International Danube Festival Ulm/Neu-Ulm

International Danube Festival — A Bridge Between 10 Danube Countries

The International Danube Festival Ulm/Neu-Ulm is one of Central Europe's most ambitious cultural festivals. Since 1998, it has brought together artists, craftspeople, and associations from the ten Danube countries every two years on the Danube banks of the twin cities of Ulm (Baden-Württemberg) and Neu-Ulm (Bavaria): Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. The slogan "10 Countries — 10 Days — 1 Festival" encapsulates the idea. The 14th edition in 2026 carries the EFFE (European Festivals Forum) label — an official seal of quality for European festivals.

2026 Programme — Over 180 Free Events

The 2026 programme includes over 180 events, almost all of them free of charge. On the various stages along the Danube bank — the Donaubühne on the Ulm Danube bank, the Hauptbühne Donaufest in Neu-Ulm, smaller stages, and venues — acts from the ten Danube countries alternate. Expected performers include: Bulgarian reggae, Croatian flamenco, Moldovan rock, Romanian folk music, Hungarian folk bands, and electronic acts from Belgrade and Bucharest. In addition, there will be dance, literature, readings, theatre, and discussions.

Danube Market — 90 Exhibitors from 10 Countries

The Danube Market is one of the festival's highlights: around 90 exhibitors from all 10 Danube countries set up their stalls along the Ulm and Neu-Ulm Danube banks, presenting authentic crafts (Romanian ceramics, Hungarian embroidery, Croatian wood carvings, Bulgarian traditional costumes, Slovak wooden spoons, etc.), traditional and contemporary music, and the specialties of the Danube regions — from Hungarian goulash and Romanian sarmale to Serbian ćevapčići and Croatian burek, and Austrian Sachertorte. The market stretches along Schwörhausgasse, the Donaupromenade, and Sedanstraße Neu-Ulm.

International Youth Camp and Family Activities

Concurrently, an International Youth Camp is taking place: young adults from all 10 Danube countries live together in Ulm for a week, work in workshops, and create joint contributions to the festival programme. This youth component has been a political and educational hallmark of the festival since its early years — it aims to strengthen cross-border understanding beyond the former Iron Curtain. For families, there are family programmes with children's workshops, a street food area, and themed guided tours.

Ulm and Neu-Ulm — Twin Cities on the Danube

Ulm (Baden-Württemberg, district 08421, approx. 126,000 inhabitants) and Neu-Ulm (Bavaria, district Neu-Ulm, approx. 60,000 inhabitants) form a remarkable twin city: separated by the Danube, which also marks the state border between Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria here. Ulm boasts the world's tallest church spire (Ulmer Münster, 161.5 m). The Danube Festival uses this location as a programmatic advantage — concerts play on one state's side, then the other, and the Danube Market is spread across both banks.