Name: Festival150 – 150 Years of the Bayreuth Festival 2026
Start: 2026-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-31T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Stadtgebiet Bayreuth und Landkreis

Festival150

About Festival150

To mark the 150th anniversary of the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876, Bayreuth will transform into an all-year-round total work of art in 2026. Under the title »Festival150«, around 150 stages will host events throughout the city and the district — from January to December with music, theatre, and art, spanning the spectrum from Richard Wagner's work to the present day. Three major city events will form the highlights of the anniversary year.

Dates 01 Jan — 31 Dec 2026

Venue Bayreuth (09462)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Festival150 — edition 2026

Festival150 runs throughout 2026 as a city-wide anniversary festival for the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival. Three major city events form the highlights: RIWA Street Festival (May 23rd), Festival Mile (July 24th/25th), and Long Night of Culture (September 25th/26th).

In 2026, Bayreuth celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first Festival in 1876 with the year-round Festival150. Around 150 stages in the city and the district of Bayreuth will be used from January to December; over 150 events are supported by the city.

The city of Bayreuth is organizing three major events itself: the RIWA Street Festival on May 23rd, the Festival Mile on July 24th and 25th, and the Long Night of Culture on September 25th and 26th. In addition, there will be numerous program items such as the University Orchestra's semester-ending concert (January 28th), the lecture »Wagner meets Hollywood«, »Iphigenie in Aulis« with the Gluck Festival (May 8th), and experimental formats.

Highlights Festival150 2026

150 Years of the Bayreuth Festival (1876–2026)
Around 150 stages in the city and district
Year-round program from Wagner to the present day
Three major city events organized by the city

Programme Festival150 2026

RIWA Street Festival — May 23, 2026
Festival Mile — July 24/25, 2026
Long Night of Culture — September 25/26, 2026
University Orchestra Semester-Ending Concert (Film Music) — January 28
»Iphigenie in Aulis« with the Gluck Festival — May 8
Over 150 supported events throughout the year

Prices Festival150 2026

Tickets depend on the individual event; many program items are free to access, others require tickets.

Practical information

Practical information — Festival150

Getting There

By train to Bayreuth Hauptbahnhof; the city area is accessible on foot and by public transport. By car via the A9 (Bayreuth exit).

Program

Year-round in 2026, around 150 stages in the city and district. Current dates and program highlights continuously on the festival website.

Tickets

Depending on the individual event; many program items are free to access, others require tickets.

150 Years of the Bayreuth Festival

In 2026, it will be the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876. For this occasion, the city of Bayreuth in Upper Franconia, northern Bavaria, is organizing the year-round »Festival150«. Accompanying the anniversary festival on the Grüner Hügel, around 150 stages will be used throughout the city and the district of Bayreuth.

A Year Full of Culture

From January to December 2026, the entire region will showcase its cultural diversity — »From Wagner's Work to the Present Day«. The program spans from the music of Richard Wagner to contemporary forms of expression, connecting the past 150 years with the future. Over 150 events are supported by the city.

The Major City Events

The city of Bayreuth is organizing three events itself, forming the highlights of the anniversary year: the RIWA Street Festival on May 23rd, the Festival Mile on July 24th/25th, and the Long Night of Culture on September 25th/26th.

Program Highlights

Program items include the University Orchestra's semester-ending concert with film music (January 28th), the lecture »Wagner meets Hollywood«, the play »Iphigenie in Aulis« in cooperation with the Gluck Festival (May 8th), and experimental formats like »Hasifal« in the Wilhelminenaue.

Bayreuth as a Total Work of Art

Festival150 turns the entire city of Bayreuth and the surrounding district into a stage. It is aimed at both locals and international guests who will be drawn to the Franconian festival city in this anniversary year.