Name: BDZ Eurofestival Zupfmusik 2026 in Bruchsal 2026
Start: 2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-17T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Bürgerzentrum, Schloss Bruchsal, Kirchen und Plätze

Eurofestival Zupfmusik

About Eurofestival Zupfmusik

From May 14th to 17th, 2026, Bruchsal will become the world's largest meeting place for plucked string music for four days. Over 1,000 musicians from all over Europe and the world – with guitars, mandolins, mandolas, bouzoukis, and harps – will give around 25 concerts in the Bürgerzentrum, Bruchsal Castle, churches, and city squares. The Eurofestival, organized by the Bund Deutscher Zupfmusiker (BDZ), covers the entire spectrum from classical plucked orchestras to folk, jazz, and world music.

Dates 14 May — 17 May 2026

Venue Bruchsal (08215)

Prices 0.00€ — 80.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Eurofestival Zupfmusik — edition 2026

Tickets →

The BDZ Eurofestival Zupfmusik runs from May 14th to 17th, 2026, in Bruchsal. Over 1,000 musicians from all over Europe and the world will give around 25 concerts at venues in the Bürgerzentrum, Bruchsal Castle, churches, and city squares. The highlight is the "Long Night of Plucked Music" in the Baroque palace. Tickets €0–€80.

Eurofestival 2026 in Bruchsal

In 2026, the Eurofestival of the Bund Deutscher Zupfmusiker will once again take place in Bruchsal. For four days, the Baroque city will transform into an international concert stage for plucked string music in all its forms – classical, folk, jazz, and experimental.

In addition to the approximately 25 public concerts, there will be several parallel workshops, masterclasses, and an international youth orchestra that will come together, rehearse, and perform during the festival.

Highlights Eurofestival Zupfmusik 2026

Over 1,000 musicians from around the world
Around 25 concerts in four days
"Long Night of Plucked Music" at Bruchsal Castle
International youth plucked orchestra
Masterclasses with top soloists

Programme Eurofestival Zupfmusik 2026

Concert Highlights (Selection)

Opening concert with German plucked orchestra — Bürgerzentrum, Thursday, May 14th
Solo recitals classical guitar and mandolin
Chamber concerts in the Stadtkirche
Folk and world music crossover
International youth plucked orchestra (final concert Saturday)

Long Night of Plucked Music — Bruchsal Castle

Several ensembles in the historic rooms
Playing time approx. 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Internationally composed

Workshops and Masterclasses

Classical guitar
Mandolin and mandola
Harp
Composition and arrangement for plucked ensembles
Youth orchestra work

Prices Eurofestival Zupfmusik 2026

Day tickets from approx. €20. Festival pass for four days from approx. €80. Individual concerts (open air, children's performances, youth program) are free. Sales via zupfmusiker.de/eurofestival/ and at the festival box offices on site.

Practical information

Practical information — Eurofestival Zupfmusik

Getting there

Bruchsal is located on the A 5 (Bruchsal exit) and on the ICE/IC route Karlsruhe–Mannheim (Bruchsal Bahnhof stop). From the station, it is a 5-minute walk to the city center and the castle. Take the S-Bahn S3/S31/S33 from Karlsruhe directly to Bruchsal.

Tickets

Day tickets from approx. €20, festival pass for all four days from approx. €80. Some concerts (especially open-air venues and youth concerts) are free. Sales via zupfmusiker.de/eurofestival/.

Venues

The Bürgerzentrum, Bruchsal Castle, Stadtkirche, Citykirche, city squares, and several smaller venues will be used. Travel between venues is mostly possible on foot.

World's largest meeting of plucked string music

The Eurofestival Zupfmusik is the world's largest meeting for music with plucked string instruments – guitar, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, harp, and related family members. The organizer is the Bund Deutscher Zupfmusiker e.V. (BDZ), which has been promoting plucked string music in Germany and Europe for decades. In 2026, the festival will take place from May 14th to 17th in Bruchsal, a Baroque city in the Karlsruhe district with around 45,000 inhabitants.

Over 1,000 musicians, around 25 concerts

The four-day program includes around 25 concerts at venues throughout the city – from the large Bürgerzentrum to small chamber venues in churches and the castle. Over 1,000 musicians from all over Europe and beyond will travel to attend. Soloists, chamber ensembles, large plucked orchestras, youth orchestras, and crossover acts with folk, jazz, and world music in their repertoire will be represented.

"Long Night of Plucked Music" at the Castle

A highlight is the "Long Night of Plucked Music" at Bruchsal Castle – a Baroque residential palace from the early 18th century, which, with its famous staircase by Balthasar Neumann, is one of the most important Baroque buildings in Southern Germany. Internationally composed ensembles will play in the historic rooms for several hours.

Youth and talent promotion

The BDZ traditionally places great emphasis on youth work. The Eurofestival offers dedicated program streams for young ensembles, workshops with internationally renowned soloists, masterclasses for composition and arrangement, and an international youth plucked orchestra. Young musicians from several countries will practice together and perform at the end of the festival.

Range of styles

The festival showcases the entire stylistic range of plucked string music: classical mandolin concerts, guitar works from the Renaissance to the present day, folk and world music (Balkan, Irish, Latin), jazz guitar, harp recitals, and experimental crossover projects. The format appeals to lovers of classical music as well as folk and jazz audiences.