Lake Constance Festival — International Classical Music Festival
38th edition of the trinational classical festival under the theme "In Motion"
About Lake Constance Festival
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Trinational Festival on Lake Constance
Since 1989, the Lake Constance Festival has united the classical music scene of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland around Lake Constance. For three weeks in May, concert halls, theaters, and festival venues from Bregenz to Lindau, Friedrichshafen, Meersburg, Konstanz, Stein am Rhein, and Schaffhausen present a joint program. With around 60 events at 20 venues, the festival is one of Central Europe's largest classical summer festivals and is characterized by its cross-border programming.
Theme 2026: "In Motion"
The 38th edition is themed "In Motion" — an invitation to the audience to be moved physically, emotionally, and intellectually by art and culture. The theme permeates the entire program: choreographic concerts, mobile performances in motion, works reflecting migration and travel experiences, as well as site-specific performances in various Lake Constance cities.
Artist and Ensemble in Residence
Artist in Residence 2026 is cellist Nicolas Altstaedt, one of the most distinguished cellists of his generation, known for his commitment to early music and contemporary composition. Ensemble in Residence is Kebyart, the Spanish saxophone quartet — a young ensemble that has gained attention in recent years with innovative programs.
Konstanz Program
In Konstanz, the largest city on Lake Constance and the seat of the festival secretariat, concerts take place at three central venues: the historic Konzil (site of the Council of Constance 1414–1418), the Spiegelhalle (Konzilstraße 1), and the Kulturzentrum am Münster. Highlight on May 19th, 2026: At the Konzil Konstanz, Kebyart meets the Bodensee Philharmonie and the Stella Music Academy Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mario Venzago — an unusual constellation with high expectations.
Festival Opening with Freiburger Barockorchester
The 2026 festival opened with the Freiburger Barockorchester and Nicolas Altstaedt. The concert marked the start of three weeks of programming, ranging from Baroque to Classical, Romantic, and contemporary periods, always reflecting the theme "In Motion."
Konstanz on Lake Constance
Konstanz is the seat of the district administration of the Konstanz district and, with around 85,000 inhabitants, the largest city on the German shore of Lake Constance. The historic old town with the Konzil, Münster, and the Imperia statue in the harbor is a year-round tourist destination, even more so during the May festival period.
Lake Constance Festival — edition 2026
Three Weeks, Three Countries, "In Motion"
The 2026 edition continues the trinational concept of the festival and places it under a dynamic theme. Choreographic concerts, mobile performances, works on migration and travel experiences, site-specific performances in various Lake Constance cities — the 2026 program aims to literally set things in motion.
Nicolas Altstaedt, as Artist in Residence, shapes the festival with solo concerts, chamber music performances, and several orchestral encounters. Kebyart, as Ensemble in Residence, brings saxophone quartet repertoire into dialogical constellations with orchestras and solo partners.
Programme Lake Constance Festival 2026
Opening
- May 2, 2026 — Opening concert with the Freiburger Barockorchester and Nicolas Altstaedt
Konstanz Program Highlights
- May 19, 2026 — Konzil Konstanz — Kebyart meets Bodensee Philharmonie and Stella Music Academy Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mario Venzago
- Several other concerts in Spiegelhalle, Konzil, and Kulturzentrum am Münster — details at bodenseefestival.de/programm/uebersicht/
Other Regional Venues
- Bregenz (Festspielhaus, Pfarrkirchen)
- Lindau (Inselhalle, Marienkirche)
- Friedrichshafen (Graf-Zeppelin-Haus)
- Meersburg (Schloss, Schlosskirche)
- Schaffhausen (Stadttheater, Churches)
- Stein am Rhein, Romanshorn, other locations
Programmatic Focus
- Solo concerts and chamber music with Nicolas Altstaedt
- Saxophone quartet Kebyart in various constellations
- Works from the 18th–21st centuries focusing on migration, travel, movement
- World premieres and commissioned compositions
- Family concerts and educational formats
Highlights Lake Constance Festival 2026
- 38th edition of the trinational Lake Constance Classical Festival
- Theme "In Motion"
- Nicolas Altstaedt as Artist in Residence
- Saxophone quartet Kebyart as Ensemble in Residence
- 60+ events at 20 venues
- Konstanz Highlight: Kebyart + Bodensee Philharmonie on May 19th at the Konzil
- Opening with Freiburger Barockorchester
Prices Lake Constance Festival 2026
Tickets per concert EUR 13–80 (solo recitals cheaper, large orchestral concerts more expensive). Discounts for students, seniors, and the severely disabled. Festival passes available for regular attendees. Advance booking via bodenseefestival.de and Reservix.
Practical information — Lake Constance Festival
Getting There
Konstanz main train station is directly accessible by IC from Zurich (1h 15m), Stuttgart (3h), and by RE from Singen. From the main station, it's a 5-minute walk to the Konzil and Spiegelhalle. By car, take the B 33 (Singen–Konstanz) and A 81 (to Singen). Ample P+R parking spaces are available outside the old town.
Tickets and Admission
Tickets range from EUR 13–80 depending on the event (discounts for students and seniors). Advance booking via bodenseefestival.de and Reservix. Important concerts often sell out several weeks in advance.
Festival Hotel Packages
Konstanz hotels offer special festival packages including accommodation and concert tickets — available via the Konstanz Tourism website.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Lake Constance Festival
Konzil Konstanz, Spiegelhalle, Kulturzentrum am Münster
Spiegelhalle, Konzilstr. 1, 78462 Konstanz