World stars, inspiring conversations, and a shared belief in the future.
This year's edition of the Baltic Sea Festival takes its starting point in the theme of "waves" – a symbol for everything from sound and light to the movements of history and emotions. In line with the theme, the festival invites you to magnificent concerts and exciting conversations with a focus on nature, creativity, collaboration, and music.
The highlights are many: The festival will open on the Baltic Sea Day on August 28 with Grammy-winning conductor Alan Gilbert, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, and shooting star Maria Dueñas in Bruch's Violin Concerto. The world premiere of Mikael Karlsson's and Anna von Hausswolff's Grand Guignol, with both the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Choir, promises an evening of darkness and ecstasy, and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra makes its first appearance in Sweden under the direction of Manfred Honeck.
World-renowned pianist Piotr Anderszewski will perform a recital with music by Bartók and Brahms, and violinist Janine Jansen will begin her season as Artist in Residence with Franz Schubert's enchanting Octet in F major. Jazz will make its debut at the Baltic Sea Festival when Sofia Jernberg and Per Texas Johansson take the stage at Fasching, and for the youngest Berwaldhallen visitors, a full day of musical activities, instrument exploration, and an exciting performance at sea awaits.
Salonen conducts the final
The festival's co-founder Esa-Pekka Salonen, also Artist in Residence in 2025/2026, promises a magnificent finale with Strauss's farewell songs Vier letzte Lieder and Bruckner's romantic fourth symphony, together with the acclaimed soprano Asmik Grigorian and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Welcome to the Baltic Sea Festival 2025 - a musical wave that carries us towards new horizons!
The closest airports to Stockholm are Arlanda Airport and Bromma Airport. Shuttle buses or express trains operate to central Stockholm.
You can also arrive to Stockholm via train to Stockholm Central. Bus 69 runs from Klarabergsviadukten (at Stockholm Central) and it will take you directly to Berwadhallen where the Baltic Sea Festival takes place. The bus ride takes approximately 15-20 mins.
The festival’s main venue is Berwaldhallen, the concert hall of the Swedish Radio. This summer one of the concerts will take place at the Nordic Museum in Stockholm.
There is a wide variety of hotels in and around Stockholm.
There are bars and cafés in Berwaldhallen which serve light food, snacks, pastries, drinks and much more.
There is no specific dress code.
