Lauterbacher Pfingstmusiktage

Whit Sunday as the Classical Music Centre of Central Hesse

For over fifty years, the Lauterbacher Pfingstmusiktage have been the musical Whit highlight in Oberhessen. The 52nd edition in 2026 runs for three days – Whit Saturday, May 23rd, Whit Sunday, May 24th, and Whit Monday, May 25th – bringing international ensembles to the historic old town of Lauterbach (Hesse), a small town of just under 14,000 inhabitants in the Vogelsberg region.

Organisers and Tradition

The organiser is the Evangelical Parish Office Lauterbach-Wartenberg. Claudia Regel has been the artistic director for years, curating a broadly diverse program – from Renaissance vocal music to tango and Klezmer, from family participatory concerts to a cappella cabaret. This approach has long been its hallmark.

Venues – The Entire Old Town

Lauterbach spreads its Pfingstmusiktage across the entire city centre:

• Evangelische Stadtkirche Lauterbach (Main venue, sacred programs and gala concert)
• Hohhaus with its Rococo Hall (intimate chamber music)
• Adolf-Spieß-Halle (Larger audience, cabaret)
• Evangelische Kirche Angersbach (Off-site venue)
• AvH-School (Family program)

This spatial diversity is by design – during the Whit weekend, you walk through Lauterbach, from the intimate Rococo Hall to the large festival hall and back to the town church.

Whit Sunday – "Tales – Psalms – Gloria"

The Gala Concert on Whit Sunday, May 24th, 2026, in the town church is the musical and liturgical highlight. Under the direction of Susanne Rohn, a sophisticated program will be performed – with the subtitle "Tales – Psalms – Gloria", a combination of contemporary and classical vocal and choral music. Traditionally, the program includes Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Rutter's Gloria.

LaLeLu to Conclude on Whit Monday

The renowned a cappella cabaret LaLeLu will perform the closing act on Whit Monday, May 25th, 2026, at 3 PM, in the Adolf-Spieß-Halle. LaLeLu is one of Germany's best-known a cappella groups, celebrated for their satirical-musical programs at the intersection of comedy and vocal music. An unusually charming end to an otherwise classically oriented festival week.

Saxofourte, Calmus, Trio Nidaš

Also featured in the program: Saxofourte (saxophone quartet from classical to contemporary, with singer Kathrin Sälzle and the program "Golden Twenties – A Journey Through a Century") on Friday afternoon in Angersbach. Calmus Ensemble (one of Germany's most renowned vocal quintets) on Friday at 8 PM in the town church. Trio Nidaš with classical music, Klezmer, and tango on Saturday at 4:30 PM in the Rococo Hall of the Hohhaus. Family Concert "Quatsch mit Strophen" with Dominik Merscheid and Clown Roberto on Saturday at 3 PM at the AvH-School.