2026 GUIDE TO FESTIVALS

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Music Academy Summer Festival & School
Music Academy Summer Festival & School
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Music Academy prizes and actively fosters community engagement. Community Access $10 tickets are available for all Summer Music Festival events, and free tickets are available for young people ages 7 to 17 accompanied by ticketed adults.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Set against the stunning backdrop of Santa Barbara—"The American Riviera"—the Music Academy of the West's Summer Music Festival offers an unparalleled blend of world-class performance and musical discovery. The 2026 Summer Festival presents more than 100 orchestra and chamber concerts, public master classes, premieres, and family-friendly events, featuring internationally acclaimed artists alongside the Academy's exceptional fellows, students, and teaching artists. Anchored by the theme "American Mosaic," the season celebrates the diverse voices, stories, and traditions shaping American classical music today, with tributes to iconic composers including George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, and Samuel Barber, alongside premiere works by Missy Mazzoli, Kevin Puts, Jasmine Barnes, Christopher Cerrone, and others—making the Festival a must-see for music lovers of all ages.
LOCATION
Santa Barbara, California
WEBSITE
DATES
June 17 - August 8, 2026
PRESIDENT & CEO
Shauna Quill
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$10 to $100
Additional ticket information: Series subscriptions on sale April 9; individual tickets on sale April 30
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 805-969-8787
SOCIAL LINKS
Music in the Vineyards
Music in the Vineyards
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
With breathtaking views of the Napa Valley, this unique combination of wine country ambiance and world class talent allows artists and audiences alike to experience chamber music in uniquely intimate settings, as it was intended to be enjoyed.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Don't miss Music in the Vineyards' 32nd annual chamber music festival in Napa Valley. Concerts are hosted by Artistic Director Michael Adams, whose irreverent live introductions are a beloved feature. In celebration of America250, this season highlights the diverse voices of composers around the world who have made the United States their home and contributed to our rich musical landscape.

Hear the Isidore and Miró Quartets; tenor Nicholas Phan; violinists Eunice Kim, Cindy Wu, Owen Dalby, Jason Issokson, Susie Park; violists Rebecca Young, Matthew Lipman, Masumi Rostad, Jordan Bak; cellists Edward Arron, Rainer Eudeikis; pianist Evren Ozel. Special events include an evening of jazz and classical chamber music under the stars and a Gala benefit concert.
LOCATION
Vineyards and locations in Napa Valley, California
WEBSITE
DATES
August 2-23, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Michael and Daria T. Adams
GENRES
Classical • Chamber Music
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$95 to $120
Additional ticket information: Above prices are for winery concerts only. See here for education and special event pricing.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 707-258-5559
BOOKING CONTACTS
Rebecca Blum , executive director
Booking cycle date range
Spring/fall 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Music@Menlo
Dedicated page for
National Repertory Orchestra
National Repertory Orchestra
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Each year, 80 talented young musicians are selected to take part in the Summer Music Festival where they will learn extensive repertoire alongside mentorship and leadership. Musicians are provided a full scholarship and housing, along with opportunities to be featured as soloists, continuing education, and community engagement performance experiences.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The NRO's 2026 season theme, "American Adventures," will be a vibrant journey through the landscapes, stories, and spirit that define the United States. In honor of the nation's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th, we will invite audiences to experience the sound of discovery, the open road, and the enduring promise of adventure. Music Director Michael Stern will be joined by guest conductors Teddy Abrams, Damon Gupton, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Jason Seber, Leonard Slatkin, and Carl Topilow.

Highlights include: "Dreams of a New World" (June 20); Bernstein, Weill, Dvořák, "A Night at the Opera" (June 27); Jurassic Park in Concert (July 18); "Scenes from the City" (July 22): Bernstein, Adams, Gershwin; NRO Finale (August 9): "The Land that Shapes Us," Schuman, Porter: TBD commission, Respighi.
