International Organ Summer Potsdam
Concert series in Potsdam's historic organs — from early July to early September
2026
About Organ Summer Potsdam
Organ Summer Potsdam — edition 2026
2026 Season — Nine Weeks of Organ Culture
The 2026 season includes around ten concerts and an accompanying masterclass weekend. All concerts begin at 6 PM.
Main Concerts
Opening concert on July 5 at the Erlöserkirche with Martin Baker. Sunday-by-Sunday program in the five main churches with international guest organists. Mid-August concerts at the Nikolaikirche (July 19, August 9, and 30, each at 6 PM).
Masterclass Weekend September 3–6
Young organists will give recitals at the Garnisonkirche (September 5, 6 PM — "Organ Evening Favorite Pieces") and the Französische Kirche, before the closing concert at the Nikolaikirche on September 6 at 6 PM crowns the season.
Highlights Organ Summer Potsdam 2026
- Martin Baker (London) — Opening concert at the Erlöserkirche
- Jean-Baptiste Robin (Versailles) — Court Organist at the Palace of Versailles
- Pavel Kohout (Prague) and Jean-Christophe Geiser (Lausanne) at the Great Nikolai Organ
- Closing concert September 6 at the Nikolaikirche
Programme Organ Summer Potsdam 2026
2026 Program (Selection)
- Sun July 5 — Erlöserkirche, 6 PM — Martin Baker (London) — Opening Concert
- Sun July 19 — Nikolaikirche, 6 PM — Concert on the Great Nikolai Organ
- Sun Aug 9 — Nikolaikirche, 6 PM
- August — Concerts at Friedenskirche Sanssouci and Französische Kirche with Marc Fitze (Bern), Victoria Ulriksen (Oslo), Pavel Kohout (Prague), Jean-Baptiste Robin (Versailles), Jean-Christophe Geiser (Lausanne)
- Sun Aug 30 — Nikolaikirche, 6 PM
- Thu Sep 3 – Sun Sep 6 — International Organ Masterclass (Nikolai, Friedenskirche, Erlöserkirche)
- Sat Sep 5 — Garnisonkirche, 6 PM — "Organ Evening Favorite Pieces" with Masterclass Participants
- Sun Sep 6 — Nikolaikirche, 6 PM — Closing Concert
The full program with all soloists will be continuously updated at konzerte-potsdam.de.
Prices Organ Summer Potsdam 2026
Practical information — Organ Summer Potsdam
Getting There
Train: S7 or Regio to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, then a 10-minute walk to Alter Markt (Nikolaikirche).
Car: A115 Berlin–Potsdam, parking garages at Alter Markt or Luisenplatz.
Within the City: Most concert venues are within walking distance; only the Erlöserkirche in Bornstedter Feld is slightly outside (Tram 92/96).
Tickets
Tickets are available online via Eventim-Light and konzerte-potsdam.de, as well as by phone at +49 30 4799 7425. Individual ticket prices vary by venue. Students and severely disabled persons receive a discount.
Tip
Arrive early, as the Nikolaikirche, Friedenskirche, and Erlöserkirche offer different visual and acoustic perspectives. A ticket for the closing concert on September 6 is particularly worthwhile — the atmosphere in the Nikolaikirche at dusk is exceptional.
A Concert Series on Potsdam's Finest Organs
The International Organ Summer Potsdam is the state capital's premier summer concert series dedicated to the queen of instruments. Organized by the cantorates of the Nikolaikirche and the Friedenskirche, the festival brings internationally acclaimed organists to the historic instruments in Potsdam's city center and World Heritage parks every Sunday. In 2026, featured instruments include the Great Nikolai Organ on Alter Markt — Potsdam's largest musical instrument —, the Friedenskirche in Sanssouci Park, the Erlöserkirche, the Französische Kirche, and the rebuilt Garnisonkirche.
The 2026 Season
The 2026 Organ Summer opens on Sunday, July 5, at the Erlöserkirche with a concert by Martin Baker from London (formerly Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral). This is followed by weekly Sunday concerts in various churches — each at 6 PM. Among the guest artists in 2026 are: Marc Fitze (Bern), Victoria Ulriksen (Oslo), Pavel Kohout (Prague), Jean-Baptiste Robin (Versailles, Court Organist at the Palace of Versailles), and Jean-Christophe Geiser (Lausanne Cathedral).
The Masterclass
Alongside the concert series, an international organ masterclass takes place. Young organists from around the world work under the guidance of renowned teachers to prepare programs for the three main instruments — Nikolai, Friedenskirche, and Erlöserkirche. The highlight is the weekend of September 3–6, 2026: masterclass participants will give short recitals in the Garnisonkirche and the Französische Kirche, before the closing concert in the Nikolaikirche on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 6 PM, brings the season to a festive conclusion.
Potsdam's Organ Landscape
The concert series benefits from Potsdam's exceptional density of historic organs. The Great Nikolai Organ (Schuke organ, reconstructed in the spirit of the original Wagner organ) and the Sauer organ of the Friedenskirche in Sanssouci Park are among Brandenburg's most significant concert organs. Added to this are the Mediterranean-inspired acoustics of the Erlöserkirche, the intimate Französische Kirche on Bassinplatz, and the newly consecrated Garnisonkirche at Tag- und Nachtschlössle. The festival thus also serves as an organ-building tour of the city.
A Tradition with History
The Organ Summer emerged from the fusion of two older concert series (Nikolaikirche and Friedenskirche) and quickly established itself as Potsdam's most important summer classical music destination. It holds a special position within the state of Brandenburg — no other city boasts a comparable combination of World Heritage architecture and high-quality organ concerts.
Where it takes place Organ Summer Potsdam
Organ Summer Potsdam at a glance
History of Organ Summer Potsdam
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