Stars im Luitpoldhain – The Night of Jazz & Friends

Jazz Open-Air Tradition in Nuremberg

The festival Stars im Luitpoldhain is organized by the Kultur Project Office of the City of Nuremberg's Culture Department and, with regularly over 40,000 visitors, is one of the largest jazz open-airs in Europe. For years, the musical director has been the Franconian drummer Wolfgang Haffner, one of the most successful European jazz drummers, who curates the stage at each edition with invited stars from jazz, soul, and pop.

"Night of Jazz & Friends" Format

The concept has remained consistent for years: a single evening, a single large stage in the Luitpoldhain, an openly accessible area – no advance ticket sales, no numbered seating, just blankets, chairs, or picnics on the lawns under the open sky. Previous editions have featured artists such as Bill Evans, Clueso, De-Phazz, Max Mutzke, Nightmares On Wax, Randy Brecker, Ida Sand, and Ivan Lins on the Luitpoldhain stage. The festival is broadcast and transmitted in cooperation with BR-KLASSIK.

Special Edition 2026 – 50 Years of Wolfgang Haffner

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, starting at 8 PM, the festival will celebrate Wolfgang Haffner's 50th stage anniversary. Haffner will perform with the German All Star Bigband, conducted by Jörg Achim Keller, along with guests including Swedish jazz singer Viktoria Tolstoy and Berlin-based guitarist Torsten Goods. Admission remains free; donations of €5 or more are requested to keep the event accessible to all.

Luitpoldhain – The City's Green Stage

The Luitpoldhain is located on the southeastern edge of Nuremberg's city center, in the area of the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Today, this park-like area between the Meistersingerhalle and the Documentation Center is one of the city's most important open-air venues – the annual classical open-air concert and Stars im Luitpoldhain take place here. The Luitpoldhain can be reached from Nuremberg Central Station in just a few minutes by subway (U1 / U2 / Tram, stop "Meistersingerhalle").