Jazzfest Bonn

Bonn — A City of Jazz Between Beethoven and the Rhine

Bonn, the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, impresses visitors not only with Beethoven, the federal district, and the Rhine but also with its jazz culture, which has grown over the decades. Founded in 2010 under the artistic direction of Peter Materna, Jazzfest Bonn has become one of the most important German jazz festivals in 15 years — and in 2026, it will surpass the threshold of 10,000 tickets sold for the first time.

Program 2026 — 'The Human Factor – Real and Irreplaceable'

The motto of the 2026 edition is a clear statement: against the algorithmization of listening on streaming platforms, for human encounters in the concert hall. Peter Materna focuses on a mix of international stars (Garbarek, Scofield, Cobham), European top acts (Muthspiel, Rantala, Neset, Nergaard, Abou-Khalil), and discoveries like the Norwegian trumpeter Hildegunn Øiseth, who uses traditional instruments in a contemporary context.

Opening with Jan Garbarek in the Beethovenhalle

The opening on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM, is one of the festival's strong statements: Jan Garbarek Group feat. Trilok Gurtu in the re-opened Beethovenhalle. Garbarek, the Norwegian ECM saxophonist, has been an icon of European jazz since the 1970s. The concert is already sold out — proof of the Bonn audience's enthusiasm.

30 Concerts at 11 Venues

The festival takes place at eleven venues — an architectural and acoustic diversity that few German festivals can match: Beethovenhalle (classical hall), Bundeskunsthalle, Pantheon (Bonn's main jazz stage), Haus der Geschichte, Collegium Leoninum, Post Tower (concert in a high-rise), Opernhaus, Volksbank ErlebnisCenter, Bonner Münster, Kreuzkirche, Telekom Forum. Some concerts will be broadcast live by Deutschlandfunk and WDR 3.

Highlights of the Second Half of April

After the opening, there will be double evenings at the Pantheon (Caris Hermes Group, Hildegunn Øiseth, Rob Luft Trio, David Helbock & Julia Hofer, Yumi Ito, Donny McCaslin), at the Haus der Geschichte (Günter Baby Sommer & Ulrich Gumpert), and at the Collegium Leoninum (Marlies Debacker, Lau Noah). The Post Tower evening with Nicole Zuraitis and Shake Stew (April 30) is considered an architectural highlight.

Highlights at the Beginning of May

The Opernhaus presents a double bill on May 1: John Scofield & Gerald Clayton with Marius Neset CABARET — both already sold out. This is followed by Iiro Rantala TRINITY and The Billy Cobham 5tet at the Pantheon (May 2, sold out), and Kadri Voorand & Mihkel Mälgand and the Wolfgang Muthspiel Chamber Trio (May 3). On May 7, the Silje Nergaard Guitar Trio performs at the Bonner Münster.

Finale and Extended Date in June

The finale on May 9 at the Telekom Forum features two big band highlights: the Fuchsthone Orchestra feat. Evi Filippou and the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra feat. Jazzmeia Horn. Additionally, the 'Jazzfest Bonn Extended' event on June 27, 2026: Esperanza Spalding with the Anton Mangold Quintett at the Opernhaus — the international star to conclude the season.

Tickets, Radio, and Travel

Many concerts are sold out (Garbarek, Scofield, Cobham, Nergaard), but tickets are still available for others. Broadcasts via Deutschlandfunk (Bundeskunsthalle, Pantheon) and WDR 3 (Opernhaus, Pantheon, Kreuzkirche). Bonn is excellently connected by ICE and IC trains, and all venues are within walking distance or reachable by city bus.