LOCATION
Breckenridge, Colorado
WEBSITE
DATES
June 20 - August 8, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Michael Stern
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$23 to $62
Additional ticket information: Save more than 40% with a Season Pass or up to 20% with one of the Ticket Bundle packages; tickets and passes on sale April 1.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 970-453-5825
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Autumn 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Newport Classical Music Festival
Newport Classical Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Newport Classical presents world-class music performed in uniquely intimate concert settings, juxtaposed against opulent venues including Newport's iconic mansions. Committed to a vibrant future of classical music, the marathon-style Festival features a broad array of works from innovative new commissions to the core canon, expanding the audiences of tomorrow.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The 2026 Newport Classical Music Festival runs July 2-19, featuring 30 concerts in Newport's historic mansions and venues, including The Breakers, The Elms, Castle Hill, and Redwood Library & Athenaeum, as well as outdoor performances at King Park and Norman Bird Sanctuary.

Highlights include Opening Night with Chamber Orchestra Delirium Musicum; a Golden Age of Opera celebration with Lawrence Brownlee and Erin Morley; solo piano performances by Michelle Cann and Dmitry Shishkin, plus a two-piano recital with Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy; a new co-commission by Vivian Fung performed by Sandbox Percussion and Kristin Lee; VOCES8, Apollo's Fire, and more; two evenings with Broadway's Jeremy Jordan; and Closing Night with the GRAMMY award-winning Harlem Quartet.
LOCATION
Locations in Newport, Rhode Island
WEBSITE
DATES
July 2-19, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Trevor Neal
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$35 to $150
Additional ticket information: Tickets prices vary based on artist, program, and venue.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 401-846-1133 x1
SOCIAL LINKS
Norfolk Chamber Music Festival
Norfolk Chamber Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Alumni include nine Fischoff Competition prize-winning groups and five of the 13 Banff International String Quartet Competition's first prize winners. Norfolk is one of the oldest summer classical music festivals in North America and provides cost-free, intensive chamber music immersion. Concerts are presented in the acoustically spectacular Music Shed, dating from 1906.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Continuing a 100-plus year musical tradition, the Yale School of Music's Norfolk Chamber Music Festival is a leader in the study and performance of chamber music. Each summer the Festival offers stellar concerts performed by the acclaimed chamber musicians from across the globe. Simultaneously, Norfolk offers fully funded (tuition, housing, and meals) programs, each featuring intensive study with Festival artists and weekly performance opportunities. In addition to being featured on their own concert series, Norfolk fellows have the opportunity to perform alongside their mentors on Norfolk's Festival Artist Series concerts.
LOCATION
Nofolk, Connecticut
WEBSITE
DATES
July 3 - August 22, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Melvin Chen
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$35 to $70
Additional ticket information: Children 18 and younger attend free; tickets for young adults 19-35 are $10.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 860-542-3000
BOOKING CONTACTS
Robert Whipple , general manager
Booking cycle date range
Summer 2026 for summer 2027 and 2028
SOCIAL LINKS
Ojai Music Festival
Ojai Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Ojai Music Festival has created a place for groundbreaking musical experiences bringing together innovative artists and curious audiences in an intimate idyllic setting The Festival presents broad-ranging programs in unusual ways through its unique structure of the artistic director appointing an annual music director.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Ojai Music Festival celebrates eight decades, and it marks this milestone year, June 11-14, 2026, with a look back at its extraordinary history and leaps forward with the newest music. Led by Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, Ojai will feature an array of guest artists, including the Colburn Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, Attacca Quartet, Leila Josefowicz, Geneva Lewis, Jay Campbell, Anthony McGill, and Conor Hanick, collaborating in ever-changing combinations that are, as always, unique to Ojai.
LOCATION
Libbey Bowl, Ojai, California
WEBSITE
DATES
June 11-14, 2026
HEALTH & SAFETY
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Ara Guzelimian and Esa-Pekka Salonen
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$25 to $185
Additional ticket information: Student discounts available.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 805 646 2053
SOCIAL LINKS
Opera Holland Park
Opera Holland Park
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Combining the best of urban and country house opera under one roof. Beautiful venue in the heart of Holland Park with strong artistic quality.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Marking 30 years since Opera Holland Park was founded, new productions include Puccini's La fanciulla del West, Mozart's Così fan tutte, Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus, and a United Kingdom premiere of Ryusuke Numajiri's The Bamboo Princess.

