef is known for his creative, uncompromising cuisine, which is deeply rooted in the region. The restaurant uses whatever Burgenland has to offer—from wild fowl and vegetables from the Seewinkel region to unusual specialties such as horse head or beaver.
With this unique approach, Stiegl has long since made a name for itself in the local gourmet scene. Not least because of this, he was named Chef of the Year in 2021 and earned a Michelin star. Normally, guests enjoy his distinctive creations at “Gut Purbach”, but on July 4, he will be cooking exclusively at the “Lovely Days Festival” at Esterházy Castle, bringing true culinary excellence to the festival grounds.
We've got you covered even outside the VIP area: Various food stands on the festival grounds offer hearty classics and simple snacks. From Leberkäse to other festival dishes and light snacks for in between, you'll find everything you need for a long day at a concert.
