Event Details
Welcome to the Grafenegg Festival 2026
From 14 August to 6 September 2026, the historic landscape gardens of Grafenegg Castle, located between Vienna and the Wachau valley, transform for the 20th time into one of Europe's most renowned festival destinations. At its heart stands the Wolkenturm, one of the acoustically finest open air stages in the world, offering 1,700 seats and 300 lawn spaces. The 2026 anniversary programme brings together world class orchestras and today's leading artists, and for the first time features the new hall in the renovated riding school, named after Rudolf Buchbinder.
Highlights
- 20th Grafenegg Festival, marked by a particularly lavish anniversary programme
- Performance by the Vienna Philharmonic under Tugan Sokhiev on 3 September
- A tribute to Rudolf Buchbinder, who has shaped Grafenegg over two decades
- Soloists including Martha Argerich, Daniil Trifonov, Riccardo Muti and Yuja Wang
- Tonkünstler Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Philharmonia Orchestra London
- New venue: the Rudolf Buchbinder Hall in the riding school
- Afternoon concerts with Joyce DiDonato, Gautier Capuçon and others
Program
The festival opens on 14 August with the Philharmonia Orchestra London under Cristian Măcelaru, joined by the Vienna Singverein and soloists, in a major choral and orchestral programme that sets the festive tone for the anniversary summer. Over the following weeks, the European Union Youth Orchestra, the Tonkünstler Orchestra Lower Austria, the Munich Philharmonic and other leading ensembles take turns on the Wolkenturm stage. On 3 September, the Vienna Philharmonic under Tugan Sokhiev performs a programme of Mozart and Mahler. The evening programme is complemented by afternoon concerts and solo recitals, including appearances by Time for Three, Joyce DiDonato and Gautier Capuçon. Ahead of the festival itself, the "Summertime" series brings Saturday evening concerts from 27 June to 8 August.
Tickets
Tickets are available through the official Grafenegg website, through oeticket and in part through Raiffeisenbank branches in Lower Austria and Vienna. Prices vary widely by concert and seating category: simple lawn tickets or afternoon concerts start at around 15 euros, while top categories for major orchestral concerts such as the Vienna Philharmonic can reach up to 180 euros. Visitors under 26 receive a 50 percent discount on ticket prices.
Visitor Tips
- Book popular concerts such as the Vienna Philharmonic early, as these categories sell out quickly.
- Bring a picnic blanket for the lawn seating; a picnic in the park is part of the experience at many concerts.
- Pack warm clothing for the evening, as concerts take place outdoors.
- Traveling by train to Krems or Hadersdorf and then by shuttle bus is recommended, as parking is limited.
- Allow enough time before the concert for a walk through the historic castle gardens.
