Heindl celebrates Chocolate Museum anniversary

For 25 years, the Heindl Chocolate Museum in Vienna has combined chocolate enjoyment, craftsmanship, and company history. Opened in 2001 directly at the Heindl confectionery 's production site in Vienna-Liesing, the museum now attracts around 65,000 visitors annually. To mark the anniversary, the family-owned company is launching several new initiatives – from a new film in the Chocolate Cinema and a modernized branch to the grand Chocolate Maroni Festival on October 3, 2026.

For the Austrian confectionery and sweets industry, the anniversary is also an example of how production, experience, and brand world can be combined. Visitors not only see how pralines, wafer specialties, and well-known Heindl and Pischinger products are made, but can also participate in workshops and experience chocolate firsthand.

65,000 visitors per year

The Chocolate Museum underwent extensive modernization last year and caters to visitors from Vienna and the surrounding area as well as international guests. Museum director Katharina Haase reports that approximately 65,000 people visit the museum annually.

A key element of the concept is the immediate proximity to production. Visitors gain insights into the manufacturing process and can observe how Heindl and Pischinger products are sometimes crafted using elaborate handwork.

In addition, there are three chocolate fountains and freshly produced samples in the museum area. Besides the tasting, the exhibition conveys knowledge about cocoa, chocolate, confectionery production, and the development of the Viennese family business.

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Hands-on crafts

The museum doesn't focus solely on exhibitions and information. Visitors can participate actively in various workshops. These include a chocolate-making workshop titled "Mozart & Sissi" and a " Pischinger Torte Workshop ."

This allows guests to experience traditional confectionery craftsmanship firsthand. Managing Director Andreas Heindl emphasizes that the museum has been combining enjoyment, local production, and the history of the family business for 25 years.

New film at the Chocolate Cinema

To mark the anniversary, the Chocolate Cinema was also relaunched. A short film offers insights into the company's operations, focusing on product manufacturing, the product range, and the people behind Heindl.

The film also highlights the long-standing partnership withFairtrade . Confiserie Heindl has been a partner of the Fairtrade cocoa program since 2014 and, according to its own statements, uses only chocolate made with 100 percent fair trade cocoa for all its products.

Branch in Vienna-Liesing redesigned

Alongside the museum, the site in Willendorfer Gasse was also further developed. The Heindl branch, located directly at the company headquarters, recently reopened after modernization.

The redesign was the work of architect Alfred Leitl , who had already redesigned the foyer of the Chocolate Museum in 2025. The aim is for the museum, production, and sales areas to be perceived even more strongly as a unified visitor experience at this location.

Chocolate Chestnut Festival for the Anniversary

The main anniversary date is October 3, 2026. This year's annual Chocolate Maroni Festival will explicitly celebrate the museum's 25th anniversary.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can sample chocolate-covered chestnuts fresh off the production line, among other things. In addition, there will be freshly produced samples from the Heindl and Pischinger product range, as well as appearances by the mascot, Chocolate Tiger Theo.

Chocolate-making workshops are also offered for children and teenagers. Prior registration is required for these workshops.

Viennese family business since 1953

The history of the Heindl confectionery company goes back much further than that of the museum. Walter Heindl Senior founded the company in Vienna in 1953. Today, the family business operates 29 branches throughout Austria and employs around 270 people.

In 2006, Heindl acquired the Viennese wafer specialist Pischinger. Production and the Chocolate Museum remain at the company headquarters in Vienna-Liesing. In addition to its own stores, the products are also sold through grocery retailers and are available beyond Austria's borders.

Confiserie Heindl :
Walter Heindl GmbH
29 branches in Austria
approximately 270 employees
Company headquarters and production in Vienna-Liesing