International Jazz Days Bad Elster
22nd edition of the Saxon jazz highlight in the Royal Spa Town from August 7 to 16, 2026
About Jazz Days Bad Elster
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Jazz in the Royal Spa Town
Bad Elster — a Saxon spa town on the Czech border, with just under 4,000 inhabitants — is the smallest German town with its own theatre and an extensive cultural summer program. Thanks to the Royal Gardens between the Royal Albert Theatre, the Nature Theatre, and the KunstWandelhalle, the International Jazz Days have been held here annually since 2005 — a festival that has evolved from a regionally intended summer concert into a nationally recognized event on the German jazz calendar.
Three Venues, Three Atmospheres
The festival utilizes three very different spaces: The large evening concerts featuring symphony orchestras take place in the Neo-Baroque Royal Albert Theatre (built in 1914) — gilded boxes, velvet seats, perfect acoustics. The open-air Nature Theatre is the stage for summer open-air concerts with brass bands and swing — stars, warm summer air, wooden seating rows. The KunstWandelhalle offers an intimate setting for piano matinees, solo concerts, and chamber music crossover formats. The mix of venues is part of the festival's identity.
Program Philosophy: Jazz in a Broad Sense
“Jazz” is deliberately understood broadly in Bad Elster. The program includes classic mainstream jazz, swing, big band, but also crossover to classical music (e.g., Emma Smith with the MDR Symphony Orchestra), world music, folk music (LaBrassBanda with Bavarian polka party), rock 'n' roll and rhythm 'n' blues (The Ballroomshakers), and blues and boogie-woogie (Die 4 Pianeure). This openness has attracted an audience that extends far beyond the traditional jazz community.
Bad Elster and the Chursächsische Sommer
The Jazz Days are part of the Chursächsische Sommer — a multi-month cultural program curated by Chursächsische Veranstaltungs GmbH between May and September in Bad Elster and Bad Brambach. Bad Elster itself has been a royal Saxon state spa since the 19th century, one of the most traditional health resorts in Central Europe. Visitors to the Jazz Festival can combine concert evenings with walks through the Royal Gardens, a dip in the brine thermal baths, and excursions into the Vogtland hinterland.
Jazz Days Bad Elster — edition 2026
22nd Edition 2026 — Over Ten Days of Jazz in the Vogtland
From August 7 to 16, 2026, the Royal Gardens of Bad Elster will transform into Saxony's largest jazz stage. For over ten days, a meticulously curated program will unfold, featuring main concerts at the König Albert Theater, open-air evenings at the NaturTheater, and intimate matinees at the KunstWandelhalle. The opening with the MDR Symphony Orchestra and English jazz singer Emma Smith also marks a highlight of the crossover concept that has been successful in Bad Elster for years.
LaBrassBanda — the Bavarian brass sensation led by Stefan Dettl — will bring their polka party to the NaturTheater, while The Ballroomshakers will serve up swing and rhythm 'n' blues. Die 4 Pianeure will provide a piano blues evening, and Radim Vojíř will draw the festival audience to the KunstWandelhalle with morning jazz concerts. A big band jazz promenade concert on the Badeplatz (spa grounds) and special concerts with the Chursächsische Philharmonie will round off the program.
Programme Jazz Days Bad Elster 2026
August 7–16, 2026 — Selection of Confirmed Concerts
- Emma Smith & MDR Symphony Orchestra — orchestral jazz crossover (König Albert Theater)
- LaBrassBanda — "The Bavarian Polka Party" (NaturTheater)
- The Ballroomshakers — Swing, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Rock 'n' Roll
- Die 4 Pianeure — Blues & Boogie-Woogie
- Radim Vojíř — "Morning Moments in Jazz" (Matinees in the KunstWandelhalle)
- Big Band Jazz Promenade on the Badeplatz
- Special Concerts with the Chursächsische Philharmonie
The complete detailed program with times and tickets is available at chursaechsische.de; ticket advance sales via tickets.vibus.de.
Highlights Jazz Days Bad Elster 2026
- 22nd edition over ten days of jazz
- Opening with Emma Smith and the MDR Symphony Orchestra
- LaBrassBanda at the NaturTheater
- Three distinct venues (Theatre, Open Air, KunstWandelhalle)
- Main event of the Chursächsische Sommer 2026
- Big Band Jazz Promenade in the spa park
Prices Jazz Days Bad Elster 2026
Ticket prices vary by concert and venue. Online advance booking via tickets.vibus.de, by phone at Tourist-Info Bad Elster +49 37437 53900.
Practical information — Jazz Days Bad Elster
Date 2026
August 7 to 16, 2026 (22nd edition).
Venues
König Albert Theater (Theaterplatz 1), NaturTheater, and KunstWandelhalle Bad Elster, 08645 Bad Elster.
Admission / Tickets
Ticket prices vary by concert; online advance booking via tickets.vibus.de. Detailed prices on chursaechsische.de.
Getting There
By train: From Plauen or Hof, take the Vogtlandbahn to Bad Elster (station within walking distance of the theatre locations). By car: via the A 72 (exit Plauen-Süd) or via Bavaria A 93/B 173.
Organizer
Chursächsische Veranstaltungs GmbH, Tourist-Info Bad Elster, Phone +49 37437 53900.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Jazz Days Bad Elster
König Albert Theater, NaturTheater und KunstWandelhalle Bad Elster
König Albert Theater, Theaterplatz 1, 08645 Bad Elster, 08645 Bad Elster