Name: International Danube Festival Ulm/Neu-Ulm 2026
Start: 2026-07-03T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-12T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Donauufer Ulm/Neu-Ulm

Danube Festival

About Danube Festival

Every two years, Ulm and Neu-Ulm transform their Danube banks into a grand festival of cultures along the river. The International Danube Festival brings together music, dance, literature, theatre, and exhibitions from the ten Danube countries for ten days – at its heart is the Danube Countries Market, showcasing crafts, music, and culinary specialties from the source to the mouth of the river. With around 150 events, mostly with free admission, the Danube Festival is one of the largest festivals promoting understanding among peoples in Southern Germany. For 2026/27, it has been awarded the European EFFE label.

Dates 03 Jul — 12 Jul 2026

Venue Neu-Ulm (09775)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Danube Festival — edition 2026

Tickets →

The International Danube Festival Ulm/Neu-Ulm 2026 runs from July 3rd to 12th, 2026, on the Danube banks of both cities. Ten days of cultural celebration of the Danube countries with the Danube Countries Market at its heart and around 150 events: music (classical, jazz, Balkan, world music, folk, pop), dance, literature, theatre, and exhibitions. The vast majority are free of charge. Awarded the EFFE Label 2026/27. Organizer: Donaubüro Ulm/Neu-Ulm.

Danube Festival 2026

From July 3rd to 12th, 2026, the Danube in Ulm and Neu-Ulm will become the stage for ten countries. The Danube Countries Market is open from Sunday to Thursday 11 am–11 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 11 am–12 am. Around 150 events, mostly with free admission.

Highlights Danube Festival 2026

Danube Countries Market as the heart of the festival
Around 150 events, mostly free of charge
Music, dance, literature, theatre, and exhibitions from ten countries
EFFE Label 2026/27 for outstanding European festivals
Culinary delights from the Danube source to the mouth

Programme Danube Festival 2026

Danube Countries Market (Danube Banks Ulm/Neu-Ulm)

Sun–Thu: 11:00 am–11:00 pm
Fri & Sat: 11:00 am–12:00 am
Stalls with crafts, traditional music, and culinary specialties from the ten Danube countries

Cultural Program (around 150 events, July 3rd–12th)

Music: Classical, jazz, Balkan, world music, folk, pop on several stages
Dance: Folklore and contemporary dance groups from the Danube region
Literature: Readings and discussions
Theatre & Performance
Exhibitions along the Danube culture
Family and Children's Program

The complete detailed program with stage times and artists will be published by the Donaubüro on donaufest.de. The festival carries the European EFFE Label 2026/27.

Prices Danube Festival 2026

The Danube Countries Market and the vast majority of the approximately 150 events are free. Individual concerts or special events may be subject to a charge. Details at donaufest.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Danube Festival

Getting There

The festival grounds are located on both sides of the Danube in Ulm (Baden-Württemberg) and Neu-Ulm (Bavaria), within walking distance of both city centers and the main train stations. Ulm/Neu-Ulm is excellently connected by ICE high-speed trains; travel by train and public transport is recommended.

Admission

The Danube Countries Market and the vast majority of the approximately 150 events are free. Individual concerts or special events may be subject to a charge.

Tip

Market opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 am–11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am–12 am. The program is extensive – a look at the detailed program on donaufest.de will help with planning.

A Festival of the Danube Countries

The Danube connects ten countries from Germany to the Black Sea. The International Danube Festival Ulm/Neu-Ulm makes this connection visible and tangible: every two years, people, artists, and cultural creators from the entire Danube region meet on the banks of the Danube in Ulm and Neu-Ulm. The organizer is the Donaubüro Ulm/Neu-Ulm.

Danube Countries Market

The heart of the festival is the Danube Countries Market: stalls line the riverbanks, reflecting the diversity of cultures, musical and dance forms, and ways of life along the river. Visitors can experience authentic crafts, traditional music, and culinary specialties from the various countries and regions – from Bavaria and Austria, through Hungary and the Balkans, to Romania and Bulgaria.

Around 150 Events

The Danube Festival is not just a market festival, but a cultural festival: around 150 events over ten days – concerts (classical, jazz, Balkan, world music, folk, pop), dance, literature, theatre, exhibitions, discussions, and a dedicated family and children's program. The vast majority are free of charge.

Understanding Among Peoples Along the River

Beyond the cultural aspect, the Danube Festival is also a forum for encounters and understanding among peoples. For the 2026/27 edition, the festival was awarded the European EFFE Label (Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe), an award for outstanding cultural festivals in Europe.