24th International Music Festival Goslar-Harz / Till Brönner Open Air
Classical, Jazz, and Chamber Music in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
About International Music Festival Goslar-Harz
A Festival with its Own Profile
Since 2003, the International Music Festival Goslar-Harz has invited visitors to a three-week concert journey every August. The programming combines established works from the classical canon with discoveries, crossover formats, and a distinctly strong jazz segment that sets the festival apart from the standard classical summer festival format. The artistic direction and a well-coordinated festival team curate the programs so that each evening can be enjoyed individually while also fitting into the overall arc of the season.
Venues in the World Heritage Site
Goslar offers an exceptional density of historic concert locations. The Imperial Palace, the Market Church of St. Cosmas and Damian, Wöltingerode Monastery, the Collegiate Church of St. Servatius in Quedlinburg, and the Monastery Church of St. Ulrich are among the regularly used venues. The acoustic and atmospheric peculiarities of these spaces shape the character of the performances and make each concert a unique sensory experience.
Opening on August 7th
The 2026 season kicks off with the opening concert on August 7th. Renowned symphony orchestras and chamber orchestras traditionally open the festival with a representative program that sets the thematic guidelines for the year. Subsequently, chamber music, solo recitals, and jazz programs take center stage.
Finale with Till Brönner
The grand finale on August 23rd features Till Brönner with his band on the forecourt of the Imperial Palace. The German trumpeter and singer is among Germany's most internationally performed jazz artists and has delivered regular festival highlights for years. The open-air concert begins in the late afternoon, harnessing the magic of the twilight over the Romanesque palace.
UNESCO Context
Goslar, along with its Old Town, Imperial Palace, Rammelsberg Mine, and the Upper Harz Water Management System, is part of one of Germany's most concentrated UNESCO World Heritage regions. The festival leverages this heritage to bring concerts and the cultural landscape together, cooperating with local World Heritage institutions and tourism partners.
International Music Festival Goslar-Harz — edition 2026
Three-Week Concert Season
The 2026 edition opens on August 7th and closes on August 23rd. Symphony concerts, chamber music programs, solo recitals, and jazz evenings are spread across the three weeks. The program structure alternates between large venues like the Market Church and intimate settings in monasteries and chapels.
Highlight on the Final Weekend
The final weekend is traditionally particularly packed. As part of the Kaiserpfalz Open Airs, popular acts perform against the backdrop of the World Heritage site, complementing the festival's spectrum with pop, rock, and folk. The Till Brönner Open Air on August 23rd marks the musical conclusion of the season.
Artistic Profile
Characteristic of the festival is the mix of internationally established soloists, outstanding chamber ensembles, and crossover formats between classical and jazz. This profile has earned the music festival supra-regional attention in recent years and makes it a central event in the Lower Saxony summer calendar.
Programme International Music Festival Goslar-Harz 2026
Program Structure 2026
The complete program will be published by the organizer in spring 2026. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
Opening — August 7th
- Opening concert with symphony or chamber orchestra
- Ceremonial act with welcome address from the festival management
Between August 8th and 22nd
- Chamber concerts in monasteries and churches
- Solo recitals for piano, string instruments, and voice
- Jazz and crossover programs
- Concert series in Wöltingerode Monastery and the Market Church of St. Cosmas and Damian
- Kaiserpfalz Open Airs: August 21st Forced to Mode (Depeche Mode homage), August 22nd Santiano
Closing Concert — August 23rd
- 5:00 PM: Till Brönner & Band Open Air on the forecourt of the Imperial Palace
- Jazz program with trumpet, vocals, and band
- Festive conclusion of the 24th season
Detailed times, venues, and artists will be published via musikfest-goslar.de.
Highlights International Music Festival Goslar-Harz 2026
- Three weeks of classical and jazz in a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Opening concert on August 7th
- Till Brönner Open Air in front of the Imperial Palace on August 23rd at 5 PM
- Venues in Goslar, Wöltingerode Monastery, and surrounding areas
- Kaiserpfalz Open Airs with Forced to Mode and Santiano on the final weekend
- International soloists and chamber ensembles
Prices International Music Festival Goslar-Harz 2026
Practical information — International Music Festival Goslar-Harz
Tickets
- Advance sales via musikfest-goslar.de and local ticket outlets.
- Individual tickets based on venue and concert, festival passes for chamber concert series.
- Discounts for pupils, students, and holders of the Kulturkarte.
Venues
- Imperial Palace Goslar
- Market Church St. Cosmas and Damian
- Wöltingerode Monastery
- Monastery Church St. Ulrich
- Other historic spaces in Goslar and the Harz region
Getting There
- Train: Goslar station as the central hub for the region.
- Car: Via B 6 and B 82, parking garages in the city center.
Notes
- Concerts usually start in the early evening; some open-air events in the late afternoon.
- Weather-appropriate clothing recommended for open-air evenings.
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