Bolzano Festival Bozen 2026

The 22nd edition of Bolzano Festival Bozen brings a full month of world-class classical music to Bolzano, a UNESCO Creative City of Music. Organised by the Ferruccio Busoni – Gustav Mahler Foundation, the festival unites internationally acclaimed soloists, leading conductors and Europe's foremost youth orchestras in the capital of South Tyrol.

The programme is structured around five concert series. The Orchestras series hosts the summer residencies of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (GMJO), performing at the Teatro Comunale under the baton of Elim Chan, Gustavo Gimeno and Philippe Jordan. The Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Festival brings together some of the greatest pianists of our time: Grigory Sokolov, Arcadi Volodos, Martha Argerich alongside Lilya Zilberstein and Igor Levit headline the series, complemented by winners of the world's most prestigious piano competitions. The Gustav Mahler Academy's Originalklang Project, curated by Philipp von Steinaecker, presents Mahler's Fourth Symphony performed on early 20th-century original instruments as part of a significant international tour. The Antiqua series explores early music with international ensembles at evocative historic venues including Castel Mareccio, the Old Parish Church of Gries and Palazzo Mercantile. BFB Plus rounds out the programme with additional chamber music and special concerts.

The festival also offers a range of satellite events: the international symposium The Artist of the Future at the Free University of Bolzano (27–29 August), the English Week in partnership with Alphabeta Piccadilly (10–14 August) for young people, and Tutt'orecchi (18 August), a dedicated event for children.

A significant part of the programme is free of charge, including the open-air opening concert at Semirurali Park, the Music in the Courtyard series featuring ensembles from the C. Monteverdi Conservatory across various city squares, and the Music Hub Italy project, which brings together students from South Tyrolean music schools and musicians of the EUYO.

Tickets and season passes are available at the Teatro Comunale box office (Piazza G. Verdi 40, Bolzano) and online at www.ticket.bz.it. Further information: www.bolzanofestivalbozen.eu.