International Jazz Week Burghausen
One of Europe's most renowned jazz festivals — since 1970 in the Wackerhalle and the historic old town
About Jazz Week Burghausen
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Jazz Week Burghausen al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Burghausen — the "Jazz City" on the Salzach
Burghausen, a town of 18,000 inhabitants in southeastern Upper Bavaria, right on the Austrian border, has been synonymous with high-quality jazz in Europe for five decades. The International Jazz Week Burghausen has been held annually in March since 1970 and is the centerpiece of an annual program that has officially established Burghausen as the "Jazz City".
Founded in 1970
The story begins with the meeting of two men: Helmut Viertl, a local jazz enthusiast, and Joe Viera, a Munich-based saxophonist and jazz educator. Their conviction: "Jazz belongs to the image of the city". Since then, the festival has developed continuously — from small sessions in the Jazzkeller to large concerts in the Wackerhalle with over 1,500 seats.
Wackerhalle, Stadtsaal, Jazzkeller
Venues of the Jazz Week include:
- The Wackerhalle — main venue with seating for approx. 1,500 spectators
- The Stadtsaal (Town Hall) of the City of Burghausen
- The Jazzkeller for intimate club concerts and sessions
- Various other venues in the historic old town — from the world's longest castle complex in Europe (1051 m) to the Renaissance old town
European Young Artists' Jazz Award
A special feature of the festival is the European Young Artists' Jazz Award — a prestigious award for young jazz musicians from all over Europe. The final takes place every year as part of the Jazz Week. Many winners have gone on to launch international careers.
Artists in History
The Jazz Week is a who's who of jazz history: Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Sonny Rollins — all have played here. Today, stars like Mike Stern, Wolfgang Haffner, Cory Henry, Theo Croker, Robben Ford, and Amy Gadiaga perform.
Organizers
The organizer is the Interessengemeinschaft Jazz Burghausen e.V. (IG Jazz), an association that organizes the festival with over 100 volunteers and programs jazz in the city throughout the year. The 50th edition (2019) attracted around 11,000 spectators and 240 musicians. Hotels are regularly fully booked during the festival week.
Discover Burghausen
Anyone coming to Burghausen for the Jazz Week will find one of Bavaria's most beautiful old towns: The Burghausen Castle, at 1,051 meters long, is the longest castle complex in the world according to Guinness. From the castle hill, you can look across the Salzach river to Austria. The old town, with its Renaissance facades, is one of the best-preserved in Southern Germany.
Jazz Week Burghausen — edition 2026
The 55th edition of the Jazz Week marks another anniversary year for one of Europe's oldest jazz festivals. From March 17 to 22, 2026, the program combines international stars with consistent support for young talent. The main venue is the Wackerhalle, complemented by the Stadtsaal, Jazzkeller, and other venues in the old town.
The concert series opens with the Mike Stern Band. During the week, drummer Wolfgang Haffner celebrates 50 years on stage with an all-star ensemble. Theo Croker presents a Miles Davis tribute project. Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles bring Grammy-winning funk-jazz. Young bassist Amy Gadiaga shares the stage with the Zurich Jazz Orchestra and guitar legend Robben Ford. Also featured: blues with Paul Lamb & The King Snakes and Ronnie Baker Brooks, experimental sounds with Stian Westerhus and Maja S. K. Ratkje, and the newcomers from the German Jazz Prize series Sonic Interventions.
On Sunday, the traditional youth day, Ayé, INUI, and the Jakob Bänsch Quintet will represent the young European jazz scene. The final of the 16th European Young Artists' Jazz Award will take place as usual during the week.
Programme Jazz Week Burghausen 2026
Program Highlights (As of Publication)
- Mike Stern Band — Wackerhalle, Opening Night
- Wolfgang Haffner All Star Celebration — "50 Years on Stage"
- Theo Croker — Miles Davis Tribute
- Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles — Multiple Grammy Winner
- Amy Gadiaga & Zurich Jazz Orchestra feat. Robben Ford
- Shuteen Erdenebaatar Trio
- Paul Lamb & The King Snakes / Ronnie Baker Brooks — Blues Series
- Stian Westerhus / Maja S. K. Ratkje — Experimental
- Sonic Interventions — German Jazz Prize Newcomer
- Ayé, INUI, Jakob Bänsch Quintet — Sunday Young Talent
- 16th European Young Artists' Jazz Award — Final
- Jam sessions every evening in the Jazzkeller
Media Broadcast
BR Klassik broadcasts live on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:03 PM to 12:00 AM. Concert videos available later on ardjazz.de and in the ARD media library.
Further Program Overview
The complete detailed program with dates and times for individual acts will be published on b-jazz.com/jazzwoche-burghausen-2026/ and in the Leporello program booklet.
Highlights Jazz Week Burghausen 2026
- 55th edition of one of Europe's oldest jazz festivals (since 1970)
- Mike Stern Band, Wolfgang Haffner (50th stage anniversary), Cory Henry, Theo Croker
- Live broadcast by BR Klassik on March 21
- 16th European Young Artists' Jazz Award
- Wackerhalle as the main venue, Jazzkeller for sessions
- Shuttle bus service and hotel packages from the organizer
Prices Jazz Week Burghausen 2026
Advance sales start on November 26, 2025, at 8:30 AM via the VIBUS ticketing system at b-jazz.com. Single tickets from approx. €35, festival pass for the entire week in the higher three-digit range. Gift vouchers available. Discounts for pupils, students, and jazz club members.
Practical information — Jazz Week Burghausen
Getting There
By car: A94 (Munich–Passau) exit Marktl, continue on the B12. By train: Burghausen station on the Mühldorf–Burghausen line. Approx. 1h45 by car from Munich Airport (FJS). Approx. 45 min by car from Salzburg Airport.
Tickets
Advance sales for 2026 start on November 26, 2025, at 8:30 AM via VIBUS. Festival passes, single tickets, and gift vouchers are available. Tickets start from approx. €35 (single concert) to €350+ (festival pass). Hotel packages and shuttle buses are offered by the organizer.
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses in Burghausen; early booking is strongly recommended due to limited capacity. Alternatives: Accommodation in Tittmoning, Trostberg, or Salzburg (45 min by shuttle or car).
Media
BR Klassik traditionally broadcasts a concert live (2026: Saturday, March 21, 10:03 PM–12:00 AM). Concert videos available later on ardjazz.de and in the ARD media library.
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.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Jazz Week Burghausen al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Jazz Week Burghausen
Wackerhalle, Stadtsaal, Jazzkeller und weitere Spielstätten
Wackerstraße 35, 84489 Burghausen