Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival — Concerts Schleswig
Classical music in St. Petri Cathedral — two festival concerts 2026
About SHMF Schleswig
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41st Festival Summer in Schleswig-Holstein
The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (SHMF) was founded in 1986 by Leonard Bernstein and Justus Frantz and has since been one of Europe's defining classical music festivals. With a budget of around 14 million euros, 205 concerts at 120 venues in 73 locations, a 100-member young festival orchestra, and soloists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Hilary Hahn, Daniil Trifonov, Grigory Sokolov, or Nina Stemme, the SHMF 2026 is a top-class festival.
Schleswig as a Historic Venue
Within the state of Schleswig-Holstein, and particularly in the district of Schleswig-Flensburg, Schleswig is one of the festival's oldest venues. St. Petri Cathedral, with its 112-meter-high Neo-Gothic west tower — a landmark of the city and one of Northern Germany's most important churches — offers acoustics that create a unique soundscape between sacred space and concert hall.
Two Festival Concerts 2026
For the 2026 edition, two concerts are confirmed for Schleswig Cathedral:
- The King's Singers — on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM. The legendary British vocal ensemble with its characteristic repertoire spanning Renaissance, Pop, Jazz, and Folk.
- Dancing Queen! The Great ABBA Concert — on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM. A festival-typical program that combines a classical orchestral arrangement with the global hits of the Swedish pop legends.
More SHMF in Schleswig
In addition to the Cathedral, Gottorf Castle and the A. P. Møller School are also used as venues in Schleswig — the exact program for these locations will be published in the SHMF program book and on shmf.de.
SHMF Schleswig — edition 2026
The 2026 SHMF marks the 41st festival summer. With a budget of around 14 million euros and performances by Yo-Yo Ma, Hilary Hahn, Daniil Trifonov, Grigory Sokolov, Nina Stemme, the Swedish pop duo Roxette (July 18th, MERKUR Ostseehalle Kiel), Michael Wollny, and Martin Fröst, the festival in 2026 is exceptionally strong in both breadth and quality.
Guest orchestras include the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. The 100-member Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, composed of young international musicians, will be conducted by artists such as Andrew Manze and Katharina Wincor.
In Schleswig Cathedral, The King's Singers (July 20th, 7:30 PM) and the ABBA concert program "Dancing Queen!" (August 13th, 7:30 PM) are scheduled. The 2026 Hindemith Prize goes to Birke Bertelsmeier, and the Leonard Bernstein Award to the French trumpeter Lucienne Renaudin Vary.
Programme SHMF Schleswig 2026
Monday, July 20, 2026 — St. Petri Cathedral Schleswig
- 7:30 PM — The King's Singers. Renowned British a cappella ensemble with a characteristic program spanning Renaissance, Pop, Jazz, and Folk.
Thursday, August 13, 2026 — St. Petri Cathedral Schleswig
- 7:30 PM — Dancing Queen! The Great ABBA Concert. Orchestral arrangements of ABBA's global hits.
Other SHMF Concerts 2026 (Selection)
- July 18 — Roxette live at MERKUR Ostseehalle Kiel
- Soloists 2026: Yo-Yo Ma, Hilary Hahn, Daniil Trifonov, Grigory Sokolov, Nina Stemme, Michael Wollny, Martin Fröst
- Five "Music Festivals in the Countryside"
- Masterclasses with The King's Singers and cellist Frans Helmerson
- Educational project "Singstars!" for primary schools
- Opening of new venues in Geesthacht and Glücksburg Castle Park, among others
The full program at all 120 venues can be viewed on shmf.de.
Highlights SHMF Schleswig 2026
Prices SHMF Schleswig 2026
Practical information — SHMF Schleswig
Getting There
Train: RE 7 to Schleswig, approx. 15 minutes walk to the Cathedral. Car: A7 exit Schleswig-Schuby or Schleswig-Jagel, then B201. Parking available around the Cathedral and at the Wikingturm.
Tickets
Advance booking via shmf.de or by phone at 0431 237070. SHMF tickets are popular — early booking is recommended, especially for the ABBA program and The King's Singers.
Accessibility Note
Schleswig Cathedral has disabled parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible entrance, and accessible restrooms. Inquiries to [email protected].
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a SHMF Schleswig al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place SHMF Schleswig
St.-Petri-Dom Schleswig
Süderdomstraße, 24837 Schleswig