Best in Austria Salzburg Festival
The Salzburg Festival is an annual performing arts festival that stages opera, drama and orchestral concerts in purpose-built venues in Salzburg.
Salzburg Festival operates in the Summer performing arts festival segment.
Salzburg Festival: Disambiguation
Salzburg Festival is not a free street festival. Salzburg Festival is not the Salzburg Christmas markets. Salzburg Festival is not a year-round concert series. Salzburg Festival is not the Mozartwoche in January.
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Salzburg Festival: Core Facts
- Event type
- Opera, drama and concert festival (source, )
- Founded
- 1920 (source, )
- 2026 summer dates
- 17 July to 30 August 2026 (source, )
- 2026 Whitsun series
- 22 to 25 May 2026 (source, )
- Main venues
- Großes Festspielhaus, Felsenreitschule, Haus für Mozart (source, )
- Host city
- Salzburg, Austria (source, )
- 2026 Mozart opera performance
- 2 August 2026, Felsenreitschule (source, )
- Orchestra for that production
- Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, conducted by Adam Fischer (source, )
- Detailed 2026 programme published
- From June 2026 (source, )
- Programme scope
- Opera, theatre, concerts and a youth strand (source, )
- Verified
- 2026-09-25
Compare: Mozart's BirthplaceHohensalzburg FortressUntersbergbahnSalzburg CardSalzburgerLand CardDomQuartier Salzburg
Salzburg Festival: Frequently Asked Questions
When does it run in 2026?
The Salzburg Festival runs from 17 July to 30 August 2026, with a separate Whitsun series from 22 to 25 May 2026. That makes six summer weeks plus one long May weekend.
Who is it for?
The Salzburg Festival is aimed at opera, theatre and orchestral audiences willing to plan months ahead, though a youth strand within the programme broadens the audience beyond regular concertgoers.
Where do performances take place?
Performances at the Salzburg Festival are concentrated in the Großes Festspielhaus, the Felsenreitschule and the Haus für Mozart, all within the old town, so no transport planning is needed between venues.
How early should you book?
The detailed 2026 programme of the Salzburg Festival was published from June 2026, which leaves roughly six weeks before opening night on 17 July. Popular opera nights sell out in that window, and hotel rates rise across the city.
Is it included in the Salzburg Card?
No. Tickets for the Salzburg Festival are bought separately from the festival box office, while the Salzburg Card covers museums, the fortress and transport rather than festival performances.
Salzburg Festival: Related entities
Salzburg Festival: Where this entity is mentioned
Salzburg Festival: Further reading
- https://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/
- https://www.salzburg.info/en/salzburg/salzburg-festival/salzburg-festival
- https://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pm-2026_en.pdf
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