Jazztime Hildesheim
Traditional Jazz and Blues Festival on Pentecost Weekend since 1979
About Jazztime
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Over Four Decades of Jazz in Hildesheim
Founded in 1979, Jazztime Hildesheim is one of Lower Saxony's most traditional jazz festivals. Over the decades, it has established itself as a fixture in the North German jazz scene. Numerous stars from the German and international scene have performed here, and the festival is considered a platform for both established stars and young talents.
Two Worlds in One Weekend
The festival's dramaturgy thrives on the combination of two event formats. On the Historic Market Square, the free open-air stage plays from midday into the evening on Sunday and Monday, turning the market square with the Knochenhaueramtshaus, Tempelhaus, and historic facades into Lower Saxony's largest jazz sound zone. Several bands alternate, the seats on the surrounding steps and in the cafés fill up, and the audience ranges from jazz connoisseurs to families who drop by spontaneously.
Gala Evenings at the City Theater
In parallel, the high-caliber gala concerts take place at the Hildesheim City Theater. In 2026, two particularly prominent names are on the program: the Thomas Quasthoff Quartet on Pentecost Saturday and Afra Kane & Band on Pentecost Sunday. Thomas Quasthoff, one of the outstanding baritone voices of our time and a multiple Grammy winner, has intensely turned to jazz after his classical career. Swiss pianist Afra Kane combines jazz, soul, and classical influences into a distinctive style.
Genre Diversity
Jazztime never limits itself strictly: mainstream jazz, swing, bebop, modern jazz, vocal jazz, blues, and also funk- and soul-oriented styles find their place. This openness has attracted a broad audience to the festival and ensures new stylistic accents every year.
Pentecost Weekend in Hildesheim
The festival traditionally falls on the Pentecost weekend, one of the most important dates in the Lower Saxony event calendar. With Hildesheim as the venue, the UNESCO World Heritage surroundings, and the lively city center, it creates a festival weekend that combines musical experience with city exploration. Many visitors combine their festival visit with a weekend stay in the city.
Jazztime — edition 2026
The 2026 edition offers the festival's typical mix: accessible open-air on the Market Square for a broad audience, combined with refined theater evenings for jazz connoisseurs. Thomas Quasthoff brings his unmistakable voice and his quartet to the Hildesheim stage, while Afra Kane represents a younger, soul-oriented jazz generation with her trio.
On the Market Square, bands from Lower Saxony, Northern Germany, and across the country will perform; the exact lineup will be announced by the organizer in spring 2026.
Programme Jazztime 2026
2026 Program (Confirmed Highlights)
- Saturday, May 23, 2026 evening – Gala Evening City Theater: Thomas Quasthoff Quartet.
- Sunday, May 24, 2026 evening – Gala Evening City Theater: Afra Kane & Band.
- Sunday, May 24, 2026 daytime – Open-air program Market Square: several bands alternating, free, from late morning to evening.
- Monday, May 25, 2026 (Pentecost Monday) – Open-air program Market Square: continuation of the open-air program with more bands.
Stages
- Open-air Market Square – large open-air stage with a view of the Knochenhaueramtshaus.
- Hildesheim City Theater – acoustically high-quality hall for the ticketed gala evenings.
Areas and Atmosphere
The Market Square becomes a temporary open-air living room through the festival: the steps and cafés fill up, the audience is a mix of jazz fans, Hildesheim families, and festival tourists. In the theater, the focus is on concentrated listening pleasure.
Highlights Jazztime 2026
- Thomas Quasthoff Quartet on Pentecost Saturday at the City Theater
- Afra Kane & Band on Pentecost Sunday at the City Theater
- Free open-air stage on the Historic Market Square on Pentecost Sunday and Monday
- Over 40 years of festival tradition since 1979
- Mix of jazz, blues, vocal jazz, and soul
- Pentecost weekend in the UNESCO World Heritage city
Prices Jazztime 2026
Practical information — Jazztime
Date 2026
- Friday, May 22 to Monday, May 25, 2026 (Pentecost Weekend)
- Open-air on the Market Square: Pentecost Sunday and Pentecost Monday (starts late morning until evening)
- Gala evenings at the City Theater: Pentecost Saturday and Pentecost Sunday
Venues
- Historic Market Square Hildesheim (Open-air, free)
- Hildesheim City Theater, Theaterstraße 6, 31141 Hildesheim (Gala evenings, ticketed)
Admission
- Open-air concerts on the Market Square: free
- Gala evenings at the City Theater: ticketed (advance booking via official sales channels)
Getting There
- Hildesheim Main Station, approx. 10 minutes walk to the Market Square and City Theater
- Parking garages in the city center
Tips
- Early ticket booking for gala evenings recommended
- Bring blankets or folding chairs for longer Market Square sessions
- Restaurants and cafés around the Market Square open their outdoor seating areas
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Travel to this festival
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