Marking the centenary of its premiere in 1926, a concert staging of Turandot completes Opera Holland Park producing all of Puccini's operas. Rodula Gaitanou's production of Verdi's Un ballo in maschera returns, alongside Will Todd's enchanting production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
LOCATION
Opera Holland Park Theatre, Holland Park, London, United Kingdom
WEBSITE
DATES
May 26 - August 22, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
James Clutton
GENRES
Classical • Opera
TICKET PRICE RANGE
£15 to £195
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +44 0300 999 1000
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
One to two years in advance
SOCIAL LINKS
Opera in the Ozarks
Dedicated page for
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
One of the leading American opera companies known for a spring festival of inventive new productions sung in English featuring the finest singers and accompanied by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The 2026 festival season features: The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan, conducted by Darryl Archibald, directed by Seán Curran; The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, conducted by Rob Berman, directed by Crystal Manich; A Streetcar Named Desire by André Previn, conducted by Daniela Candillari, directed by Patricia Racette; Romeo and Juliet by Charles Gounod, conducted by Ramón Tebar, directed by Keturah Stickann

Center Stage: A Young Artist Showcase, conducted by Daniela Candillari, curated by Patricia Racette; Our Songs: A Free Community Concert
LOCATION
St. Louis, Missouri
WEBSITE
DATES
May 23 - June 28, 2026
HEALTH & SAFETY
DIRECTORS
Andrew Jorgensen, general director; Patricia Racette, artistic director; Daniela Candillari, principal conductor
GENRES
Classical • Opera
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$25 to $153
Additional ticket information: To help make opera accessible for all, Opera Theatre offers free seats at every performance. Named "Phyllis' Seats" in honor of the late Phyllis Brissenden, one of Opera Theatre's dearest friends and most generous supporters, this program provides at least 50 free tickets per performance. Phyllis' Seats may be reserved online or by phone in weekly lotteries at 10:30 am every Monday during our festival season.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 314-961-0644
SOCIAL LINKS
OperaMaya International Music Festival
OperaMaya International Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Operamaya provides audiences the opportunity to enjoy performances with an international orchestra in a variety of venues. A new work in the Mayan language is debuted annually and is the first performance of a live orchestra in an historia location.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Gala de Opera and Musica Mexicana concerts are performed in multiple venues. Artist faculty include tenor Simon Lee and soprano Joanna Ruszala.
LOCATION
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
WEBSITE
DATES
June 15-29, 2026
HEALTH & SAFETY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Piotr Wisniewski, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$0 to $20
Additional ticket information: Most concerts are free, open-air concerts. We are focused on exposing opera to people throughout the region of the Maya who have not had the opportunity to experience opera and classical music in general.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 812-332-0853
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Fall 2026 for summer 2026
SOCIAL LINKS
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival offers world class musicians performing in intimate settings on a beautiful ferry-accessed island off the coast of Washington State. The remote settings and small population guarantees an experience in beauty and camaraderie like no other: classical music with a view.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
August 2026 marks the 29th season of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Once more, Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann gathers the very finest musicians from around the world to present a wonderful mix of old and new chamber music. Ten mainstage concerts offered both in person and via livestream, a children's concert, a performance on neighboring Lopez Island, and many other events will make it another memorable season of music and good times in Washington State's San Juan Islands.
