Mittelrhein Musik Festival – SWR Big Band Festung Ehrenbreitstein
Jazz Open-Air with the SWR Big Band at Festung Ehrenbreitstein as part of the Mittelrhein Musik Festival
About SWR Big Band Koblenz
The Mittelrhein Musik Festival is one of the most important classical summer series in Rhineland-Palatinate. Every year between May and August, the festival uses historic venues in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage site – from Koblenz to Bingen and Rüdesheim – for high-caliber concerts. The artistic profile combines classical music, jazz, world music, and cross-genre projects.
SWR Big Band – European Jazz Excellence
The SWR Big Band, based in Stuttgart, has been one of Europe's leading jazz orchestras since its founding in 1951. With currently 17 permanent musicians in a standard big band lineup (trumpets, trombones, saxophones, rhythm section), it has developed a broad repertoire over the decades: from classic big band swing to bebop, cool jazz, and Latin, to modern crossover projects with pop, rock, and world music artists.
Best of Cosmo Klein
The 2026 program in Koblenz is titled "Best of Cosmo Klein". Cosmo Klein is a German soul and pop singer from Mainz who has developed his own program with the SWR Big Band – a mix of classic soul standards, his own songs, and big band arrangements of pop hits. The combination of Klein's warm voice and the powerful sound of the SWR Big Band has established itself as a particularly audience-pleasing format.
Festung Ehrenbreitstein as a Jazz Stage
Festung Ehrenbreitstein, 118 meters above the Rhine, is not only a venue for rock and pop concerts during the Fortress Summer but also a renowned location for classical music and jazz. The acoustics in the courtyard and the spectacular atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage site make concerts here unique experiences. Access via the Koblenz cable car from the Rhine bank.
Festival in the UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Mittelrhein Musik Festival 2026 features several historic locations in the World Heritage Valley. The SWR Big Band concert on August 23, 2026, is one of the late season highlights, combining international top jazz with views over the Moselle and Rhine on a summer evening.
SWR Big Band Koblenz — edition 2026
On August 23, 2026, Festung Ehrenbreitstein will transform into a jazz stage with the SWR Big Band and singer Cosmo Klein. The "Best of Cosmo Klein" program is an established concert production by the SWR Big Band. The exact setlist and specific daily schedule will be communicated by the organizer in advance.
Programme SWR Big Band Koblenz 2026
Program August 23, 2026:
Concert Evening
- Admission as per organizer
- SWR Big Band and Cosmo Klein live
- "Best of Cosmo Klein" program with big band arrangements of soul and pop songs
- Cosmo Klein's own compositions
- Classic big band pieces from the SWR Big Band's repertoire
Setting
- Catering stands in the fortress courtyard
- Cable car shuttle from the Rhine bank with extended operating hours
Current admission times, tickets, and program details at mittelrheinmusik.de.
Highlights SWR Big Band Koblenz 2026
Prices SWR Big Band Koblenz 2026
Practical information — SWR Big Band Koblenz
Venue: Festung Ehrenbreitstein, 56077 Koblenz.
Getting there: Via the Koblenz cable car from the Rhine bank (extended concert operating hours). By car via Festungsstraße; parking available directly at the fortress (fee applies).
Admission: Current times available at mittelrheinmusik.de.
Tickets: Tickets are required; advance sales via mittelrheinmusik.de and Ticket Regional.
Note: Open-air concert; bring a blanket or light jacket depending on the weather.
Contact: Mittelrhein Musik Festival, mittelrheinmusik.de.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.