Brahms Festival in Lübeck ©LTM (Olaf Malzahn)

Inspiring Germany

8 classical music festivals: Germany vivace!

Sometimes they pay homage to a composer, sometimes to a musical genre, sometimes to art itself – but these classical music festivals are always a first-class experience. Year after year, they offer something new!

Mozartfest Würzburg: famous sounds, interpreted creatively

The image shows the magnificent setting of the Würzburg Residence during the Mozart Festival. In a grand Baroque hall, an orchestra performs classical music for an enthusiastic audience. Mozart Festival in the Würzburg Residence ©Mozartfest Würzburg (Dita Vollmond)

From 'A Little Night Music' to 'The Magic Flute', Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart created numerous and timeless masterpieces of classical music. These can be enjoyed at Germany's largest and oldest Mozart festival, which has been held in Würzburg in Lower Franconia since 1921. True to the motto 'unusual formats for unusual talent', orchestras, ensembles and soloists of international renown play there – sometimes in the Residence, sometimes in a wine cellar or even in a pop-up disco.


Potsdamer Schlössernacht: cultural spectacle in a spectacular park

Illuminated Sanssouci Palace and fountain, crowd in the garden during the Potsdam Palace Night Potsdam: Potsdamer Schlössernacht, Schloss Sanssouci ©DZT (Jens Wegener)

Situated in the state capital of Brandenburg, Sanssouci Park definitely deserves its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Here, the very best garden art and magnificent architecture come together to create a fantastic backdrop for the annual Night of the Palaces, during which green spaces and buildings are impressively illuminated and accompanied by live music. Dancers, LED shows, 'talking trees' and guests in historical costumes contribute to the great atmosphere.


Handel Festival, Halle: Saale city? Handel city!

Orchestra and choir perform during the Händel Festival on the market square in Halle (Saale), with the Market Church and Händel monument in the background. Handel Festival in Halle (Saale) ©Stiftung Händel-Haus (Thomas Ziegler)

Hallelujah, what an artist! George Frideric Handel is considered one of the greatest composers in the history of music – not least thanks to his oratorio 'Messiah' with its 'Hallelujah' chorus. Incidentally, the word contains the birthplace of the genius: Halle. And the city in Saxony-Anhalt is mighty proud of it. This is particularly apparent at the Handel Festival in spring, one of the most important and oldest festivals for Baroque music in Germany.


International May Festival in Wiesbaden: art's many faces

The image shows the magnificent interior of the Hessian State Theatre with elaborately decorated walls, a grand staircase, and a beautifully painted Baroque-style ceiling. Interior view of the Hessian State Theater ©Wiesbaden Congress & Marketing GmbH (Martin Kaufhold)

May makes everything new! Throughout the entire merry month, the Hessian State Theatre presents culture at the highest level. The full range of performing arts are represented in this events programme , which has been growing ever larger since 1896: opera and concert, dance, performance and theatre. In keeping with the motto 'The world as a guest in Wiesbaden', international performers are a key part of this series, as is the programme for children and young people.


Beethovenfest Bonn: concert series 'To Joy'

The image shows a concert hall during the Beethovenfest in Bonn. A pianist is performing in front of a filled hall adorned with magnificent chandeliers and elegant decor. Beethovenfest Bonn ©Internationale Beethovenfeste Bonn GmbH (Michael Staab, Daniel Dittus)

The 9th Symphony is just one of his 650 compositions, but like the 'Ode to Joy' it is well known around the globe. In any case, Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most frequently performed composers in the world. It's no wonder the Beethovenfest , which has been held every year in his home town since 1845, is so popular. At around 70 concerts at over 20 venues, international orchestras, ensembles and soloists reinterpret his creative work year after year.


Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival: lakes, coast, arts

Concert in Güstrow Cathedral Concert in Güstrow Cathedral ©TMV (Nikulski)

Three months, well over 100 events, dozens of locations: everything about this festival is huge. The emotions, too – namely when international orchestras, stars of the classical music scene and young musicians perform in the most beautiful, charming and unusual places between the Baltic Sea and Plauer See: in castles, churches, barns and ruins. Plus: special supporting programmes before the concerts provide interesting insights into Germany's north-easternmost federal state.


Brahms Festival: Lübeck in a musical frenzy

Orchestra on stage during the Brahms Festival in Lübeck, with a large banner in the background. Brahms Festival in Lübeck ©LTM (Olaf Malzahn)

This Hanseatic city in Schleswig-Holstein offers great insights into the life of one of the most influential composers of the 19th century, above all with the Brahms Institute's vast collection at the Eschenburg villa. The villa is also the main venue for the Brahms Festival, organised by the University of Music Lübeck. Over ten days in May, hundreds of musicians perform symphony concerts, improvisations and the 'Long Night of Intoxication'.


Cathedral steps festival in Erfurt: top-class theatre under church spires

Illuminated cathedral and steps at the Cathedral Steps Festival in Erfurt, figures on stage. Cathedral Steps Festival ©Thüringer Tourismus GmbH (Lutz Edelhoff)

Founded in 1994, this festival in the Thuringian state capital boasts one of the most beautiful open-air stages in Germany. The setting of St Mary's Cathedral, St Severus' Church and the broad 70 steps down to the cathedral square is truly unrivalled. Not to mention what's staged on the cathedral steps! Sometimes an opera, sometimes a musical, sometimes original creations, sometimes adaptations of 'Tosca', 'Carmen' or 'Anatevka' – but always lavish and highly creative.