Bamberg

Special exhibition: "Courtly encounters."

Until June 21, 2026, the Neue Residenz Bamberg is hosting the special exhibition "Courtly Encounters. The Ludwig Collection as a guest in the New Bamberg Residence. Precious ceramics are on display in the historic Imperial Apartment. The exhibition is part of a guided tour of the prince-bishop's apartment and is included in the admission price.

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Bamberg Literature Festival 2026

Since 2016, the Bamberg Literature Festival has been delighting readers with a wide range of readings and renowned authors. The festival has continued to develop and has seen many highlights. Browse through the literary highlights and unforgettable moments of previous years – and look forward to all those yet to come!

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Walls of power. The Old Court of Bamberg

As a setting for Bamberg's city history, the Old Court has stood on the Cathedral Hill for over a thousand years. Emperors, bishops and nobles once stayed here, surrounded by servants, craftsmen and other residents. From March 2026, the exhibition ‘Walls of Power. The Old Court in Bamberg’ at the Historical Museum will be dedicated to the eventful history and architectural development of this extraordinary place.

MUSEUMS OF THE CITY OF BAMBERG
Historical Museum Bamberg, Old Court, Domplatz 7, 96049 Bamberg

Opening hours: Tue-Sun and public holidays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Picture walk – paintings tell stories

‘The street leads strollers into a bygone era.’ In the words of Walter Benjamin, the museums of the city of Bamberg cordially invite you to take a stroll through the picture gallery of the Historical Museum. The exhibition displays works from the municipal collections. They tell stories, conceal them or encourage visitors to reflect on their own stories and invent new ones. Because walking creates new perspectives.

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Bamberg Passionskrippen

Lenten or Passion Nativity scenes depict the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The "Serious Nativity", as it is also often called, covers the church season from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday. In a narrower sense, the scenes are depicted from the Entry into Jerusalem, through the stages of the Passion, to the Resurrection and the Walk to Emmaus.

More information and exhibition locations (only in German)

Bamberg in Bloom – Open Day at the Nurseries

When spring bathes Bamberg’s nurseries in fresh greenery and vibrant colours, it’s time for one of southern Germany’s most popular gardening events: Bamberg’s Open Nursery Day. This special event offers a rare opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes of Bamberg’s centuries-old gardening tradition. As they stroll through the historic nurseries, visitors can experience a colourful sea of spring blossoms and find inspiration for contemporary, sustainable gardening. Whether for a balcony, terrace or garden: gardening enthusiasts will find an extraordinary variety of vegetables, fruit, herbs and ornamental plants. Bamberg’s gardeners place particular emphasis on traditional horticultural quality and regional variety. A varied programme of events for the whole family makes the day a real experience.

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E.T.A. Hoffmann Dance Hall

250 years of ‘exalted spirits’! In the anniversary year of the multi-talented artist, the ‘E.T.A. Hoffmann Dance Hall’ in the Historical Museum is exhibiting unique works of art from Hoffmann's fantastical world.

Under the motto ‘Boundaries of Reality’, pop art from the 1960s meets works by BerganzapreisträgerInnen from the Bamberg Art Association and the famous ‘Apfelweibla’. A Hoffmannesque series of events with readings, live music, lectures, workshops and film screenings also celebrates the artist's complexity between fantasy and reality. You can find the latest information about the growing range of events on our homepage and social media.

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19. Days of early music

The ‘19th Days of Early Music’ is a renowned series of events organised by Musica Canterey Bamberg e.V., which is dedicated to the preservation of historical music.

Dates for 2026:

• 13 June 2026: ‘Zur Recreation des Gemüths’ (chamber and table music)
• 25 July 2026 ‘Missa Michaelis’
• 26 July 2026: ‘Baroque Splendour’ (trumpet & organ in St. Michael's)
• 3 October 2026: ‘St. Michael's Name Day’

Location: Various historical locations in Bamberg, often the Baroque dining hall in St. Michael's Monastery
Content: Historical performance practice, works by prince-bishop musicians, Baroque and early Classical music

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Rose garden serenades

Every summer, the Rosengarten Serenades take centre stage in Bamberg's cultural calendar, enriching the city's musical life with the diversity and quality of their concerts. Thanks to the efforts of the Rosengarten Serenades Association, it has always been possible to engage top-class ensembles and soloists from Bamberg and beyond. It was important for the association to promote regular performances by local artists – especially members of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra – in order to complement the overall cultural image of Bamberg as a tourist destination.

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Magic in Bamberg

When Hogwarts is on summer holiday, locals, tourists and artists from all over the world come together to celebrate a truly magical weekend: Bamberg Zaubert! Over 250,000 visitors, more than 1,000 applications from all over the world, 20 performance venues across the city, national and international artists, and countless magical moments transform Bamberg’s Old Town into a stronghold of magic every July. Magicians and jugglers, clowns and acrobats, stilt walkers and mimes, fire dancers and comedians, street performers and musicians entertain you from midday until midnight, creating a world full of fascinating surprises.

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International Blues and Jazz Festival

When the New Orleans feeling awakens, some of the best blues and jazz musicians from all over the world will once again be guests at the Bamberg World Heritage Site on the Maxplatz, on the Böhmerwiese and in the participating district communities in August 2026

The Sparda-Bank Blues & Jazz Festival Bamberg is the largest admission-free open-air blues and jazz festival in Europe. In addition to international stars, regional bands also have the opportunity to present themselves to a wide audience at the music festival.

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Onion Stepping Festival

From 10 to 13 September 2026, the Böhmerwiese will once again be transformed into Bamberg's most relaxed festival oasis: the Zwiebeltreterfest invites you to enjoy four days of dancing and dreaming under the open sky. A long weekend full of music, late summer romance and good vibes awaits visitors – from handmade rock to nostalgic Beatles sounds. As always, there will be the special Böhmerwiese flair: a cosy atmosphere, culinary delicacies, cool drinks and lots of good cheer. Only the Zwiebeltreterfest offers this!

Admission is free.

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Open Monument Day 2026 - Opening

Bamberg opens Open Monument Day 2026
On 13 September 2026, Open Monument Day will celebrate its central kick-off in Bamberg – and thus in Bavaria for the first time in ten years. Bamberg's old town, which was built on a medieval foundation and looks back on over 1,000 years of history, has been largely preserved in its original form. In 1993, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Bamberg Christmas Market

At Christmas time, Maximiliansplatz in Bamberg's pedestrian zone is transformed into a pre-Christmas festive square. In the middle of the old town with its illuminated and decorated stores and streets, there is the smell of roast sausage and roasted almonds, mulled wine and gingerbread. Toys, glass baubles and fine handicrafts can also be found as practical things for the Christmas season.

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