Event Details
Welcome to the Dixieland Festival Dresden 2027
From 16 to 23 May 2027, Dresden transforms for the 55th time into a stage for traditional jazz. The International Dixieland Festival Dresden is considered the largest and oldest festival of its kind in the world; since 1971 it has drawn international bands and hundreds of thousands of visitors to Saxony's capital every year. For a full week, Dixieland, swing, boogie woogie and classic jazz fill the streets, squares, concert halls and river steamers of the Elbe.
Highlights
- 55th edition of the world's largest Dixieland festival
- Opening event "Dixieland in Familie" at Dresden Zoo
- Dixietram: live jazz band aboard a historic tram
- Riverboat Shuffle with live jazz on the Elbe
- Dresden Jazzmeile street stages through the old town
- Grand gala concert at the Kulturpalast Dresden
- Traditional Dixieland Parade closing the festival
Program
The festival traditionally opens with "Dixieland in Familie" at Dresden Zoo, where children learn about rhythm and instruments through play, with singing and dancing warmly encouraged. During the week, the Dixietram brings a live jazz band aboard a historic streetcar through the city, while the Riverboat Shuffle entertains guests with live jazz aboard a paddle steamer on the Elbe. The highlight is the Dresden Jazzmeile, which stretches across the old town from Schlossplatz via Neumarkt to the Goldener Reiter, with international bands performing on numerous stages. The grand gala concert at the Kulturpalast Dresden offers top level jazz in a concert hall setting. The festival traditionally closes with the Dixieland Parade through the old town. The full 2027 band lineup will be published by the organizers, the Sächsische Festival Vereinigung, in the months leading up to the festival.
Tickets
The Jazzmeile and many open air performances are free to attend. Tickets are required for indoor venues such as the Kulturpalast or the Frauenkirche and for the boat trips on the Elbe; prices typically range from 15 to around 45 euros per concert, while river cruises cost between 35 and 55 euros. Visitors planning to attend several events can use combination tickets and festival passes, which cost up to around 123 euros depending on scope. Advance sales usually open in March of the festival year through the official website.
Visitor Tips
- Book popular Kulturpalast concerts and boat trips early, as they sell out quickly.
- The free Jazzmeile in the old town is ideal for catching several bands in a single day.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the stages along the Jazzmeile are spread over a considerable walking distance.
- Traveling by train or public transport is recommended, as the old town gets very busy during the festival.
- Bring warm clothing for the riverboat trips, as it can get cool on the Elbe even on mild May evenings.
