Dessauer Jazz Nights

Jazz at the Anhaltisches Theater

When you think of Dessau-Roßlau, you first think of Bauhaus, Walter Gropius architecture, the Junkers heritage, and the UNESCO World Heritage Wörlitz Garden Realm. What many don't know: the city has a vibrant jazz scene — and its most important concert series is called Dessauer Jazz Nights. Seven dates between January and May in the historic Anhaltisches Theater Dessau, a classic three-genre house (opera, drama, ballet), which transforms into a jazz club for a few evenings a year.

The Anhaltisches Theater itself is one of the important theaters in Saxony-Anhalt. The venue on Friedensplatz, a building from 1938 with over 1000 seats, is home to the Anhaltische Philharmonie. For the Jazz Nights, the stage is reconfigured, sometimes with café tables and a bar — the atmosphere changes from a classical concert hall to an intimate jazz club.

Seven Concerts, One Season

The 2026 season includes seven confirmed dates: January 5, January 19, February 23, March 16, March 30, April 27, and May 18, 2026. All concerts start at 7:30 PM. Each concert is a unique encounter with a different artist or ensemble — from solo recitals and trio formats to larger bands.

Known from the program is, among others, the Konstantin Kölmel Project on January 19, 2026 — a European jazz formation that combines groove jazz, funk, and R&B. The rest of the programming features German and international jazz talents, often a mix of established names and newcomers. The exact lineups will be communicated via the theater's website during the season.

Dessau-Roßlau, Bauhaus, Jazz

The connection between Bauhaus and jazz is historical — the Bauhaus was a cradle of modernism, where jazz also found its home. The Dessauer Jazz Nights continue this connection in a contemporary form. In the state of Saxony-Anhalt, in a city culturally significant due to Bauhaus, Junkers, and the Wörlitz Garden Realm, this series is an important pillar of the concert calendar. Tickets start at €20, making the series affordable for a broad audience.