BDZ Eurofestival Zupfmusik 2026 in Bruchsal

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.