fill in — Jazz Open Air Bostalsee

Jazz with a lake view

The fill in — Jazz Open Air Bostalsee is the summer edition of the Saarland jazz festival fill in, organized by the Tourismus Zentrale Saarland. While the main event takes place in June at Saarbrücken's E-Werk, the festival moves its stage to Bostalsee in the district of St. Wendel — the largest reservoir in Saarland — at the end of July/beginning of August.

Bostalsee as a stage

With an area of 1.2 square kilometers, Bostalsee is not only the largest inland body of water in Saarland but also one of the most spectacular open-air backdrops the state has to offer. The grandstand is located on the lake shore, and the audience enjoys jazz against the backdrop of the water — a scene that is firmly part of the cultural summer in the St. Wendel region.

International Stars 2026

The 2026 program demonstrates the festival's caliber:

• Yellowjackets — American fusion jazz giants, active since 1977
• Rebekka Bakken — Norwegian jazz singer of international renown
• Grégory Privat — French pianist, one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz
• Louisiana Avenue Mardi-Gras Band — New Orleans jazz atmosphere at Bostalsee

Three dates, one festival

In 2026, fill in will be held at three venues:

1. June 26–28, 2026: Main event at Saarbrücken's E-Werk
2. July 31 – August 1, 2026: Open Air at Bostalsee
3. October 24, 2026: Autumn event in St. Ingbert

The open-air edition at Bostalsee forms the most summery leg of this triumvirate.

Saarland's Jazz Tradition

Saarland has a remarkable jazz tradition: the Big Band of Saarländischer Rundfunk is among Germany's most renowned radio orchestras, the JazzNow festival in Saarbrücken holds international significance, and fill in is one of the state's most important curated jazz festivals.