LOCATION
Orcas Island, Washington
WEBSITE
DATES
August 7-22, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Aloysia Friedmann
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$40 to $45
Additional ticket information: In addition to several free events, complimentary tickets are available to ticketed events for students 6-18 years old and their families.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 360-376-6636
SOCIAL LINKS
Oregon Bach Festival
Oregon Bach Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Grammy-winning Oregon Bach Festival has presented world-class music for more than five decades. Drawing audience and artists from all corners of the globe, and set against a beautiful backdrop of Oregon's natural landscape, OBF is a destination for music lovers of all kinds.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Featuring Jos van Veldhoven, Ken-David Masur, Chris Thile, Dan Tepfer, Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, Roomful of Teeth, Emi Ferguson, Paul Jacobs, Gemma New, Anton Armstrong, Jenny Wong, Conrad Tao
LOCATION
Eugene, Oregon
WEBSITE
DATES
June 27 - July 12, 2026
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$5 to $70
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 541-682-5000
SOCIAL LINKS
Oxford International Song Festival (formerly Oxford Lieder)
Oxford International Song Festival (formerly Oxford Lieder)
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Oxford International Song Festival is one of the leading international festivals of classical song. Winner of a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award, it attracts the world's greatest artists, retains a commitment to the finest emerging musicians, and offers wide-ranging opportunities to explore and learn in the historic city of Oxford.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The 25th Oxford International Song Festival celebrates a landmark year with a timeless, fundamental theme: Love Songs. An international roster of artists will explore love through poetry and music, with an approach that is by turns passionate, witty, and ironic. We are also delighted to announce three special Festival events in the inaugural season of Oxford's new Schwarzman Centre. Artists performing at this year's festival include: Benjamin Appl, Juliane Banse, Helen Charlston, Dame Sarah Connolly, Alice Coote, Konstantin Krimmel, Christoph Prégardien, Anna Prohaska, Brindley Sherratt, Camilla Tilling, Roderick Williams, and many more.
LOCATION
Locations in Oxford, United Kingdom
WEBSITE
DATES
October 9-24, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Sholto Kynoch
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
£0 to £45
Additional ticket information: See Ticket Purchase Link below for any changes in price.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 591276
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Fall 2026 for fall 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Oxford Piano Festival
Dedicated page for
Pacific Music Festival
Pacific Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Founded by Leonard Bernstein with the aim of increasing international understanding through music education, thereby contributing to world peace, PMF's faculty consists of musicians of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Wiener Philharmoniker, and the major US orchestras, with world-class soloists and conductors. More than 3,900 young musicians of 79 nationalities have participated.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Ryan Bancroft will conduct Sibelius's Tapiola, Stravinsky's Petrushka, and more with the PMF Orchestra. David Robertson will conduct Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 and more with the PMF Orchestra. Thirty concerts will be presented at PMF 2026, including orchestra concerts, chamber music, various outreach concerts, and more.
LOCATION
Sapporo, Japan
WEBSITE
DATES
July 2-28, 2026
PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR
David Robertson
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
¥0 to ¥9,000
Additional ticket information: Tickets can be purchased from outside Japan. A designated URL will be announced in the spring. Discounts are available for select concerts for listeners 25 and younger.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +81 11 242 2211 (Monday-Friday,10 am-5 pm Japan Time)
BOOKING CONTACTS
Nick Akers , PMF artistic manager
Booking cycle date range
One to two years in advance, e.g., spring 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
The Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop
The Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop invites young string players and pianists over the age of 18 to immerse themselves in chamber music masterworks in a creative and embracing environment.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Led by esteemed cellist and teacher Merry Peckham, PMP's Chamber Music Workshop (CMW) continues to grow into one of the country's most prestigious summer chamber music programs. Open to violinists, violists, cellists, pianists, and ensembles, the CMW is led by an all-star artist-faculty: Natasha Brofsky, Molly Carr, Kirsten Docter, Kim Kashkashian, Merry Peckham, Itzhak Perlman, Patrick Romano, Laurie Smukler, Donald Weilerstein, Vivian Hornik-Weilerstein, and Areta Zhulla.
