A world-class festival in one of Europe’s most beautiful historic spa towns, offering exceptional artists, unique venues, and unforgettable musical experiences.
The 40th anniversary of the Kissinger Sommer is celebrated with an exceptional programme that brings together artistic excellence and broad community involvement. Sir Simon Rattle conducts Orff’s Carmina Burana, performed by both professional musicians and dedicated amateur choristers.
The major orchestras that have shaped the festival over the years return in 2026: the BBC Symphony Orchestra, leading ensembles from Munich and Berlin, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Czech Philharmonic, and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. The latter two now enjoy close artistic ties despite their historically contrasting origins.
The anniversary edition unites artists from the festival’s earliest days, long-standing audience favourites, musicians for whom Kissinger Sommer was an important stepping stone, and rising talents at the beginning of promising careers.
Highlights include Elisabeth Leonskaja at the opening concert, Rudolf Buchbinder with the Camerata Salzburg presenting milestones of Mozart’s piano concerti, and Anne-Sophie Mutter with the Berliner Barock Solisten juxtaposing Mozart’s violin concertos with André Previn’s Second Violin Concerto.
Returning after ten years, Cecilia Bartoli presents three exclusive programmes, including a semistaged performance of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice. Igor Levit, prizewinner at the 2004 KlavierOlymp and 2014 Artist in Residence, explores the connection between vocal inspiration and pianistic virtuosity.
With names such as Piotr Anderszewski, Avi Avital, Lisa Batiashvili, Daniel Behle, Isabelle Faust, Julia Fischer, Grigory Sokolov, Christian Tetzlaff, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, the lineup reads like a multigenerational who’s who of the classical music world.
The venues of the Kissinger Sommer are truly unique worldwide. The historic concert halls are beloved by artists for their exceptional acoustics and distinctive atmosphere. Foremost among them is the world-famous Max-Littmann-Saal, known for its unmistakable cherry-wood design. The smaller Rossini-Saal offers a more intimate, family-like setting.
Additional venues include the open-air stage at Schloss Aschach, the courtyard of the newly renovated Luitpoldbad, and the newly restored Turniergebäude in der Au. The historic Kurtheater Bad Kissingen, also designed by Max Littmann and featuring treasures such as its remarkable ceiling painting, adds another jewel to the festival’s architecture.
Guests can enjoy both open-air events and traditional concert formats across these outstanding venues. All locations are within the town area and can be reached comfortably on foot or with short local transfers.
The festival takes place in the beautiful spa town of Bad Kissingen. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage, the town enchants visitors with its wonderful historic buildings such as the Regentenbau, the Wandelhalle, and its elegant parks. It offers a serene and picturesque atmosphere.
Thanks to its central location in the heart of Germany, Bad Kissingen is easy to reach by car, train, or plane.
By car: Bad Kissingen can be reached via the motorways A7 (Würzburg–Kassel), A71 (Erfurt– Schweinfurt) or A70 (Bayreuth–Schweinfurt). From each motorway exit it takes only about 10 minutes to reach the town.
By train: From the ICE stations Würzburg and Fulda, you can take regional trains via Schweinfurt or Gemünden to Bad Kissingen.
By plane: From the international airports Frankfurt/Main or Nuremberg, Bad Kissingen is approx. 90 minutes by car. The town also has its own small airfield, Flugplatz Bad Kissingen „in der Au“ (PPR), located within a ten-minute walk of the town centre.
Further travel information can be found on the Kissinger Sommer website.
There is a wide range of hotels, apartments, and holiday rentals available in and around Bad Kissingen. Visitors will find several recommendations on our website. As accommodation tends to book up quickly—especially during the summer months and the festival period—guests are advised to reserve well in advance.
Located in the heart of Germany, Bad Kissingen offers a rich variety of cultural and natural attractions. In the surrounding region, visitors can explore historic buildings, castles, and fortresses, or enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Rhön, which features popular excursion destinations such as Kloster Kreuzberg, the Wasserkuppe, and many more. Guests can also enrich their stay with day trips to the nearby cities of Würzburg, Bamberg, and Fulda, all known for their remarkable history and architecture. Within Bad Kissingen itself, highlights include the Regentenbau, the Wandelhalle, the Bad Kissingen Casino, the Rosengarten, and the Museum Obere Saline. The city’s unique history and the many distinguished personalities who have visited over the centuries make it a place full of fascinating discoveries.
There is no specific dress code for the festival. We kindly ask visitors to leave large backpacks (larger than A4 size), jackets, and umbrellas at the cloakroom.
The spa town of Bad Kissingen offers a wide variety of restaurants, providing excellent culinary options. A selection of recommendations is available on our website. During the Kissinger Sommer, restaurants can become very busy, so advance reservations are advisable. Opening hours vary by establishment; during the festival visitors can typically enjoy hot meals until 21:00. During concert intervals, we offer drinks and small snacks for a quick refreshment.
