Dresden Jazz Festival

25 Years of Dresden Jazz

Since 2002, Jazztage Dresden has been combining concerts from jazz, soul, funk, Latin, classical crossover, and world music in a series that runs from early summer to winter. In 2026/27, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary — the highlight is a jubilee concert on January 9, 2027. Concerts in 2026 extend from spring (May) through late summer and autumn (November) and are crowned by the jubilee in winter.

International Stars and Crossover Concepts

The programming of Jazztage goes far beyond classic jazz. In 2026, the stage will feature: Hazmat Modine (US) with the «Good Friend Tour» (May 27, 2026, 8:00 PM) — a genre-bending exceptional band from New York that blends blues, folk, and world music; Foaie Verde (June 7, 2026, 7:00 PM) with Balkan music from Serbia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Germany; the legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts with the Marcus Schinkel Trio (June 9, 2026, 8:00 PM) for the «Birthday Tour 2026» — Ernie Watts celebrates his 80th birthday; Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion with «Classic meets Cuba» (June 12, 2026, 8:00 PM); the Forster Family with pop, soul, and jazz (July 3 and August 29, 2026); and Thomas Putensen (July 24, 2026, 7:30 PM).

Four Venues — From Intimate to Grand

The concerts are spread across acoustically and atmospherically diverse locations: the Konzertsaal in Kulturpalast Dresden for major events, the BallsportArena Dresden for concerts with higher attendance, the intimate Whisky Manufaktur H42 (Magdeburger Straße 58) for jazz sets in a manufactory ambiance, and the Weingut Zimmerling for outdoor concerts among the vineyards — a venue that holds a special significance in the summer program.

Dresden and the Myth of the Saxon Metropolis

Dresden, the state capital of Saxony, boasts a rich concert tradition — with the Sächsische Staatskapelle, the Semperoper, the Dresdner Kreuzchor, and a vibrant jazz scene centered around Tonne, Jazzclub Neue Tonne, and Yenidze. For two decades, Jazztage Dresden has been an integral part of this fabric, successfully bringing stars from the USA and Latin America as well as regional greats onto one stage.

Getting There and Tips

Most venues are located centrally or on the outskirts of Dresden. The Kulturpalast is within walking distance of the main train station. Those opting for a concert at Weingut Zimmerling should plan for a stroll through the Elbe vineyards — the combination of wine, summer, and jazz is a tradition.