Passau Art Night

25 Years of Art in the City of Three Rivers

The Passau Art Night celebrates its 25th edition in 2026 – a quarter-century of vibrant art education in the heart of one of Bavaria's most beautiful Baroque cities. What began in 2001 as an initiative by a group of Passau gallery owners has become one of Lower Bavaria's most traditional art events, attracting thousands of visitors annually to the historic old town between the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers.

60 Locations, Hundreds of Artists, One Night

Over 60 exhibition venues transform into stages for the visual arts on this evening: galleries showcase current works, artists open their studios, museums extend their opening hours, and hidden courtyards in the old town become temporary exhibition spaces. Churches, monastery courtyards, and unusual locations also participate. The spectrum ranges from painting and sculpture to photography, video, performance, light installations, and sound art.

Music and Performance

Alongside the visual arts, music plays a central role: classical ensembles in churches, jazz bands in courtyards, electronic sounds in public squares. The stage at the Ortspitze – Passau's most distinctive point where the three rivers converge – integrated into the program, is part of the Eulenspiegel Tent Festival and is often experienced as the visual and auditory highlight of the night.

Completely Closed Old Town

During the Art Night, the entire old town of Passau is closed to car traffic. Thousands of visitors stroll through the narrow streets in warm summer temperatures, drifting from one venue to the next, discovering hidden corners, and meeting artists in personal conversations. A unique atmosphere is created: festive, creative, and unpretentious at the same time.

Passau – City of Three Rivers

The city of Passau, located in the extreme southeast of Bavaria, lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers and is considered one of Germany's most beautiful Baroque cities. Italian architects shaped the cityscape in the 17th and 18th centuries, most notably St. Stephen's Cathedral with the largest cathedral organ in the world. The Art Night offers an opportunity to experience this extraordinary urban backdrop on a summer night full of art.

Free Admission – A Gift to the City

Admission to the Art Night is free. It is a gift from Passau's cultural scene to the city, its citizens, and its guests. Only food and drinks at stands and individual tickets for special concerts may incur costs. The event runs from 6 PM to 1 AM, making it a remarkable logistical achievement for the city's cultural management.