International Calendar of Arts, Festivals, and Other Events

European Festivals May—September 2009

Compiled by Volker Poelzl

Austria

Wiener Festwochen, May 8-June 14, 2009, is a month-long festival of music, theater and art, held in Vienna, each spring; www.festwochen.at.

Salzburg Festival Whitsun 2009 , May 29-Jun 1, 2009, is the short spring version of the world-famous classical music and theater festival in Salzburg. www.salzburgerfestspiele.at.

European Capital of Culture 2009, Linz. In 2009, the Austrian city of Linz is the European Capital of Culture (together with the LIthuanian capital Vilnius, see below).The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development; www.linz.at/english and www.linz09.at/en/index.html.

Salzburg Festival, July 25-Aug 30, 2009, is a world-famous classical music and theater festival that attracts the world’s best conductors, musicians, and opera singers, held annually in Salzburg. Ticket prices range from $200 to $500 and sell out quickly. However, during the highbrow festival the city also offers a lot of low-cost performances at smaller venues; www.salzburgerfestspiele.at.

International Jazz Festival Saalfelden, Aug 27-30, 2009,  is a well-established jazz festival held annually in Saalfelden near Salzburg. One-day tickets range from 26 to 67 euros; tickets for the entire three-day event range from 95 to 175 euros; www.jazzsaalfelden.at.

Bregenz Festival, the Summer Festival on Lake Constance, July 22- Aug 23, 2009, is an annual classical music and opera festival held on a floating outdoors stage at the banks of Lake Constance in the city of Bregenz. Tickets range from 30 euros to 125 euros; www.bregenzerfestspiele.com/en.

Haydn Year 2009, commemorates the 300th anniversary of the death of Austrian composer Joseph Haydn, with concerts throughout the year. The events are held in the city of Eisenstadt, south of Vienna. Ticket prices range from 15 to 130 euros; www.haydnfestival.at/haydn_de.

Belgium

Rock Werchter Festival, July 2-5, 2009, is a large annual rock music festival, held near the Belgian city of Leuven. One-day tickets are 75 euros, and the four-day pass is 169 euros; camping costs 17 euros regardless of how long you stay; www.rockwerchter.be.

Pukkelpop, August 20-22, 2009, is a large rock and pop music festival held annually near the city of Hasselt; www.pukkelpop.be.

Croatia

Dubrovnik Summer Festival, July 10-Aug 25, 2009, is a classical music and theater festival, held annually in Dubrovnic since 1950. The event also includes dance and folkloric performances; www.dubrovnik-festival.hr.

Czech Republic

Prague Spring International Music Festival, May 12- June 3 2009, is an annual festival of classical music held in Prague; www.festival.cz.

International Music Festival, July 17-Aug 22, 2009, is an annual classical music festival, held in Cesky Krumlov; www.festivalkrumlov.cz.

Denmark

Roskilde Festival, July 2-5, 2009, is a large annual rock festival, held in Roskilde near Copenhagen. Tickets for the entire even are about US$316, camping not included; www.roskilde-festival.dk.

Copenhagen Jazz Festival, July 3-12, 2009, is a large jazz festival with many great international jazz musicians, held annually in Copenhagen; www.jazzfestival.dk.

Aarhus International Jazz Festival, July 11-18, 2009, is a jazz festival held annually in the city of Aarhus; www.jazzfest.dk.

Århus Festival, Aug 28 - Sep 6, 2009, is one of the largest cultural events in Scandinavia. The program includes a large selection of performances, including dance, theater, and music; www.aarhusfestuge.dk.

Estonia

Õllesummer 2009, July 8-12, 2009, is the largest beer festival in the Baltics with lots of live music, such as jazz, reggae, rock, etc., held in the city of Tallinn; www.ollesummer.ee.

France

Carcassonne Summer Music Festival, July 4-31, 2009, offers musical performances by international rock stars, as well as classical music and opera, held in Carcassonne, Southern France; www.festivaldecarcassonne.com.

Fête de la Musique, 21 Jun 2009, is a free day-long music festival with many international performers, held at outdoor venues all over Paris each year; fetedelamusique.culture.fr.

St. Denis Festival, June 7-July 7, 2009, is an annual music festival, mostly of classical music, held in St. Denis, near Paris; www.festival-saint-denis.com.

International Festival of Baroque Opera, July 3-26, 2009, is an annual music festival dedicated to opera from the baroque period, held in the city of Beaune in Burgundy; www.festivalbeaune.com.

The Nights of Fourvière, June 5-Aug 1, 2009, is an annual arts festival of music, dance, theater, and cinema, held at a Roman amphitheater in the city of Lyon; www.nuitsdefourviere.fr.

Colmar International Festival, July 2-14, 2009, is an annual classical music festivals in the city of Colmar in Eastern France; www.festival-colmar.com.

