Musikwoche Hitzacker 2026

40 Years of Musikwoche Hitzacker

Since its founding in 1986, Musikwoche Hitzacker has been one of Northern Germany's most distinctive and intense classical music festivals. Unlike the Sommerliche Musiktage Hitzacker (Hitzacker Summer Music Days), Musikwoche takes place in winter and sees itself as an artist residency: one orchestra, one soloist, one region — and a packed program of concerts, workshops, and encounters. 2026 will celebrate the 40th edition.

Secret Messages — The 2026 Motto

Under the motto “Secret Messages”, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and French violist Antoine Tamestit explore the hidden codes within music. The focus will be on works in which composers have encrypted personal, political, or spiritual messages.

Program Highlights

• Fri, Feb 20 — Prologue “Hitzacker Decoded”: with actor Devid Striesow
• Sat, Feb 21 — Opening Concert “Secret Messages”: Mahler Chamber Orchestra with Antoine Tamestit
• Sun, Feb 22 — Bach Concerts in St. Johannis Church
• Daily: Sing-along Choir: an open choir for all visitors
• Workshops: Strings, chamber music, program design
• Excursions into the Wendland region: connecting music and the region

Verdo Hitzacker and St. Johannis

The main venue is the modern cultural center VERDO Hitzacker, complemented by St. Johannis Church and other locations in the town. Hitzacker's intimate size makes the festival a place for encounters — artists and audiences meet outside of concerts too.

In-depth Artist Residency

The concept of an artist residency shapes Musikwoche: instead of a series of changing solo concerts, there are ten days of engagement with one ensemble, one theme, and one region. This is rare in the German festival landscape and makes Hitzacker a must-attend event for classical music enthusiasts in February.