
Anja Common, st. katharina open air
„The historic walls of the Katharinenruine give every concert a unique flair - combined with the special acoustics, great musicians and the open-air feeling, every evening is an unforgettable experience.“
Music often binds emotions and memories to experiences. Special moments which remain in our minds are often created by music festivals. The journey to another city, the atmosphere, the interplay of music with the location and the feeling of community generated at a festival is one-of-a-kind. The rhythm of a festival stays in the heart of festival-goers forever. This listening, feeling and echo of music is the focus of a new campaign from the Nuremberg Convention and Tourist Office.
Nuremberg is known for its history, its culinary specialties and the Christkindlesmarkt. In addition, the city can look back at an impressive musical past. From the musical-cultural heyday of the Nuremberg Meistersingers and Hans Sachs in the late Middle Ages and Early Modern Period, to great Baroque composers like Johann Pachelbel and the development in the 17th and 18th centuries to a center for organ and instrument production, one can still feel in Nuremberg a living musical landscape which blends tradition with the modern. Whether classical masterpieces from its two large orchestras – the Nuremberg Symphony or the Nuremberg State Philharmonic – w hether world music from international stars or jazz from talented newcomers: Nuremberg wrote musical history in the past and is still a pulsing music metropolis today.
This one-of-a-kind mix is reflected in the music festivals of the campaign “Sounds like Nuremberg!” – Six festivals from widely varying genres offer unforgettable music experiences, which linger on and on. The st. katharina open air, Musicfest ION, Classic Open Air, the Bardentreffen, Nuremberg Pop and NUEJAZZ were chosen as beacons for the campaign, because they meld their public with special locations in the city in a way in which Germany-wide one can only experience in Nuremberg. Festivals with surprising highlights? Sounds like Nuremberg!
Six interviews full of exciting insights behind the scenes - with stories about the making of the festival, personal impressions from everyday festival life and extraordinary moments that make the people and their festivals unique.
„The historic walls of the Katharinenruine give every concert a unique flair - combined with the special acoustics, great musicians and the open-air feeling, every evening is an unforgettable experience.“
„The Musicfest ION offers a bold and diverse programme, realised with charismatic stars from classical music, pop and jazz. Nuremberg's churches are extraordinary sound spaces - this is where the pinnacle of church music meets iconic songs and sensational world premieres. Our concerts set the soul vibrating.“
„The Klassik Open Air is a concert experience for everyone - in the open air, with a picnic blanket and no dress code. A place where thousands of people can experience and celebrate music together.“
„Whether international acts on the stages or individual street music - for three days, the Bardentreffen turns Nuremberg into a meeting place for world music, open-mindedness and melodious stories from all over the world.“
„Nürnberg Pop is more than just a festival - it is a statement for musical diversity and also a driving force for the local scene. This is where well-known acts meet new talent, concert experiences meet cultural debate."“
„With free concerts, contributions from students at the University of Music and the Faculty of Design and a growing children's programme, the NUEJAZZ festival creates a variety of access points. The weekly ‘Groove Gathering’ session at AEG - organised by Nürnberger Jazzmusiker e.V. - is just as much a part of this as the stage for young jazz talents from Nuremberg. NUEJAZZ thus sends a strong signal for cultural participation in the City of Human Rights.“
18 June – 2 August 2025
Every summer the Nuremberg Symphony moves their concert stage outdoors and presents a one-of-a-kind concert series as part of the music summer in the Congress Hall. Surrounded by green vegetation and bird song, the interplay of music and the beauty of a summer night in the historical Serenadenhof, with its excellent acoustics, creates a special concert experience.
27 June – 12 July 2025
In the Stadium Park Nuremberg, hundreds of music fans celebrate the Open Sommer festival. Directly next to the stadium, it’s a unique combination of live concerts and a festival atmosphere in nature. National and international well-known artists from various music styles create a great summer vibe and unforgettable experiences.
