Bayreuth

Special exhibition: “Spot(t)-Light. Richard Wagner in contemporary caricature

Hardly any other artist has been caricatured as often as Richard Wagner. His striking appearance, his egocentric lifestyle, the pathetic nature of his work and his political statements provided ample material for satire. Wagner himself appreciated humor and read satirical newspapers. The exhibition shows this early flowering of caricature thanks to a private collection.

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Festival150 – 150 years of the Bayreuth Festival

To mark the 150th anniversary of the first festival in 1876, the city of Bayreuth is organising a city-wide festival in 2026. Accompanying the anniversary festival in 2026 on the Green Hill, 150 stages throughout the city and district will be used for performances. From January to December, the entire region will showcase its cultural diversity – with music, theatre and art spanning the spectrum from Wagner's work to the present day. From the last 150 years to the next 150 years – be there!

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Dinosaurs. Dragons. Drama.

What do dinosaurs have to do with dragons? More than you might think. From 27 February 2026, the Upper Franconia Museum of Prehistory will be hosting a special exhibition, created in cooperation with the Bayreuth Cultural Office as part of Festival150. Dragons are among the oldest images known to mankind. Long before dinosaurs were scientifically researched, enormous fossils were interpreted as the remains of mythical creatures. Bones became legends – and discoveries became dragons. In the 19th century, Count Georg zu Münster collected marine reptiles in Bayreuth and was one of the first to interpret them scientifically rather than as mythical creatures. The exhibition spans the arc from early ideas about dragons to dinosaurs as real ‘dragons of prehistoric times’ to their role in opera, art and modern fantasy. Original historical illustrations for Wagner's ‘Siegfried’, extraordinary fossils and exciting stories show why dragons still fascinate us today – touching our deepest fears as well as our desire to overcome them.

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Music Festival "Musica Bayreuth"

The music festival, which has been in existence for decades, spans the spectrum from soloist concerts to chamber music, choral and orchestral concerts, song recitals and oratorios to operas, film music and musical cabaret. The World Cultural Heritage site of the Margravial Opera House always plays a central role as the performance venue.

Program and tickets (only in German)

Maisel´s Beer Festival

Every year, the Maisel Brewery invites you to celebrate on the brewery premises.

Maisel's Weissbierfest is one of the largest as well as best-known festivals in the region and is now known far beyond the borders of Bayreuth. Traditionally, the four-day festival takes place on the weekend before Ascension Day on the grounds of the Maisel Brewery on Hindenburgstrasse in Bayreuth. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors from all over Germany and abroad are expected.

As usual, admission to the brewery festival is free.

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Residence Days Bayreuth

Until 1604, the Plassenburg in Kulmbach was the original seat of government of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. This is why the two towns are joining forces for the first time at this year's Residence Days: under the motto “From the Castle to the Bel Étage”, visitors can go on a search for clues through the magnificent walls here and there. Themed tours, hands-on stations, dance and music, theater, fencing demonstrations and a varied children's program bring the past to life.

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Whitsun market Bayreuth

The Bayreuth Whitsun Market is a traditional market where traders from the region and all over Germany offer their wares. Over the four days of the market, visitors can expect a wide range of products, from culinary delicacies, household items, embroidery and leather goods to baskets, toys and flowers.

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International Museum Day

The Richard Wagner Museum, the Jean Paul Museum and the Franz Liszt Museum invite you to discover the museum worlds around the composers Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt and the poet Jean Paul.

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Folk Festival Bayreuth

The traditional event is one of the largest folk festivals in Franconia. In addition to a large selection of rides, children's attractions and amusements, there are also plenty of culinary delicacies.

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Bayreuth Summertime

In 2026, the popular Bayreuth Summertime event series will enter the next round. Organizers and clubs will once again put together a varied programme at many locations in the city and region. Highlights include the reggae touring circus Jamaram, ex-Genesis frontman Ray Wilson, singer-songwriter Das Eich with a Reinhard Mey program and a best-of by Claudia Koreck & Band. In addition, the Italian band Ganes will enchant you with their harmonious soundscapes and the cult band Waldschrat will provide Franconian music highlights.

