Bachfest Leipzig

Bach in Original Locations

Few places in the world are as closely associated with a composer as Leipzig is with Johann Sebastian Bach. He worked here from 1723 until his death in 1750 as Thomaskantor, and it was here that his greatest works were created — the Mass in B minor, the St. Matthew Passion, a large part of his cantatas, and organ works. At the Bachfest Leipzig, you can hear this music where it was once written and premiered: in the Thomaskirche, in the Nikolaikirche, and in the Great Hall of the Gewandhaus. This connection between work, place, and performance makes the festival unique worldwide and annually draws Bach lovers from all continents to the trade fair city in the state of Saxony, in the Leipzig district.

Motto 2026: “In Dialogue”

The festival motto “In Dialogue” in 2026 focuses on the interrelationships in Bach's work: between him and his contemporaries, between his works and musical tradition, between interpretation and the audience. Sir András Schiff, together with harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, dedicates himself to “300 Years of Clavier-Übung” in several cycles — two completely different sound worlds that breathe the same Bach. In addition, the series “bach for us,” “Bach on the Road,” “Talking About Bach,” and “TOP 50 Bach Cantatas” bring the work to all corners of the city — from the university canteen to the main train station atrium.

Over 150 Events in Ten Days

More than 150 concerts, discussions, walks, and workshops are spread across around 25 venues in the city. In the Great Hall of the Gewandhaus, the Gewandhausorchester performs under various conductors. In the Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche, the Thomanerchor sings the cantatas as in Bach's time — usually on Saturdays and Sundays during divine service. On the BachStage erected especially for the Bachfest in the market square, Bach is played for everyone free of charge: here you can listen in the middle of the city center without a ticket. Renowned Bach specialists such as Ton Koopman, Masaaki Suzuki, John Butt, and Hans-Christoph Rademann come annually, alongside younger voices like Vox Luminis and Collegium 1704.

Opening with Thomanerchor and Gewandhausorchester

The opening concert on June 11, 2026, in the Thomaskirche will be performed by the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Gewandhausorchester, conducted by Thomaskantor Andreas Reize. This combination — the boys' choir that Bach himself led, together with the Gewandhausorchester, which looks back on a tradition dating back to 1743 — exists nowhere else in the world but in Leipzig. Tickets for the opening concert range from 25 to 120 euros and, based on experience, sell out quickly. On the same evening, the “Schiff plays Bach” cycle begins in the Gewandhaus with Clavier-Übung I (BWV 825–830, Partitas).

Leipzig in June — Festival and City at the Same Time

In June, Leipzig shows itself in its most beautiful form: long bright evenings, mild temperatures, beer gardens, and concerts in the park. The Bachfest fits seamlessly into this atmosphere. Between concerts, you can visit the Bach Museum on Thomaskirchhof (opposite the Thomaskirche, in the Bosehaus), where Bach's life and work are comprehensively documented, or take a Bach walk through the city center. The city's Jewish heritage, the history of the Battle of Leipzig, and the GDR past can also be explored around the concerts. The Bachfest is therefore not just a concert marathon, but also an intensive encounter with Leipzig's city history.