11 & 12 July 2025
The Bonsai Festival draws visitors with music and food to the Wöhrder Lake for the last five years. The free-of-charge outdoor festival directly on the water offers bands, DJs and singer-songwriters from the genres hip-hop and rock and pop a stage for their work. As a volunteer-organized cooperative project of the Musiczentrale Nuremberg e.V. and the LUISE cultural center, it stands for diversity, openness and togetherness with its do-it-yourself charm.
15 & 16 August 2025
Every year, the Brückenfestival takes place under the Theodor Heuss bridge on the water meadows of Nuremberg’s Pegnitz River. Over two days this outdoor and free-of-charge music festival presents regional and international bands far from the mainstream. In 2025, this open air festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary and offers a colorful mix of various music styles.
16 August 2025
The Container Love Festival at the Nuremberg harbor is a one-of-a-kind cultural and musical experience, set in the middle of the industrial backdrop of the harbor. Between harbor cranes and containers, this urban electronic music festival draws many visitors from Nuremberg and the region. On three floors, a national and international line-up presents techno, hard techno and groove.
23 August 2025
The Tanzen im Grünen (Dance in Green) Open Air draws more than 11,000 fans of techno music each year to Nuremberg’s Marienberg Park to experience beats between trees, meadows and water. The festival thrills with its unique line-up, summer atmosphere and unforgettable moments. On three stages, national and international DJs lead the dance and celebration 10 hours long.
23 August 2025
The Indie Open Air in Nuremberg is a highlight for all music lovers and festival fans who enjoy the special atmosphere of open-air events. Set in the city park, this festival organized by Club Stereo features a varied program of indie hits. On several stages, both established artists and new talent fill the summer night with indie vibes and live music.
Planned for April 2026
The Bierchen und Bühnchen is a music and pub festival in Gostenhof, Himpfelshof and nearby. Artists, bands and DJs meet to kick-off the festival season for music fans before the summer begins. The concerts take place not only on an open air stage, but also in bars, cafés and pubs, which creates a special music experience.
5– 7 June 2026
Three days of a state of emergency rule every year at the grounds around the Volksfestplatz, Dutzendteich and Zeppelin Field, when rock and metal fans from all over the world come together for Rock im Park. From noon until late at night, famous bands from around the globe play their hits on the big stage – from pop rock to punk to metal. This event, which mirrors Rock am Ring, is the largest rock party in Bavaria and a must for every lover of harder music.
Planned for June 2026
The Nuremberg Airport draws music lovers from all over Europe each year to celebrate open air club vibes at the Garlic Land Festival. More than 11,000 guests party to the international chart hits of Electronic Dance Music and experience the top stars of the national and international EDM scene at the largest one-day event of its type in southern Germany.
27 June 2026
The motto of the Super Sommer Sause at the Nuremberg Airport is Nuremberg meets Mallorca. And the name says it all: For more than 10 years, the most popular and successful Mallorca and party music stars fill the stage and celebrate together with more than 17,000 visitors. Old songs and Ballermann hits create a one-of-a-kind party atmosphere.
Planned for June 2026
The hip-hop community gathers for many years in summer at the Nuremberg Airport at the Hip Hop Garden Festival. Here, more than 13,000 visitors meet to spend a day with around 15 artists from the hip-hop scene. Top stars from Germany and the world play their old and new style hits and celebrate variety and diversity. It’s more than just a music genre, it’s a passion.
4 July 2026
The Latin Airport Festival brings Latin American rhythm and dance directly to the Nuremberg Airport. A diverse program of salsa, merengue, reggaeton and Latin pop creates the high-spirited vibe you would expect at the largest Latin Festival in southern Germany. International and national artists let more than 15,000 visitors dance and celebrate to hot beats – an unforgettable combination of rhythmic energy and international camaraderie.
Planned for August 2026
Every two years, Stars im Luitpoldhain - The Night of Jazz & Friends, host a concert under the skies in the Luitpoldhain Park. The worldwide in-demand star drummer and composer Wolfgang Haffner presents – together with friends from the music scene – one of the largest jazz and soul concerts in Europa. Fans can enjoy the sounds from international stars here free-of-charge.