Jazzweekend Wenzenbach — Bavarian Jazz Weekend (Offsite Venue)

The Bavarian Jazz Weekend in the Province

The Bavarian Jazz Weekend Regensburg is one of the oldest and largest free jazz festivals in Germany. For decades, it has transformed Regensburg's old town into an open stage for a weekend, with performances in historic squares, pubs, courtyards, and along the Danube. The festival is complemented by offsite venues in the surrounding district — particularly Kallmünz and Wenzenbach.

Wenzenbach and Schönberg Castle

Wenzenbach is located about ten kilometers northeast of Regensburg. The venue is the courtyard of Schönberg Castle, a historically significant courtyard in the Schönberg district. The free open-air stage offers a special atmosphere — castle walls, open sky, a compact audience instead of an anonymous main stage. The combination of rural castle ambiance and urban jazz spirit makes the Wenzenbach venue a secret tip of the festival.

Program — Ensembles and Big Bands

The Wenzenbach program classically focuses on the main weekend (Saturday/Sunday) of the Bavarian Jazz Weekend. Typical structure: Saturday evening with two concerts (an ensemble, a big band, or a modern jazz combo), Sunday morning jazz brunch with one or two more acoustic formations. In past years, the Laura Detterbeck Quintett, Mike's Music Train Big Band, Adabei, and the Woodsidejumpers have performed here — the exact lineup for 2026 will be published soon.

Free and Close

Like all venues of the Bavarian Jazz Weekend, Wenzenbach also offers free admission. A free shuttle bus runs between the Wenzenbach sports field and Schönberg Castle courtyard — parking directly at the castle is limited. Those who want to experience the whole weekend can ideally combine Wenzenbach with the main festival in Regensburg, the second offsite venue Kallmünz, or both.

A Festival Structure with Tradition

The program curation for 2026 is handled by the Jazz Department of the Nuremberg University of Music — the three Bavarian universities of music in Munich, Nuremberg, and Würzburg take turns managing the festival annually. This academic network ensures a consistent standard and visibility for emerging talent.