Greifswalder Bachwoche
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's oldest music festival — since 1946
About Bachwoche
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History
The Greifswalder Bachwoche was founded in 1946 as "Bach Days" by the then cathedral pastor and music lover — an extraordinary sign of cultural life immediately after the end of the war, just one year after bombing and Soviet occupation. This makes it the oldest music festival in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and one of the oldest Bach festivals worldwide.
Concept
Over a week between Pentecost and early June, around 40 events lead through Bach's work — and always beyond. The opening is usually a major oratorio or cantata in St. Nikolai Cathedral, and the finale is traditionally a major work like the Mass in B minor or the Christmas Oratorio with the Greifswald Cathedral Choir. Between the opening and finale, there are morning cantatas, afternoon chamber concerts, a scientific symposium, family concerts, children's formats, organ concerts, and participatory sing-along church services.
Venues
The main venues are the Gothic St. Nikolai Cathedral ("Langer Nikolaus", 100 m high tower, one of the three great brick churches of Greifswald's Hanseatic cityscape) and St. Jacob's Church. In addition, chapels, monastery ruins, and concert halls of the university are used.
Funding
The organizer is the Pomeranian Evangelical Church together with the Greifswald Cathedral Choir. Sponsors include the Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Hanseatic City of Greifswald, and a growing number of regional sponsors. The "99 Funken" crowdfunding campaign has secured free concerts for young listeners for years.
Bachwoche — edition 2026
The 80th edition is a jubilee with ambition. The motto » BACH ad infinitum« honors on the one hand the uninterrupted tradition since 1946 — and on the other hand the almost boundless dimensions of Johann Sebastian Bach's music. For a week, from June 1 to 7, 2026, St. Nikolai Cathedral will become the resonant center of the Hanseatic city.
Even before the official festival opening, the international singing competition »cantateBach!« will take place from May 29 to 31, 2026 — a young format that connects the Bachwoche to the next generation of singers.
Tickets are available via greifswalder-bachwoche.de and at the Greifswald Tourist Information. The BachwochenCard as a festival pass opens all concerts of a week at a reduced price. Free youth concerts are supported by the crowdfunding campaign "99 Funken".
Programme Bachwoche 2026
Mon, June 1, 2026 — St. Nikolai Cathedral
- Opening Concert: Magnificat and other works by Johann Sebastian Bach
Tue, June 2, 2026 — St. Nikolai Cathedral
- Vocal ensemble concert with the Calmus Ensemble Leipzig
Wed, June 3, 2026 — St. Jacob's Church
- Chamber concert with Georg Kallweit (Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin) and the European Hanse Ensemble
Thu, June 4, 2026 — St. Nikolai Cathedral
- Special concert for the 80th anniversary of the Bachwoche, Chamber Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin
Fri, June 5, 2026 — St. Nikolai Cathedral
- Concert with the NDR Big Band — Bach in a jazz context
Sat, June 6, 2026 — St. Nikolai Cathedral
- Closing Concert: Mass in B minor (BWV 232) with the Greifswald Cathedral Choir and soloists
Sun, June 7, 2026 — St. Nikolai Cathedral
- Festive service with the cantata »Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott« (BWV 80)
Further in the weekly program
- Morning cantatas from eight decades of festival history
- Scientific Symposium » BACH ad infinitum«
- Concert with Brasscussion
- Children's and family formats, organ concert for children, participatory concerts
- Preceding from May 29-31, 2026: international singing competition »cantateBach!«
Complete concert and venue list at greifswalder-bachwoche.de.
Highlights Bachwoche 2026
- 80th Anniversary Edition
- Motto » BACH ad infinitum«
- ~40 events in 7 days
- Calmus Ensemble, NDR Big Band, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Komische Oper Berlin
- Mass in B minor as closing concert with Greifswald Cathedral Choir
- BachwochenCard for unlimited festival access
- International singing competition »cantateBach!« May 29-31
Prices Bachwoche 2026
Tickets are available via greifswalder-bachwoche.de, Greifswald Tourist Information, and at the box office. With the BachwochenCard, unlimited access to all concerts. Youth concerts are partly free (supported by "99 Funken"). Detailed prices on the festival website.
Practical information — Bachwoche
Getting There
By train to Greifswald Hauptbahnhof, from there a 10-minute walk to the center. By car via the A20, parking areas around the old town.
Tickets
Tickets are available via greifswalder-bachwoche.de, at the Greifswald Tourist Information, and at the box office. The BachwochenCard (Premium Festival Pass) offers unlimited access to all concerts of the week.
Venues
Main venues: St. Nikolai Cathedral, St. Jacob's Church, other churches and halls in the city center.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Bachwoche
Dom St. Nikolai und St. Jakobikirche
Bahnhofstraße 48/49, 17489 Greifswald