LOCATION
Shelter Island, New York
WEBSITE
DATES
May 29 - June 21, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Merry Peckham
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$0 to $50
Additional ticket information: Tickets vary by event; see Ticket Purchase Link below for more information.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 212-877-5045
BOOKING CONTACTS
Merry Peckham , director
SOCIAL LINKS
Perth Festival of the Arts
Perth Festival of the Arts
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Perth Festival of the Arts is a gem in Scotland's cultural calendar, renowned for bringing global stars to Perth, while providing a platform for the best of Scotland's folk, classical and popular musicians. The diverse programme offers something for everyone and creates a connection between audiences, artists and cultural spaces.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Perth Festival of the Arts celebrates a diverse range of arts showcasing musicians from across Scotland, the United Kingdom, and beyond. Season classical highlights include the legendary Lesley Garrett in "A Diva and a Piano," VOCES8 performing "Give Me Your Stars," an immersive theatrical concert "Secret Byrd" performed by The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork viol consort, and bite-sized operas with Scottish Opera. A new Jazz Weekend features Seonaid Aitken, Ben Shankland and nine-piece strings in "An Afternoon of Gershwin," followed by a headline jazz show with guitarist Martin Taylor. Pop and indie are featured in Scotland Trending—a one-day mini-festival showcasing the rising stars in music in Scotland, while Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra return on July 21.
LOCATION
Locations in Perth City, Scotland
WEBSITE
DATES
May 21-30, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Helen Band
GENRES
Classical • Pop/Folk • Jazz
TICKET PRICE RANGE
£5 to £46.50
Additional ticket information: Ticket prices vary per concert; under 18 years old can attend a classical concert for £5; a number of concerts and events are free.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +44 01738 621031
BOOKING CONTACTS
Helen Band , festival director
Booking cycle date range
Through end of 2026 for 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Prague Spring International Music Festival
Prague Spring International Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Prague Spring Festival offers a great opportunity to see and hear the very best contemporary performers of classical music, in one of the most beautiful historic cities in the world.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The 81st Prague Spring International Music Festival stands out for its major vocal-instrumental projects. The Festival will also welcome a number of leading orchestras, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. After 52years, Martha Argerich returns to Prague Spring, while Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä will be back after three years. The program includes a recital by Eric Lu, the recent winner of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, as well as many festival debuts, particularly among the world's foremost vocal stars. Appearing at the festival for the first time will be Elīna Garanča, Benjamin Bernheim, Kang Wang, and, above all, the Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan, the Prague Spring 2026 Artist-in-Residence and, finally, the Prague Offspring's 2026 Composer-in Residence, Unsuk Chin.
LOCATION
Locations in Prague, Czech Republic
WEBSITE
DATES
May 12 - June 4, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Josef Třeštík
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€20 to €500
Additional ticket information: All tickets can be bought online directly at the Ticket Purchase Link below.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
SOCIAL LINKS
Puccini Festival
Puccini Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Puccini Festival of Torre del Lago is Italy's premier cultural event and the world's only festival dedicated exclusively to Giacomo Puccini. Held annually in the landscape that inspired his immortal melodies, it celebrates the maestro's extraordinary legacy.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the Puccini Festival are:
  • Turandot: July 17, 24 and August 1, 9
  • Tosca: July 18, 31 and August 8, 21
  • La bohème: July 25 and August 6, 28
  • Madama Butterfly: August 7, 22 and September 4
  • La fanciulla del West: August 29 and September 5
  • Lyrical Gala with Jonas Kaufmann: July 22
  • Eleonora Abbagnato Dances Puccini: July 27
  • Plácido Domingo Gran Gala: August 30
LOCATION
Torre del Lago Puccini, Tuscany, Italy
WEBSITE
DATES
July 17 - September 5, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Angelo Taddeo
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€21 to €195
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +39 0584 359322
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Summer 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Ravenna Festival
Ravenna Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Programs featuring both Italian and international world-renowned artists and all kinds of performing arts meets the unique historic-artistic heritage of a city with a millennial history: every year, the Festival turns Ravenna into an extraordinary stage.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Eight hundred years after the death of Francis of Assisi, the Ravenna Festival dedicates the title of its 37th edition to Italy's patron saint, drawing on Dante's verse "Nacque al mondo un sole" (A sun was born into the world). Opening on May 21, 2026, with a concert featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter, the program continues through July 11. Guest artists include Riccardo Muti, Kent Nagano, Nicola Piovani and Toni Servillo, Giorgio Battistelli, the Münchener Kammerorchester with Enrico Onofri and Arsenii Moon, Stefano Bollani, Enrico Rava, Pat Metheny, Jeff Mills, Sadeck Berrabah, and Yoann Bourgeois.
