Name: Brühler Schlosskonzerte — Haydn Festival 2026 2026
Start: 2026-05-01T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-26T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schloss Augustusburg (UNESCO-Welterbe) — Treppenhaus, Schlosskirche, Gartensaal

Brühler Schlosskonzerte

About Brühler Schlosskonzerte

The Brühler Schlosskonzerte are among Germany's most traditional classical music series. In 2026, the festival is entirely dedicated to Joseph Haydn — 27 concerts over seven weekends between May 1 and July 26, 2026, performed in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Augustusburg Castle in Brühl. The stage is the Balthasar Neumann Staircase, the Garden Hall, and the Castle Church. Artists such as Berit Norbakken, Andreas Staier, the Simply Quartet, the Bremer Barockorchester, Anna Lucia Richter, the Capella Augustina under Andreas Spering, and the Hofmusik Ensemble under Fabrizio Ventura shape the program. The Bach-um-vier series in the Castle Church follows from October 2026.

Dates 01 May — 26 Jul 2026

Venue Brühl (05362)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Brühler Schlosskonzerte — edition 2026

Tickets →

Haydn Festival 2026 of the Brühler Schlosskonzerte: 27 concerts over seven weekends from May 1 to July 26, 2026, in the UNESCO World Heritage site Augustusburg Castle. Opening May 1–3 with “Let There Be Light!” (Capella Augustina, Andreas Spering, Berit Norbakken, Sebastian Kohlhepp, Thomas E. Bauer). Further highlights: Andreas Staier on the fortepiano (May 15), Simply Quartet (May 16–17), Fiesta Vivaldi, Hofmusik (Fabrizio Ventura), Anna Lucia Richter, and the Bremer Barockorchester.

Seven weekends of Joseph Haydn and his musical environment — symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, vocal works, and works by Mozart, C.P.E. Bach, and contemporaries. The venues are the Balthasar Neumann Staircase, the Garden Hall, and the Castle Church of Augustusburg Castle. From October 2026, the Bach-um-vier series will also be offered (until February 2027).

Highlights Brühler Schlosskonzerte 2026

27 concerts over 7 weekends (May 1–July 26, 2026)
UNESCO World Heritage site Augustusburg Castle as the venue
Opening weekend with Capella Augustina + Berit Norbakken
Andreas Staier on the fortepiano (May 15)
Bach-um-vier series from October 2026 as an autumn extension

Programme Brühler Schlosskonzerte 2026

Program Haydn Festival 2026 — Excerpts

May 1–3, 2026: “Let There Be Light!” — Opening concerts with Berit Norbakken, Sebastian Kohlhepp, Thomas E. Bauer + Capella Augustina (Andreas Spering)
May 15, 2026: “Kindred Spirits” — Andreas Staier, fortepiano (Garden Hall)
May 16–17, 2026: “Simply Great Music” — Simply Quartet
June–July 2026: “Fiesta Vivaldi,” “Roaring Fifties,” “Hofmusik” — incl. Christian Binde, Fabrizio Ventura, Anna Lucia Richter, Bremer Barockorchester

Full program and tickets: schlosskonzerte.de/programm.

Prices Brühler Schlosskonzerte 2026

Single tickets and subscriptions via schlosskonzerte.de. Inquire early for waiting lists.

Practical information

Practical information — Brühler Schlosskonzerte

Getting There

Train: Brühl Station (12 min from Cologne Central Station, 14 min from Bonn Central Station), 5 min walk to the castle. Car: A553 exit Brühl-Süd, parking available at the castle.

Tickets and Subscriptions

Single tickets and subscriptions can be booked via schlosskonzerte.de. For sold-out concerts, there is a waiting list. Early booking is recommended — the intimate acoustics of the rooms ensure limited seating.

Tip

If you want to combine your journey with the concert: Augustusburg Castle and Falkenlust Hunting Lodge (World Heritage ensemble) are open to the public during the day — perfect for a classical day trip from Cologne or Bonn.

Classical Music in a World Heritage Site: The Brühl Festival

The Brühler Schlosskonzerte are one of the most renowned concert series for early music and classical music in Germany. The venue is the UNESCO World Heritage site Augustusburg Castle, Clemens August's electoral Rococo palace in Brühl near Cologne — one of the most important palace ensembles of the 18th century. The festival has been organized since 1962 by the non-profit Brühler Schlosskonzerte gGmbH.

Haydn Festival 2026 — 27 Concerts Over Seven Weekends

2026 is entirely dedicated to Joseph Haydn. From May 1 to July 26, 2026, 27 concerts spread over seven weekends in May, June, and July are on the program — symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, vocal works, and works by befriended composers such as Mozart and C.P.E. Bach.

Program Highlights

May 1–3, 2026: “Let There Be Light!” — Opening weekend with soloists Berit Norbakken, Sebastian Kohlhepp, Thomas E. Bauer, and the Capella Augustina conducted by Andreas Spering
May 15, 2026: “Kindred Spirits” — Andreas Staier on the fortepiano in the Garden Hall
May 16–17, 2026: “Simply Great Music” — Concerts by the Simply Quartet
June–July 2026: “Fiesta Vivaldi,” “Roaring Fifties,” and “Hofmusik” with artists such as Christian Binde and Fabrizio Ventura, as well as Anna Lucia Richter and the Bremer Barockorchester

Three Venues within Augustusburg Castle

The festival utilizes three rooms of the castle:

Staircase: the famous Balthasar Neumann Staircase, one of the most significant Rococo staircases in Europe — an acoustic and visual experience
Garden Hall: intimate atmosphere for chamber music
Castle Church: for sacred works and larger vocal ensembles

For some concerts, the Gallery at the Castle is also used.

Bach um vier — Autumn Series from October 2026

After the summer Haydn Festival, the afternoon series “Bach um vier” continues in the Castle Church from October 2026 — until February 2027. The series opens with “For Soul and Senses” featuring the Capella Augustina and selected soloists. The series is aimed at visitors who want to experience classical music in a relaxed Sunday afternoon atmosphere.

Brühl and the Castle

Brühl is located about 15 kilometers south of Cologne in the Rhein-Erft district and is reachable from Cologne and Bonn within minutes via train. Augustusburg Castle, along with Falkenlust Hunting Lodge, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984.