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Sparda Bank Classic Open Air

The city of Bayreuth and Sparda-Bank invite you to the Sparda-Bank Klassik Open Air in Bayreuth on the Stadtparkett (Maximilianstraße 34-62). Enjoy the music free of charge and in the open air.

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Bayreuth Civic Festival

The Bayreuth city center is filled with life, joy and fun this weekend. A variety of different booths from the areas of crafts, art and culinary enriches the three-day civic festival. On 10 stages, live musical acts will get the masses dancing. The festival is rounded off with the artists' market on Sunday, where national artists present their works in an "open-air gallery".

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Open Air Festival

Following the successful open-air events of recent years, the festival orchestra will once again play twice on the hill in front of the festival theatre in 2026: free of charge for everyone. Food will be available on site, but you are also welcome to bring your own picnic.

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Bayreuth Festival

The Richard Wagner Festival has made Bayreuth internationally famous. Since 1876, the festival has been held, with interruptions, in the Festspielhaus on the Grüner Hügel, which was created especially for this purpose. Thanks to the architectural design of the auditorium, the acoustics here are unparalleled anywhere in the world, and each year they captivate visitors from all over the world.

Schedule and further information

Wahnfried Concerts

This summer, the Richard Wagner Museum is once again presenting the Wahnfried Concerts in Richard Wagner's former home, which as always feature top-class performers. The programme includes song recitals and chamber music.

Dates 2026

• 04.08.2026 
• 11.08.2026
• 13.08.2026
• 25.08.2026

To the concerts

Bayreuth Wine Festival

During the festival season, when the whole world looks to Bayreuth, the town invites its guests on a journey through the Franconian winegrowing regions.
Enjoy a potpourri of around 40 different fine wines on Bayreuth's market square. Discover the wide variety of grape varieties and test the different quality levels that the Franconian winegrowers have in their portfolio.
Of course, in addition to the delicious Franconian wines, there will also be plenty of culinary delights. A wide variety of regional and international delicacies are on offer, which go perfectly with Franconian wine. Relax and unwind with a delicious glass of Franconian wine!

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Bayreuth Summertime - Seebühnenfestival

The Seebühnenfestival is coming to Wilhelminenaue again in 2026! Created during the pandemic, the summer concert series on the former state garden show grounds has now developed into one of the largest music festivals in the region. 

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Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival

The festival, which always takes place in September, offers events this year at the UNESO World Heritage Site Margravial Opera House, the Orangery of the Hermitage, the Castle Church, the Order Church of St. Georgen and Colmdorf Castle.

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Open Monument Day in Bayreuth

Bayreuth is also participating in the nationwide campaign day " Open Monument Day" with free activities, guided tours and walking tours.

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Long Night of Culture

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival, Bayreuth's museums will be opening their doors for longer on two evenings. 

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Bayreuth Winter Village

Right on time in mid-October, it's ‘winter village time’ in Bayreuth city centre. Every year, when the cold season begins, we transform the Ehrenhof courtyard in the heart of the city into the Bayreuth Winter Village.

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Jazz November

From 12 to 15 November, we will once again be offering a diverse programme featuring renowned international jazz greats and outstanding young talents that will appeal to both classic jazz lovers and audiences open to all genres: With influences from art pop, R&B, funk and new interpretations of chamber music, a broad musical spectrum will unfold in the Bechersaal, the Glashaus and the Zentrum.

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Bayreuth Christmas Market

At the Christkindlesmarkt and along festively decorated streets and squares in Bayreuth's city centre, visitors can stroll to their heart's content in the Christmas atmosphere and marvel at the festive illumination of the over seven-kilometre-long chain of lights.