LOCATION
Former monasteries, natural sites, and locations in Ravenna, Italy
WEBSITE
DATES
May 21 - July 11, 2026
DIRECTORS
Honorary President Cristina Mazzavillani Muti; Artistic Directors Anna Leonardi and Angelo Nicastro
GENRES
Classical • Pop/Folk • Jazz • World/Ethnic • Opera • Ballet • Contemporary Dance • Theatre • Musical Theatre • Sacred Music • More
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€5 to €80
Additional ticket information: €5 for under 18 years old
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +39 0544 249244
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Autumn 2026, at the latest, for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Ravinia Festival
Ravinia Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Ravinia, North America's longest-running outdoor music festival, believes in the power of shared, live-music moments to inspire ourselves and the world. Beyond presenting performances by the world's greatest musicians, the not-for-profit's mission is to develop broader, more diverse audiences and performers in the music industry.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Ravinia Festival's 2026 season highlights include the 90th Chicago Symphony Orchestra Residency, Paul Simon, and other stars across musical genres.
LOCATION
Highland Park, Illinois
WEBSITE
DATES
July 11 - September 23, 2026
CHIEF CONDUCTOR
Marin Alsop
GENRES
Classical • Pop/Folk • Jazz • World/Ethnic • Rock • Hip-Hop • R&B • Electronic • Children's • More
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$15 to $200
Additional ticket information: Ticket prices vary by concert and by lawn vs. pavilion seating. See Ticket Purchase Link below for more information.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 847-266-5100
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
As early as summer 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Rockport Chamber Music Festival
Rockport Chamber Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Part of Rockport Music, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival is held in the intimate, seaside Shalin Liu Performance Center, which not only provides exceptional chamber music, but frames the performance with a view of the Atlantic behind the stage.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The 2026 Rockport Chamber Music Festival opens on June 12 with a celebration of Brahms featuring pianist Jon Kimura Parker and violinist Chee-Yun. Artistic Director Barry Shiffman has assembled an intriguing blend of some of the most exciting artists of today. The Festival brings a number of established world-class artists such as pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Simone Dinnerstein, Piers Lane, Jeremy Denk, Jonathan Biss, and more; violinists Augustin Hadelich, Ray Chen, and Joshua Bell; cellist Steven Isserlis; the Balourdet, Terra, Brentano, and Poiesis quartets; as well as chamber orchestras Delirium Musicum and A Far Cry. In addition, the Festival features many of today's most exciting competition winners, including the Poiesis Quartet, the Galvin Quartet, and many more.
LOCATION
Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, Massachusetts
WEBSITE
DATES
June 12 - July 12, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Barry Shiffman
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$29 to $145
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 978-546-7391
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
August-December for following summer
SOCIAL LINKS
Rome Chamber Music Festival
Rome Chamber Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Rome Chamber Music Festival is Rome's only chamber music festival. While the concert program is primarily classical, the RCMF features at least one contemporary piece or American composer each year.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Rome Chamber Music Festival, founded in 2003 by esteemed American violinist Robert McDuffie, is one of Rome's most anticipated cultural events. This year the festival will present an exciting program featuring chamber music favorites as well as Barber, Gershwin, and a version of "A Night of Georgia Music," featuring Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and the Allman Brothers, and Mike Mills of the iconic rock band, R.E.M.
