Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Schwerin

A Festival for the Entire State

The Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a decentralized summer festival for classical music — one of the largest in Europe. With around 190 events at approximately 80 venues, the festival spans the entire summer and the whole state: from churches to barns, castles, and parks. The principle has remained the same since its founding in 1990: classical music should be brought out of the grand halls and into special places. Schwerin, the state capital, is a regular stop.

Schwerin Cathedral as a Venue

One of the most important venues in Schwerin is the Cathedral — one of Northern Germany's most significant brick Gothic churches. Its acoustics and space make it the ideal location for chamber music, Baroque programs, and sacred works. Renowned ensembles and soloists perform here throughout the festival summer. In addition, the festival utilizes other locations in and around Schwerin.

2026 Programme

The 2026 festival summer runs from June 13 to September 12. Among the artists of the year are the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden with Daniele Gatti, violinist Hilary Hahn, the SWR Big Band, and the Armida Quartett, which opens the festival summer as Artist in Residence. In Schwerin, the concert 'Versailles & Sanssouci' on June 19 in the Cathedral is a highlight: trumpeter Gábor Boldoczki and the Kammerakademie Potsdam paint a picture of courtly concert life between Potsdam and Paris.

Schwerin in the Festival Summer

Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with its castle, cathedral, and historic old town, provides a worthy setting for the festival. For visitors to the city, the festival concerts offer an opportunity to experience high-caliber classical music — embedded in a summer full of culture in the state capital.