Fête de la Musique Hannover
Summer solstice with music from around the world – approx. 40 stages, one day, free entry in the UNESCO City of Music
About Fête de la Musique Hannover
An International Format in a German Setting
The Fête de la Musique was launched in France in 1982 and has since spread to all continents. Hannover has participated for many years with one of the densest programs in the German-speaking world. The event is supported by an alliance of the Musikzentrum Hannover, the state capital, local organizers, and countless volunteers. All performances are free, and all musicians perform without a fee – this is the fundamental principle of the worldwide Fête.
UNESCO City of Music
In 2014, Hannover was designated a UNESCO City of Music, joining cities like Seville, Bologna, Glasgow, and Liverpool. Since then, the Fête de la Musique has served as an annual showcase of the city's musical diversity. The Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien (University of Music, Drama and Media), the independent music scene, choirs, big bands, school orchestras, and professional acts come together on this day on a shared city stage.
40 Stages, One Plan
The stages are spread across the entire city center: Main Train Station, Kröpcke, Marktkirche, Ballhof, Aegidientorplatz, Hofgärten, and numerous courtyards. Each stage has its own musical focus – some are classical, others electronic, some are hosted by a school, others by a professional ensemble. The official program overview will be published in print and digital form in the days leading up to June 21st.
'Der Mond ist aufgegangen' – The Finale
For several years, the Fête de la Musique Hannover has concluded with a sing-along of a folk song at the stage in front of the Main Train Station. At 9:45 PM, the audience and musicians together sing 'Der Mond ist aufgegangen' – a quiet, unifying moment to round off the longest day of the year.
Fête de la Musique Hannover — edition 2026
Program planning for the 2026 edition is underway in the months leading up to the event. The Musikzentrum Hannover, as the coordinator, collects applications from bands, solo artists, choirs, ensembles, and stage operators to assemble the overall program. Each stage is responsible for its own area, with the overarching program overview published shortly before June 21st.
The character of the Fête thrives on the diversity and simultaneity of the programs. Strolling through the city center, one can hear a classical string quartet, Latin American percussion, German-language hip-hop, and reinterpretations of the Great American Songbook within minutes.
Programme Fête de la Musique Hannover 2026
Program Structure
The exact program for all stages will be published by the organizer in the weeks before June 21, 2026. The structure follows the proven benchmarks of previous years:
- 2 PM: Opening, parallel program starts on approx. 40 stages
- 2 PM–6 PM: Afternoon program with school orchestras, chamber music, children's concerts, brass bands
- 6 PM–9:45 PM: Main program with pop, rock, jazz, soul, hip-hop, electronic music on the main outdoor stages
- 9:45 PM: Joint finale at the stage in front of the Main Train Station – 'Der Mond ist aufgegangen'
- Until 10 PM: Winding down
Genres and Styles
- Jazz and improvisation
- Classical music and chamber music
- Soul, R&B, and Funk
- Rock, Indie, and Pop
- Electronic music
- World music, Latin American and African styles
- Choral music and a cappella
Participating Stages (Selection)
Main Train Station, Kröpcke, Marktkirche, Ballhof, Aegidientorplatz, Hofgärten of the city center, courtyards and forecourts of cafés and restaurants.
Highlights Fête de la Musique Hannover 2026
- Approx. 40 stages in the city center
- Summer solstice, longest day of the year
- UNESCO City of Music
- All genres from classical to electronic
- Joint closing song at the Main Train Station
- Free entry
Prices Fête de la Musique Hannover 2026
Practical information — Fête de la Musique Hannover
Date
Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 2 PM to 10 PM.
Admission
All stages and performances are accessible free of charge. Donations for the musicians are welcome.
Getting There
Most stages are within walking distance of Hannover Main Train Station. Trams and buses serve all relevant points in the city center. Travel by public transport is recommended.
Program Overview
The complete program for all stages will be published in the days leading up to June 21st on the official website fete-hannover.de and in a printed program flyer available at central locations in the city.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.