Chursächsischer Sommer — Bad Elster
Largest cultural festival of the European Spa Region — 29th edition from May 1 to October 4, 2026
About Chursächsischer Sommer
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Five Months of Culture in the Spa Region
Since its premiere in 1998, the Chursächsischer Sommer has developed into the largest cultural festival of the European Spa Region — a unique cultural landscape in the border triangle of Saxony / Bavaria / Czech Republic. Over five months, from May 1 to October 4, 2026, around 300 events of all genres will be spread across Bad Elster, Bad Brambach, and around 40 partner venues in four regions: Saxony, Bavaria, Bohemia (Czech Republic), and Thuringia. The patronage for 2026 will once again be held by the President of the Saxon State Parliament and the Czech Consul General in Dresden — a symbol of the cross-border tradition.
The Chursächsische Philharmonie as Festival Orchestra
The heart of the festival is the Chursächsische Philharmonie — the official festival orchestra. It accompanies the season with cross-border tours, performing in castles, churches, concert halls, and the Königliches Kurhaus in Bad Elster (with its famous König-Albert-Theater). In addition, the program features world-class soloists, chamber music ensembles, jazz combos, theater productions, readings, and open-air spectacles.
Festival Highlights 2026
The following major events stand out in the 2026 festival summer: the Brunnenfest (June 26–28) — the traditional Volksfest (folk festival) centered around the Bad Elster spring, with concerts, a parade, and fireworks; EQUIPAGE (May 24) — a festive open-air production with horses and music; the International Jazz Days (August 7–16) — one of the most important jazz festivals in Saxony's Vogtland region; and the Sächsische Meister-Classic (June 6) — a top-class classical music gala. In addition, there is the diverse wellness program of the Sächsische Staatsbäder, the spa park as a cultural living room, and the König-Albert-Theater as the central venue.
Saxony, Vogtland District, and the Sächsische Staatsbäder
Bad Elster and Bad Brambach belong to the Vogtland district in Saxony and together form the 'Sächsische Staatsbäder' — a tradition of health resorts dating back to the 17th century. Both towns are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Great Spa Towns of Europe' (together with, among others, Karlovy Vary, Baden-Baden, Bath, and Spa) — an award for unique European spa culture. The Chursächsische Sommer is the cultural link of this region, attracting visitors from all over Central Europe.
Chursächsischer Sommer — edition 2026
29th Edition of the Cultural Festival of the Spa Region
The 29th edition of the Chursächsischer Sommer extends from May 1, 2026, to October 4, 2026, over five months of programming. Around 300 individual events of all genres — classical, jazz, theater, dance, open-air concerts, readings, and special formats — will take place in Bad Elster and Bad Brambach, as well as at around 40 partner venues. The Chursächsische Philharmonie serves as the official festival orchestra, accompanying the season.
The season opening on May 1 in the Königliches Kurhaus Bad Elster traditionally marks the start of the festive summer in the European Spa Region.
Programme Chursächsischer Sommer 2026
Festival Highlights 2026
- Fri, May 1, 2026: Festive Season Opening in the Königliches Kurhaus Bad Elster
- Sun, May 24, 2026: EQUIPAGE — Open-air production with horses and music
- Sat, June 6, 2026: Sächsische Meister-Classic — Classical gala with top-class soloists
- Fri, June 26 – Sun, June 28, 2026: Brunnenfest Bad Elster — traditional Volksfest (folk festival) around the health spring: concerts, parade, fireworks
- Fri, Aug 7 – Sun, Aug 16, 2026: International Jazz Days Bad Elster — one of the most important jazz festivals in Vogtland
- Sun, Oct 4, 2026: Season Finale
- Ongoing: Concerts by the Chursächsische Philharmonie in Bad Elster, Bad Brambach, Saxony, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Thuringia
- Venues: König-Albert-Theater Bad Elster, Königliches Kurhaus, Kurpark, plus around 40 partner locations (castles, churches, concert halls)
Highlights Chursächsischer Sommer 2026
- 29th edition of the largest cultural festival in the European Spa Region
- Around 300 events in five months
- Brunnenfest (June 26–28), EQUIPAGE (May 24), Jazz Days (Aug 7–16), Meister-Classic (June 6)
- Chursächsische Philharmonie as festival orchestra
- Cross-border: 40 partner venues in Saxony, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Thuringia
- Set within the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Great Spa Towns of Europe'
Prices Chursächsischer Sommer 2026
Admission varies by individual event. Concert tickets from approx. €15 (chamber music) to approx. €65 (premiere at the König-Albert-Theater). Festival passes and Brunnenfest tickets available at chursaechsische.de.
Practical information — Chursächsischer Sommer
Dates 2026
Friday, May 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 — five months of programming with around 300 individual events.
Main Venues
Königliches Kurhaus and König-Albert-Theater Bad Elster, Bad Brambach, plus around 40 partner venues in Saxony, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Thuringia.
Tickets and Program
Online via chursaechsische.de or badelster.de. Tel. +49 37437 53900, E-mail [email protected].
Getting Here
By train via Plauen / Adorf to Bad Elster (Vogtlandbahn). By car via the A72 (exit Plauen-Süd / Adorf). Parking available at the Kurpark and the Kurhaus.
Organizer
Chursächsische Veranstaltungs GmbH, Bad Elster (Sächsische Staatsbäder).
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Chursächsischer Sommer
Bad Elster, Bad Brambach und 40 Partnerveranstaltungsorte
Königliches Kurhaus, 08645 Bad Elster