Taylor Swift‘s The Eras Tour shows in Vienna, scheduled for Aug. 8, 9, and 10 may be cancelled, but it hasn’t dampened the spirit of Swifties in Vienna, who have transformed the city into a celebration of Taylor’s music and community.
The cancellation came after Austrian authorities arrested two suspects on Aug. 7, who were reportedly planning an attack on the concerts. According to police reports, the suspects had radicalized online and intended to carry out an attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, where the shows were set to take place.
The decision to cancel the concerts was made in coordination with Swift’s management and local authorities, with the safety of the expected 65,000 concertgoers each night being the top priority.
In the wake of the cancellations, fans in Vienna took to the streets on Aug. 8 to make the most of their time in the city and meet fellow fans.
One of the most heartwarming scenes unfolded on Corneliusgasse, a street in Vienna that shares a name with Swift’s song “Cornelia Street.” Here, fans traded handmade friendship bracelets and hung them from trees, strengthening the connections they’ve formed through Swift’s music.
In one particularly sweet moment caught on video and shared on social media, two Taylor Swift fans got engaged in Vienna in their very own “Love Story.”
The touching proposal was met with cheers and tears from the gathered fans, adding a special note of joy to an otherwise challenging day.
According to fans on social media, local businesses and cultural institutions also extended their support to the disappointed fans.
Several museums offered free entry to those holding concert tickets, while cafes and restaurants provided complimentary food and drinks.
In the face of fear and uncertainty, Swifties have turned a cancelled concert into a city-wide celebration of resilience, music, and friendship—a true reflection of the spirit of Swift’s Eras Tour.