Usedom Music Festival
Three weeks of classical, jazz, and world music on the sunny island of Usedom
About Usedom Music Festival
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A Classical Festival with Baltic Sea Flair
Since its founding in 1994 by restaurateur Werner Molik under the patronage of Kurt Masur, the Usedom Music Festival has been one of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's most distinguished classical events. For three weeks in September and October, sophisticated music resonates against the unique backdrop of the island of Usedom – between the Baltic Sea coast, imperial seaside villas, and medieval brick churches.
Changing Guest Countries as an Artistic Link
The heart of the festival's concept is the annual homage to a Baltic Sea rim country. In 2025, Poland was the focus; in 2026, Sweden will be the guest country: For three weeks, the program will explore the cultural diversity of the Scandinavian kingdom from south to north. The festival thus builds on Usedom's historical ties to Swedish Pomerania, which belonged to the Kingdom of Sweden from 1648 to 1815.
Important Venues between Peenemünde and Wolgast
The concerts are spread across defining locations on the island: the impressive machine hall of the Historical-Technical Museum Peenemünde, the water castle of Mellenthin, the village churches of Liepe, Krummin, and Mellenthin, the Kaiserbädersaal in Heringsdorf, and St. Petri Church in Wolgast, along with the concert venues in the Kaiserbäder of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, and Bansin, form the spatial network of the festival.
Top Performers and Artists in Residence
Over 700 artists perform annually at the Usedom Music Festival. In 2002, Mstislav Rostropovich conducted Britten's War Requiem in Peenemünde – a turning point that brought the festival international reputation. For the 2026 edition, Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst and the vocal quartet Lemon Squeezy are invited as Artists in Residence. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, and renowned soloists such as Christina Nilsson, Annett Renneberg, and David Geringas also shape the program.
More Than Classical: ABBA, Folk, and Readings
The program ranges from Baroque and Romantic periods to jazz and folk, as well as popular formats – such as the grand ABBA Gala in the Kaiserbädersaal Heringsdorf for Benny Andersson's 80th birthday. Lying concerts, literary matinees, and artist talks complement the classical symphony evenings, making the festival a cultural highlight of the pre-season on Usedom.
Anchored in the Vorpommern-Greifswald District
The organizer is the non-profit Förderverein Usedomer Musikfreunde e.V. (Friends of Usedom Music Association), based in the Baltic seaside resort of Heringsdorf. The festival is closely linked to the Vorpommern-Greifswald district, the island of Usedom, and its spa towns, and is considered a cultural flagship of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Usedom Music Festival — edition 2026
Three Festival Weeks with Thematic Focuses
The 2026 edition is divided into three weeks: Week 1 (Sept 19–25) opens with the concert in the Peenemünde machine hall – the Baltic Sea Philharmonic under Robert Treviño accompanies the twelve-year-old cellist Charlotte Melkonian, winner of the 2026 Usedom Music Prize. This is followed by the Stockholm Saxophone Quartet in the Baltic seaside resort of Ahlbeck, Sweden Baroque in the village church of Liepe, and Lemon Squeezy with Martin Tingvall in Zinnowitz.
Week 2: Swedish Pop Tributes and Star Guests
Week 2 (Sept 26–Oct 2) features the grand ABBA Gala in the Kaiserbädersaal Heringsdorf, actress and singer Annett Renneberg in Usedom-Stadt, and Swedish soprano Christina Nilsson in Heringsdorf. A second ABBA tribute will take place at the House of Culture in Świnoujście (Swinemünde) – a German-Polish commitment to the island.
Week 3: Symphonic Finale with Martin Fröst
Week 3 (Oct 3–10) culminates in the performance of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra with Martin Fröst in Peenemünde, a piano recital by David Geringas and Ian Fountain, and Martin Fröst's solo concert in St. Petri Church Wolgast as the finale.
Programme Usedom Music Festival 2026
Week 1 (September 19–25)
- Sept 19: Opening: Baltic Sea Philharmonic, Robert Treviño, Charlotte Melkonian — Peenemünde
- Sept 20: Sweden Baroque — Liepe Village Church
- Sept 21: Stockholm Saxophone Quartet — Ahlbeck Seaside Resort
- Sept 22: Star of the Sea — Mellenthin Water Castle
- Sept 23: Lemon Squeezy & Martin Tingvall — Zinnowitz
Week 2 (September 26 – October 2)
- Sept 25: ABBA Tribute — Świnoujście
- Sept 26: Grand ABBA Gala — Kaiserbädersaal Heringsdorf
- Sept 28: Annett Renneberg — Usedom-Stadt
- Sept 30: Christina Nilsson — Heringsdorf
Week 3 (October 3–10)
- Oct 3: NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra & Martin Fröst — Peenemünde
- Oct 6: David Geringas & Ian Fountain — Chamber Concert
- Oct 10: Closing Concert Martin Fröst solo — St. Petri Church Wolgast
Highlights Usedom Music Festival 2026
- Guest Country Sweden — Homage to the Swedish era of Pomerania 1648–1815
- Artists in Residence: Martin Fröst (Clarinet) and Lemon Squeezy (Vocal Quartet)
- Opening with twelve-year-old cellist Charlotte Melkonian, 2026 Usedom Music Prize winner
- Grand ABBA Gala in the Kaiserbädersaal Heringsdorf for Benny Andersson's 80th birthday
- NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra under Martin Fröst in the Peenemünde machine hall
- Finale in the historic St. Petri Church Wolgast
Prices Usedom Music Festival 2026
Individual tickets from EUR 10 (small formats, lying concerts); regular concerts are tiered depending on the venue and artist. Premium concerts (opening, NDR Elbphilharmonie, ABBA Gala) are in the higher price range. Advance booking via the festival website, adticket.de, and local tourist information offices. Discounts for pupils, students, and severely disabled persons.
Practical information — Usedom Music Festival
Getting There
Train: With the Usedomer Bäderbahn (UBB), you can reach all venues in the Kaiserbäder directly from Züssow (DB connection). Peenemünde, Wolgast, and Zinnowitz have their own train stations.
Car: Via the A20 (exit Anklam), then B109/B110, or via the Zecheriner Bridge and the Wolgast Bridge onto the island of Usedom.
Plane: Heringsdorf Airport (HDF) is 4 km from Ahlbeck; Berlin BER Airport is about 240 km south.
Tickets
Tickets are available in tiered pricing depending on the concert and venue, with individual tickets starting from EUR 10. Premium concerts, such as the opening or closing concert, are significantly higher. Advance booking via the festival website and established ticket portals.
Accommodation
The three Kaiserbäder resorts of Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck, and Bansin offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, and holiday apartments, ideal for longer festival stays. Early booking is recommended.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Usedom Music Festival
Mehrere Spielorte auf Usedom
Maxim-Gorki-Straße 13, 17424 Heringsdorf