Sparks & Visions – International Jazz Festival Regensburg

A Young Festival with a Big Reputation

In 2023, Anastasia Wolkenstein dared to do something unusual in Regensburg: an international jazz festival in a classic three-tiered theatre. Three years later, Sparks & Visions is a fixture on the European jazz scene – and from January 23 to 25, 2026, the festival will enter its fourth edition. Eight acts from twelve countries will perform over three days at the Theater Regensburg on Bismarckplatz, a building over 200 years old, whose classical architecture creates an unusual and intimate stage for contemporary jazz.

One Woman, One Vision

Anastasia Wolkenstein has lived in Regensburg since 2002 and has worked as an agent for top-class contemporary jazz musicians for fifteen years. She is a multiple juror for the German Jazz Award and has built up Sparks & Visions as founder, managing director, and curator. The second edition was already nominated for the German Jazz Award in 2024 in the category "Festival of the Year" – a rare distinction for such a young festival.

Between Genres

The programme concept is clear: Sparks & Visions aims to show the breadth of contemporary jazz. Classically trained musicians meet soul singers, Israeli pianists meet French vocal acrobats, Norwegian-Scandinavian bands meet US harpists. Each edition brings together around eight acts – curated, not arbitrary, with a clear artistic signature.

The Theatre as a Festival Stage

The charm of the festival lies not least in its location. The Theater Regensburg with its three tiers is a classic 19th-century city theatre – unusual for jazz, but effective: no bar, no standing room, just full concentration on the music. The atmosphere is reminiscent of classical concerts, while the repertoire is highly modern.

Regensburg – the UNESCO World Heritage City

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered the best-preserved medieval major city in Germany. The historic old town with the Stone Bridge, the Cathedral, and over 1,000 listed buildings is just a few steps from the theatre. Those who come to Regensburg in January can combine jazz and world heritage in three days – a glass of wine in one of the old town wine bars after the concert, then back to the hotel through the medieval streets.