Klassik Open Air Heilbronn
Free open-air classical music festival on Kiliansplatz in front of the Gothic Kilianskirche
About Klassik Open Air Heilbronn
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Classical Music Under the Open Sky — Against a Medieval Backdrop
Heilbronn, with around 125,000 inhabitants, is one of the larger medium-sized cities in northern Baden-Württemberg, located on the Neckar and the capital of the Heilbronn-Franken region. Kiliansplatz is the central square of Heilbronn's city center, dominated by the late Gothic Kilianskirche (construction period 1280–1480) with its high-Gothic sandstone altar by Hans Seyfer (one of the most important works of South German late Gothic art). This backdrop is the setting for the Klassik Open Air.
Württembergisches Kammerorchester as Host
The organizer is the Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn (WKO), one of Germany's most renowned chamber orchestras — internationally celebrated for its lean, precise interpretive style of Mozart, Schubert, and classical repertoire. The WKO regularly tours Asia, the USA, and Europe and sees its home-based classical open-air event as a cultural gift to the citizens of Heilbronn.
Highlight 2026: Under the Southern Sun
The musical highlight of 2026 is the Saturday concert on July 4th, 7:30 PM, featuring the Württembergisches Kammerorchester, the Frank Dupree Trio, and saxophonist Libor Šima. Frank Dupree (piano and direction), Jakob Krupp (bass), and Meinhard Obi Jenne (drums) form one of the most exciting cross-over trios on the German classical scene — piano jazz with classical depth and unpretentious improvisational artistry.
The Program
Under the title Under the Southern Sun, the program moves between Mediterranean classical music, French impressionism, jazz, and film music:
- Manuel de Falla — Danza ritual del Fuego (from El amor brujo)
- Maurice Ravel — Petite Symphonie à cordes (excerpt)
- Jean Françaix — Divertissement for Bassoon and Strings
- Darius Milhaud — Scaramouche
- Gabriel Fauré — Pavane op. 50
- Henry Mancini — Lujon
- Michel Legrand — You Must Believe in Spring
- Joseph Cosma — Autumn Leaves
Free Admission — Three Days of Open Air
The festival runs from July 2nd to 4th, 2026, with the main concert on Saturday, July 4th, at 7:30 PM. Thursday and Friday are traditionally dedicated to younger ensembles, youth orchestras, or emerging soloists. Admission to all concerts is free — the WKO and the City of Heilbronn emphasize that classical music should not be an elitist experience. Seating is partially available; blankets for picnicking on the square are permitted and encouraged.
Klassik Open Air Heilbronn — edition 2026
Three Open-Air Days in Early July
From Thursday, July 2nd to Saturday, July 4th, 2026, the Württembergisches Kammerorchester will transform Kiliansplatz in front of the late Gothic Kilianskirche into a free open-air concert hall. The main concert on Saturday evening (7:30 PM) is titled 'Under the Southern Sun' and combines classics of the Mediterranean and French repertoire with film music and jazz standards. Frank Dupree (piano, direction), Jakob Krupp (bass), and Meinhard Jenne (drums) as a trio, along with Libor Šima (saxophone), will create an evening bridging classical and jazz with the WKO.
Thursday and Friday — programs not yet published at the time of research — are traditionally reserved for emerging ensembles and soloists.
Programme Klassik Open Air Heilbronn 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Opening Concert
- Program to be published by WKO in early summer 2026 at wko-heilbronn.de
Friday, July 3, 2026 — Second Concert Evening
- Program to be published by WKO in early summer 2026 at wko-heilbronn.de
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 7:30 PM — Main Concert 'Under the Southern Sun'
Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn with Frank Dupree Trio (Piano & Direction Frank Dupree, Bass Jakob Krupp, Drums Meinhard Obi Jenne) and Libor Šima (Saxophone).
- Manuel de Falla — Danza ritual del Fuego
- Maurice Ravel — Petite Symphonie à cordes (excerpt)
- Jean Françaix — Divertissement for Bassoon and Strings
- Darius Milhaud — Scaramouche
- Gabriel Fauré — Pavane op. 50
- Henry Mancini — Lujon
- Michel Legrand — You Must Believe in Spring
- Joseph Cosma — Autumn Leaves
Highlights Klassik Open Air Heilbronn 2026
- Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn as host
- Frank Dupree Trio — one of Germany's most exciting cross-over trios
- Saxophonist Libor Šima as soloist
- Program 'Under the Southern Sun': de Falla, Ravel, Fauré, Mancini, Legrand
- Setting: Kiliansplatz in front of the late Gothic Kilianskirche
- Free admission to all three concerts
Prices Klassik Open Air Heilbronn 2026
Free admission to all three concerts of the Klassik Open Air Heilbronn. Seating on Kiliansplatz is limited; blankets for picnicking on the square are permitted and encouraged.
Practical information — Klassik Open Air Heilbronn
Getting There
Heilbronn Hauptbahnhof (main station) is a hub for the Frankenbahn (Stuttgart–Würzburg) and the Heilbronn Stadtbahn. From the main station to Kiliansplatz, it's about a 10-minute walk or take the Stadtbahn S 41/S 42 (stop: Heilbronn Harmonie).
Dates 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Opening Concert (exact program not yet published). Friday, July 3, 2026 — Concert (exact program not yet published). Saturday, July 4, 2026, 7:30 PM — Main Concert 'Under the Southern Sun' with WKO, Frank Dupree Trio, and Libor Šima.
Admission
Free admission to all three concerts. Seating is limited, early arrival recommended. Due to weather conditions: Concerts proceed in all weather; in case of thunderstorms, interruption or relocation to the Kilianskirche is possible.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Klassik Open Air Heilbronn
Kiliansplatz Heilbronn (vor der Kilianskirche)
Kiliansplatz, 74072 Heilbronn