Avignon Festival, July 7-29, 2009, is an annual festival of music, art, dance and theater, held in the city of Avignon, Provence; www.festival-avignon.com.

Chorégies d'Orange, July 11-Aug 4, 2009, is a Music and Opera Festival held at the Roman theater in Orange, Provence; www.choregies.asso.fr.

Jazz à Juan’ International Jazz Festival, July 11-19, 2009, is an annual jazz festival held in the city of Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera, usually with many well-known jazz musicians; www.antibesjuanlespins.com.

La Roque d’Anthéron International Piano Festival, July 24-Aug 22, 2009, is a music festival devote to piano music, held annually at an open-air stage in the village of La Roque d’Anthéron, Provence; www.festival-piano.com.

Germany

The Carnival of Cultures ( Karneval der Kulturen), May 29-June 1, 2009, is a large, annual street festival held in Berlin. The event presents nearly 100 cultural organizations of worldwide immigrants in Germany and Europe that participate in parades, concerts, and cultural performances; www.karneval-berlin.de.

Bach Festival, June 11-21 2009, is a music festival devoted to the music of J. S. Bach, held annually in Leipzig; www.bachfestleipzig.de.

Wagner Festival, July 25-Aug 28, 2009, is an annual music festival devoted to the work of composer Richard Wagner, held in Bayreuth. Ticket prices range from 28 to 208 euros. www.bayreuther-festspiele.de.

Greece

Athens and Epidaurus Festival, June 1 - Aug 22, 2009, is an annual festival of theater, dance, music, and opera held in Athens and surrounding venues; www.greekfestival.gr.

Dimitria Festival, Sep 8 - Nov 18, 2009, is an annual festival of opera, dance, music, art, and literary seminars, held in the city of Thessaloniki; www.dimitriathess.gr. The website is in Greek, but you can download an English-language calendar of events;

Hungary

Budapest Spring Festival, March 20-April 5, 2009, is a music and arts festival ehld annually in Budabest. The event includes art exhibits, dance, conerts, and theater; www.festivalcity.hu/btf2009.

Budafest Summer Music Festival, July 2-Aug 18, 2009, is an annual festival of classical music and folkloric performances, held in Budapest; www.viparts.hu.

Sziget Festival, Aug 12- 17, 2009, is an annual rock and pop music festival held on Óbudai Island, an island on the Danube river in Budapest. Five-day event tickets are 120 euros, and camping tickets for the entire festival are 150 euros; www.sziget.hu/festival_english.

Ireland

Electric Picnic, Sep 4-6, 2009, is a large arts and music festival held annually in the town of Stradbally near Dublin. Event tickets are 240 euros; www.electricpicnic.ie.

Italy

Festival Lirico, June 19 - Aug 30, 2009, is a world-famous opera festival held annually at the Roman arena in Verona; www.arena.it.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, April 21- July 2, 2009, is festival of classical music, opera, and ballet, held annually in Florence; www.maggiofiorentino.com.

Puccini Festival, June 10 - August 23, 2009, is held in the composer’s honor in his city of birth Torre del Lago, at an outdoor venue overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli, in Tuscany, Italy; www.puccinifestival.it.

Sferisterio Opera Festival, July 23 - Aug 8, 2009, is an annual opera festival held at a historic open air stadium in the city of Macerata in Central Italy near the Adriatic sea; www.sferisterio.it.

Umbria Jazz, July 10-19, 2009, is an annual jazz festival held in the city of Perugia; www.umbriajazz.com.

Stresa Festival, Aug1-Sep 5, 2009, is an annual classical music festival, held in the town of Stresa on Lago Maggiore in northern Italy. The festival’s summer events are "Musical Meditations" (Aug 1 - 8, 2009) and "Meetings and Dialogues " (Aug 29 - Sept 5, 2009); www.stresafestival.eu.

Rossini Opera Festival, Aug 9-20, 2009, is an opera and classical music festival dedicated to the work of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, held annually in the city of Pesaro; www.rossinioperafestival.it.

MITO SettembreMusica (Milan — Turin International Music Festival), September, 2009, is a new music festival with a diverse program of music, from classical to jazz and world music, held in the northern Italian cities of Torino and Milano; www.comune.torino.it/settembremusica.

Latvia

Lithuania

Vilnius Festival, June - July 2009, is an annual music festival of mostly classical music, held in Vilnius; www.vilniusfestivals.lt.

European Capital of Culture 2009, Vilnius. In 2009,the Lithuanian city of Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture (together with the Austrian city of Linz, see above).The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development; www.culturelive.lt/en/main.

The Netherlands

Amsterdam Roots Festival, June 13-20, 2009, is a world music festival held annually in Amsterdam; www.amsterdamroots.nl.