LOCATION
Teatro Argentina, Rome, Italy
WEBSITE
DATES
June 18-21, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Robert McDuffie
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€25 to €40
Additional ticket information: Group discounts available
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
SOCIAL LINKS
Rossini Opera Festival
Rossini Opera Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Rossini Opera Festival was instituted in 1980 with the intention of supporting and implementing theatrically, the scientific work of the Rossini Foundation, aiming at the revival of all Rossini's lesser-known works.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Festival will open with a new production of Le Siège de Corinthe, conducted by Carlo Rizzi and directed by Davide Livermore. There will be two revivals of iconic productions in the history of the Festival: L'occasione fa il ladro, the only but unforgettable appearance at the ROF by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, one of the masters of 20th-century opera direction, conducted by Alessandro Bonato; La scala di seta, staged by Damiano Michieletto, one of the most significant contemporary directors who made his international debut in Pesaro, conducted by Iván López-Reynoso.

The concert program includes the Flórez 30 concerts, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Juan Diego Flórez's debut at the ROF and, finally, the Stabat Mater conducted by Domingo Hindoyan, which will close the 2026 edition.
LOCATION
Teatro Rossini, Pesaro, Italy
WEBSITE
DATES
August 11-23, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Juan Diego Florez
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€1 to €180
Additional ticket information: Ticket pricing information
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +39 0721 3800294
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Two years prior
SOCIAL LINKS
Round Top Festival Institute
Round Top Festival Institute
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
Our festival is an educational project inviting talented young artists from around the world to form the Texas Festival Orchestra. Each artist receives a full scholarship after acceptance. Performances take place in a state-of-the-art concert hall with unmatched acoustics and aesthetics.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
2026 conductors: Stefan Asbury, Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Perry So, Charles Olivieri-Munroe, Jerry Junkin, Elizabeth Askren, Carl St. Clair.

Repertoire includes: Barber, Symphony No. 1; Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 4; Beethoven, Triple Concerto; Berlioz, Benvenuto Cellini Overture; Copland, Appalachian Spring; Elgar, In The South; Elgar, Symphony No. 1; Frank, Apu; Higdon, blue cathedral; Mahler, Symphony No. 5; Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 5; Ravel, Piano Concerto in G; Saint-Saens, Symphony No. 3; Tchaikovsky, Manfred Symphony; Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6; Wagner, Prelude to Parsifal; Wineglass, Alone Together
LOCATION
Round Top, Texas
WEBSITE
DATES
June 1 - July 11, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
James Dick
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$10 to $40
Additional ticket information: Concert tickets: $35; gala concert tickets: $40; student tickets: $10
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 979-249-3129
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Summer 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Salzburg Easter Festival
Salzburg Easter Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Salzburg Easter Festival focuses on a compact program, allowing for deep artistic immersion. This year, the Berliner Philharmoniker return as the resident orchestra, offering unforgettable experiences ranging from opera to intimate chamber concerts. Since 2023, dance and electro strands attract diverse audiences, blending tradition with bold innovation.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The opera Das Rheingold with the Berliner Philharmoniker will be featured under the baton of Kirill Petrenko, directed by Kirill Serebrennikov, and starring Christian Gerhaher as Wotan, Gihoon Kim as Donner, Catriona Morison as Fricka and many other distinguished artists. There will be two Choral Concerts featuring masterworks by Haydn and Mahler, performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker alongside vocalists Jacquelyn Wagner, Golda Schultz, Konstantin Krimmel and others. Two orchestral concerts will showcase virtuoso performances with violinists Janine Jansen and Noah Bendix-Balgley as well as cellist Bruno Delepelaire. There will be the Austrian premiere of the dance performance Planet [wanderer], a production by choreographer Damien Jalet and visual artist Kohei Nawa. In addition, Electro Night Heartbroken will be an immersive electronic music event with Anja Schneider and Sven Marquardt.
