Bachfest Eisenach
Festival celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach's birthplace — 10th edition, 100 years of the Eisenach Bach Choir
About Bachfest Eisenach
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Eisenach — Bach's Birthplace
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach on March 21, 1685 — baptized two days later, on March 23, 1685, in the Georgenkirche. He spent the first ten years of his life in Eisenach: this is where he went to school, and where his musical education began within the family. After his parents' death in 1694/95, he moved in with his older brother Johann Christoph in Ohrdruf. However, Eisenach remained his birthplace throughout his life — and today, alongside Leipzig and Köthen, it is one of the three most important Bach sites in Germany. The Bachhaus Eisenach, established in 1907 as the world's first Bach Museum, documents his work and life.
10 Years of Festival, 100 Years of Bach Choir
The Bachfest Eisenach was founded in 2017 — 2026 marks its tenth edition. Simultaneously, the Eisenach Bach Choir celebrates its 100th anniversary: founded in 1926 as a church and concert choir, it has developed into a renowned regional vocal ensemble and is the central participant in the 2026 festival. The motto «100 Years of the Eisenach Bach Choir — A Festival of Choral Music» shapes the program: choral music takes center stage, with Bach cantatas forming the common thread.
Daily Cantata Services in the Georgenkirche
The structural principle of the Bachfest is the daily cantata — every day, a Bach cantata is performed in the Georgenkirche, Bach's baptismal church, within the liturgical context of a church service. This is the historically authentic performance practice: Bach composed his cantatas as an integral part of the divine service, not as concert pieces. Three cantata services (October 30, October 31, November 1) offer free admission — a gesture that underscores the spiritual dimension of the festival.
Main Concerts and «Rameau meets ABBA»
In addition to the cantata services, evening main concerts take place. Opening concert on October 29, 7:30 PM: the Thüringer Bach Collegium performs works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his uncle Johann Bernhard Bach — a reflection on the musical Bach family. On the evening of October 30, a cantata concert follows with soloists, the Eisenach Bach Choir, and the Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach. A highlight for many will be «Dancing Queen — Rameau meets ABBA» on October 31 — a daring crossover evening that combines Baroque dance forms (Rameau) with ABBA hits, performed by the Lauttencompagney on historical instruments. The closing concert on November 1, 5:00 PM: the vocal ensemble SLIXS (a cappella with modern arrangements) presents Bach in a contemporary vocal sound language.
Wartburg, Bachhaus, Reformation Day
The festival consistently leverages Eisenach's cultural density. In addition to the Georgenkirche, concerts are held at the Bachhaus — smaller chamber concerts and thematic programs in the rooms where Bach was born (according to tradition; the actual birthplace is disputed). A special concert at the Wartburg on Reformation Day (October 31) connects the festival with Luther — Eisenach, alongside Wittenberg and Worms, is the third central Reformation site. The Wartburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was Luther's refuge in 1521/22 («Junker Jörg»), where he translated the New Testament into German. This connection between Bach and Luther — the Lutheran composer at the Luther Castle — is the festival's specific historical profile.
Bachfest Eisenach — edition 2026
10th Bachfest in Bach's Birthplace
From October 29 to November 1, 2026, Eisenach invites you to the 10th Bachfest under the motto «100 Years of the Eisenach Bach Choir — A Festival of Choral Music». The Georgenkirche (Bach's baptismal church) as the main venue, concerts at the Bachhaus and on the Wartburg, crossover evenings, and daily cantata services characterize the four-day festival.
Programme Bachfest Eisenach 2026
Program Highlights 2026 — 10th Bachfest Eisenach
- Thursday, October 29, 7:30 PM — Opening Concert: The Thüringer Bach Collegium in the Georgenkirche; works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his uncle Johann Bernhard Bach; festive opening of the anniversary festival
- Friday, October 30 — Cantata Day: Cantata service in the morning (free admission); in the evening, a cantata concert with soloists, the Eisenach Bach Choir (100th anniversary!) and the Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach
- Saturday, October 31, Reformation Day — «Rameau meets ABBA»: Crossover concert «Dancing Queen — Rameau meets ABBA» with the Lauttencompagney — Baroque dance forms meet ABBA hits, performed on historical instruments; a daring and popular program item; admission 8–36 EUR
- Saturday, October 31 — Wartburg Concert: Special concert at the Wartburg (UNESCO World Heritage site) connecting Bach–Luther; Eisenach as the third central Reformation site
- Sunday, November 1 — Cantata Service and Closing Concert: Final cantata service in the morning (free admission); 5:00 PM closing concert with the vocal ensemble SLIXS — a cappella Bach in contemporary sound language; festive conclusion of the anniversary festival
- Accompanying Program: Organ concerts in the Georgenkirche, chamber music at the Bachhaus, special guided tours of the Bachhaus with mini-concerts on historical instruments; special exhibition tour on «100 Years of the Eisenach Bach Choir»
The complete program with concert and service times is available at bachfest-eisenach.de/termine.html. Tickets via Ticket-Shop Thüringen with seat selection.
Highlights Bachfest Eisenach 2026
- 10th anniversary of the Bachfest since its founding in 2017
- 100 years of the Eisenach Bach Choir as a central participant
- Daily cantata services in the Georgenkirche (free admission)
- Crossover concert «Rameau meets ABBA» on Reformation Day
- Special concert at the Wartburg (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Closing with the SLIXS a cappella vocal ensemble
Prices Bachfest Eisenach 2026
Cantata services on 30.10., 31.10., and 1.11. free admission. Main concerts 8–36 EUR depending on category. Children, pupils, students, and selected groups often receive free admission to main concerts. Tickets via Ticket-Shop Thüringen with seat selection.
Practical information — Bachfest Eisenach
Date 2026
Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 1, 2026 — around Reformation Day.
Location
Georgenkirche Eisenach (Marktplatz), Bachhaus Eisenach (Frauenplan 21), Wartburg Eisenach. 99817 Eisenach.
Getting There
By train: Eisenach station (ICE stop on the Frankfurt–Berlin route), about a 10-minute walk from the station to the market square. For the Wartburg: ascent from the market square on foot (40 minutes) or by the Wartburg-Bahn. By car: A4 exit Eisenach-Ost, follow city center signs. Parking available at the market square and the Bachhaus.
Admission
Cantata services on 30.10., 31.10., and 1.11. free admission. Main concerts (opening, «Rameau meets ABBA», closing) 8–36 EUR depending on category. Children, pupils, students, and some groups often receive free admission to the main concerts. Tickets available via the Ticket-Shop Thüringen with seat selection.
Tip
The festival pass is a good investment for dedicated Bach fans. Combine your festival visit with the Bachhaus (Bach Museum with daily mini-concerts on historical instruments), an ascent to the Wartburg (UNESCO World Heritage site), and a stroll through Eisenach's old town with its beautiful half-timbered houses.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Bachfest Eisenach
Georgenkirche Eisenach, Bachhaus, Wartburg
Marktplatz, 99817 Eisenach