Musica Sacra International
International festival of encounter of world religions — every two years at Pentecost in Marktoberdorf and the Allgäu
About Musica Sacra International
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A Festival of Intercultural Dialogue
Since 1992, Musica Sacra International has been more than just a festival of sacred music. Every two years, musicians from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, as well as other cultural circles, come together here for a unique musical dialogue. The festival was founded in 1992 by Dolf Rabus, who wanted to promote interreligious exchange through music with this platform. Today, the festival is supported by the association MODfestivals e.V. and is part of Bavarian festival culture.
Marktoberdorf and the Allgäu as the Stage
The main venue is the Bavarian Music Academy Marktoberdorf in the Ostallgäu district, which has served as a meeting place for choral and ensemble music for decades. Concerts also take place in churches and monasteries in Kempten (St. Mang), Altenstadt (St. Michael), Augsburg, Munich, Oberammergau, Memmingen, Irsee, Füssen, Bad Hindelang, Isny, Fellheim, and Kaufbeuren. The Romanesque Basilica of St. Michael in Altenstadt and the churchyard of St. Mang in Kempten are among the most impressive concert venues in Southern Germany.
Invited Ensembles and Workshops
For each edition, about eight ensembles from up to nine countries are guests – each representing its own tradition. In addition to the evening concerts, there are three parallel workshops every morning where festival visitors can get to know the music of a religion hands-on. There are also lectures, discussion rounds, a joint ecumenical service, and a concluding encounter concert.
Awards and Cultural Significance
Musica Sacra International is recognized by UNESCO as a contribution to intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The festival pass grants access to all evening, opening, and closing concerts. Those who want to experience the spiritual music of Bavaria in its entirety in one week will find it here.
Musica Sacra International — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Musica Sacra International will take place from May 22 to 26, 2026, during Pentecost. The motto is "Resonances of the Holy". Eight invited ensembles from nine countries represent different religions and cultural circles and will perform in Marktoberdorf, Augsburg, Munich, and at other venues in the Allgäu.
Among the invited guests are the Nagash Ensemble, Le Chant sur la Lowé, the Efsun Ensemble, the BYU Singers from Brigham Young University, and the Cologne Gagaku Ensemble. The main venue is the Bavarian Music Academy Marktoberdorf, which will also host workshops, yoga and meditation sessions, and discussion rounds.
Programme Musica Sacra International 2026
Program Overview 2026
- Friday, May 22, 2026 — Opening day, opening concert at the Bavarian Music Academy Marktoberdorf
- Saturday, May 23, 2026 — Daytime workshops and encounter formats, evening concerts in Kempten (St. Mang) and Altenstadt (St. Michael Basilica), among others
- Sunday, May 24, 2026 (Pentecost Sunday) — Concerts and services with ensembles from world religions in the Allgäu and in Augsburg/Munich
- Monday, May 25, 2026 (Pentecost Monday) — Ecumenical services, further concerts
- Tuesday, May 26, 2026 — Closing concerts in Kaufbeuren
- Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — Youth Makam Workshop as an echo
Invited Ensembles 2026
- Nagash Ensemble (Armenian sacred vocal music)
- Le Chant sur la Lowé (Francophone sacred tradition)
- Efsun Ensemble (Turkish Sufi music)
- BYU Singers from Brigham Young University (USA)
- Cologne Gagaku Ensemble (Japanese court music)
- Further ensembles will be announced on the festival website.
Highlights Musica Sacra International 2026
- Motto "Resonances of the Holy"
- 8 ensembles from 9 countries and different religions
- Concerts in Marktoberdorf, Kempten (St. Mang), Altenstadt (St. Michael), Augsburg, Munich, Irsee Monastery, Memmingen, Füssen, Bad Hindelang, Isny, Kaufbeuren
- Daily workshops, yoga/meditation sessions, discussion rounds
- Festival pass for all evening, opening, and closing concerts
Prices Musica Sacra International 2026
Individual tickets and the Festival Pass are available through the festival website and the Eventim platform. The Festival Pass grants access to all evening, opening, and closing concerts from May 22 to 26, 2026.
Practical information — Musica Sacra International
Getting There
Marktoberdorf is located about 30 km north of Füssen and is accessible by car via the A 7 (exit Kempten) or by train (Marktoberdorf station on the Augsburg–Buchloe–Füssen line). Shuttle buses operate between the concert venues in the Allgäu.
Tickets
Individual tickets and festival passes are available through the festival's Eventim page. The festival pass grants access to all evening, opening, and closing concerts.
Accommodation
Hotels, guesthouses, and holiday apartments are available in Marktoberdorf as well as in Kempten, Füssen, Kaufbeuren, and the Königswinkel region.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Musica Sacra International
Bayerische Musikakademie Marktoberdorf
Kurfürstenstraße 19, 87616 Marktoberdorf