Event Details
Welcome to the Thuringian Bach Weeks 2027
From 19 March to 4 April 2027, the entire state of Thuringia becomes a stage for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. As a region wide festival, the Thuringian Bach Weeks take place not only in major concert halls but above all at the composer's authentic heritage sites: the Bachhaus and baptismal church in Eisenach, his early working places in Arnstadt and Weimar, the wedding church in Dornheim and the homes of his ancestors in Erfurt. Founded in 1992, it is Thuringia's largest classical music festival; the artistic director since 2004 has been Erfurt Cathedral organist Silvius von Kessel.
Highlights
- More than fifty concerts at over thirty historic and new venues
- Opening with the traditional "Long Night of House Music"
- Concerts at authentic Bach sites such as the Bachhaus Eisenach
- International soloists and ensembles alongside young emerging artists
- Genre crossing formats blending baroque music, jazz and contemporary art
- Numerous free village concerts across rural Thuringia
Program
The Thuringian Bach Weeks traditionally open with the "Long Night of House Music", when around a hundred concerts take place in one evening in private homes throughout the state. The following weeks center on concerts at Bach's early life and working sites, complemented by guest performances from renowned soloists and ensembles from Germany and abroad. The festival explicitly does not see itself as a purely early music event; dance, theatre, jazz and new media regularly enrich the diverse program. The full 2027 concert program will be published in the months leading up to the festival.
Tickets
Many concerts, particularly in rural areas, are free to attend. Tickets for larger events are available through the online ticket shop and regional advance sale points across Thuringia; prices typically range between 15 and 45 euros depending on the concert and category. Visitors who wish to support the festival flexibly can also purchase a voucher in a value of their choosing.
Visitor Tips
- Plan ahead, as concerts are spread across all of Thuringia and travel between towns is often required.
- The opening "Long Night of House Music" is an especially intimate experience held in private homes; spaces are limited.
- Basing a trip in Erfurt, Eisenach or Weimar works well for visiting several concerts at different Bach sites.
- Bring warm clothing for church concerts, as many venues are unheated in March and April.