LOCATION
Locations in Salzburg, Austria
WEBSITE
DATES
March 27 - April 6, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Nikolaus Bachler
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€10 to €570
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +43 662 80 45-361
SOCIAL LINKS
Salzburger Festspiele 2026
Salzburger Festspiele 2026
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Salzburg Festival is one of the world's most important festivals for classical music, opera, and performing arts, taking place every summer (July and August) in Salzburg since 1920. With over 200 events in the fields of opera, concert, and theater, the event attracts over 250,000 guests annually.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The 2026 Salzburg Festival (July 17 - August 30) will feature highlights such as Bizet's Carmen (Asmik Grigorian/Teodor Currentzis) and Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos (Elīna Garanča, directed by Ersan Mondtag). A centerpiece is Olivier Messiaen's Saint François d'Assise. Theater highlights include world premieres by Peter Handke (Schnee von gestern, Schnee von morgen) and Elfriede Jelinek (Unter Tieren) as well as the classic Jedermann.
LOCATION
Venues in Salzburg, Austria
WEBSITE
DATES
July 17 - August 30, 2026
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
€10 to €485
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: +43 662 8045 500
SOCIAL LINKS
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
The Festival, held in a stunning Southwestern setting, stands out for its extraordinary concerts performed by international artists, while its annual commissioning of new music, including through its Young Composers String Quartet Project, and year-round education programs further the evolution of the repertoire and nurture the next generation of talent.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival's 53rd season offers an international lineup of nearly 100 artists performing in 42 concerts featuring centuries-spanning repertoire, including five Festival-commissioned works. Highlights include violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Enrico Pace in a pre-season Gala Recital; Jeremy Denk, Kirill Gerstein, and Orion Weiss giving solo piano recitals; Alan Gilbert performing a trio arrangement of Bach's Goldberg Variations; baritone Benjamin Appl singing song cycles by Schubert; Santa Fe Opera Music Director Harry Bicket conducting Bach Orchestral Suites; return appearances by bassist Edgar Meyer, New York Philharmonic principal cellist Carter Brey, baritones Lucas Meachem and Will Liverman, and the Dover, JACK, and Verona quartets; plus the return of our lecture series, BAM!! Insights on the Brain & Music.
LOCATION
Locations in Santa Fe, New Mexico
WEBSITE
DATES
July 19 - August 24, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Marc Neikrug
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$20 to $118
Additional ticket information: Discounts are available for purchases of multiple tickets, packages of multiple concerts, groups of 10+, and people under 35 years of age. Prices for all concerts are subject to change and may be adjusted before or during the Festival season based on ticket demand.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 505-982-1890
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Winter 2025 and spring 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
Santa Fe Desert Chorale 2026 Summer Festival
Santa Fe Desert Chorale 2026 Summer Festival
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS FESTIVAL
One of the largest U.S. choral events, the summer festival draws 24 top-level professional vocalists who fluidly move between gorgeous soloistic singing and flawless ensemble sound. The artists are committed to "singing our common humanity," their profound connection gives testament to the wonder of this beautiful art form.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The all-professional Santa Fe Desert Chorale performs an incredible range of exceptional choral music. This summer, the Desert Chorale continues its tradition of performing Rachmaninoff's Vespers. Marking America250, the Desert Chorale sings American roots choral commissions by Moira Smiley and Shawn Kirchner, and music by Shavon Lloyd, commissioned at the selection of its Commissioning Club. Also programmed are Alex Berko's Sacred Place, interweaving the structure of a Jewish service with environmental texts, and new music by Taja Astar. With Incantare, they'll explore Early Music of Spain and Italy, including Monteverdi's Beatus Vir, Victoria's Vidi speciosam, and also Allegri's Miserere. Through the Artist Spotlight, audiences enjoy an art song recital by select Desert Chorale artists. Through Insights & Sounds, generations connect through the joy of choral music.
LOCATION
Locations in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico
WEBSITE
DATES
July 12 - August 2, 2026
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Joshua Habermann
GENRE
Classical
TICKET PRICE RANGE
$0 to $124
Additional ticket information: 50% discount available for students; call for more information
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
Telephone: 505-988-2282
BOOKING CONTACTS
Booking cycle date range
Fall 2026 for summer 2027
SOCIAL LINKS
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