North Sea Jazz Festival, July 10-12, 2009, is an annual jazz festival held in Rotterdam; www.northseajazz.com.

Norway

International Chamber Music Festival, Aug 10-16, 2009, is a well-established festival of chamber music held in the city of Stavanger; www.icmf.no.

Oslo Jazz Festival, Aug 10-15, 2009, is a well-known Jazz festival with over 70 concerts on 20 different stages,  held annually in Oslo; www.oslojazz.no.

Portugal

Estoril Music Weeks, July-Aug, 2009, is a classical music festival held annually in Estoril, near Lisbon; www.estorilfestival.net

Russia

White Nights Festival, May 19 - July 12, 2009, is a festival of classical music, opera, and ballet, held annually in St. Petersburg; www.wnfa.org/festivalstars.htm.

Serbia

EXIT Festival, July 9-12, 2009, is a large music festival with an international lineup of rock and pop musicians, held annually in the historic city of Novi Sad, in northern Serbia; exitfest.org.

Spain

Granada International Festival of Music and Dance, June 25 - July 14, 2009, is a festival o f classical music, Spanish dance, and ballet, held annuallyl in Granada; www.granadafestival.org.

International Music Festival of Cantonigròs, July 16 - 19, 2009, is an international festival of choral music and popular dances, held annually in the village of Cantonigròs, about 60 miles from Barcelona; www.fimc.es/en-inici.htm.

International Festival Benicassim, July 16 - July 19, 2009, is a music festival held in the Mediterranean city of Benicassim. The festival focuses on alternative pop, rock and electronica, and also includes theater, dance, and art; www.fiberfib.com.

Sweden

Stockholm Jazz Festival, July 15-18, 2009, is an annual jazz festival held in Stockholm; www.stockholmjazz.com.

Switzerland

Zurich Street Parade, Aug 8, 2009, is a large techno street parade held annually in Zurich. In addition to about two dozen moving stages (lovemobiles), there are four large stages along the 1.5 mile-long route with top DJs and dance animations; www.streetparade.ch.

Estival Jazz Lugano, is a free open-air Jazz festival held annually in the neighboring cities of Mendrisio (June 26-27, 2009) and Lugano (July 2-4, 2009); www.estivaljazz.ch.

Zurich Festival, June 19 - July 12, 2009, is an annual festival of classical music and opera, held in Zurich; www.zuercher-festspiele.ch.

Montreux Jazz Festival, July 3-18, 2009, is Europe’s most famous jazz festival, held annually in Montreux since 1967. Keep in mind that concerts sell out months in advance; www.montreuxjazz.com.

Festival de la Cité – Lausanne (Lausanne City Festival), July 3- 11, 2009, is an annual art festival with theater, music, and street performances, held in Lausanne; www.festivalcite.ch.

Gurten Festival, July 16-19, 2009, is an open-air popular music festival held annually in Bern. The festival offers a wide variety of musical styles, including rock, blues, funk, ethno, reggae, hiphop, acid jazz, etc.; www.gurtenfestival.ch.

Lucerne Festival, Aug 12- Sept 19, 2009, is an annual classical music festival held in Lucerne; www.lucernefestival.ch.

United Kingdom

Buxton Festival, July 10-28, 2009, is a festival of opera, music, and literary events held in the town of Buxton, Derbyshire, in central England.

Bath International Music Festival, May 22-June 6, 2009, is an annual music festival offering a great variety of music, from classical to world music, and jazz, held in the city of Bath, England; www.bathmusicfest.org.uk.

Glastonbury Festival, June 24 - 28, 2009, is a large rock music festival held annually in Somerset, England; www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

Early Music Festival, July 10-18, 2009, is a festival of early music held at historic venues in the city of York, England; www.ncem.co.uk/yemf.shtml.

International Eisteddfod, July 7-12, 2009, is an international festival of music, dance, and song competitions, held annually in the town of Llangollen, Wales; www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk.

Cambridge Folk Festival, July 30-Aug 2, 2009, is a well-known and popular folk festival held annually in Cambridge, England; www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk.

T in the Park, July 10-12, 2009, is a large rock and pop music festival held in Balado by Kinross, Scotland; www.tinthepark.com.

Edinburgh International Festival, Aug 14-Sep 6, 2009, is a large arts festival with a rich program of classical music, theatre, opera and dance, held annually in Edinburgh, Scotland; www.eif.co.uk.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Aug 7-31, 2009, is the largest arts festival in the world and was founded as an alternative to the more upscale Edinburgh International Festival. The Fringe festival focuses on the performing arts(music, theater, dance), featuring hundreds of artists and groups and thousands of performances in 250 venues all over the city of Edinburgh in Scotland; www.edfringe.com.