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Event Details
Welcome to the Vienna Smooth Jazz Festival 2026
From October 16 to 23, 2026, the Vienna Smooth Jazz Festival sets sail as a week long river cruise departing from Vienna's Danube port at Handelskai. Aboard the MS AMADEUS Star, up to 130 guests travel along the Danube while international smooth jazz artists perform live every evening.
Highlights and Attractions at the Vienna Smooth Jazz Festival
- Nine live concerts by international smooth jazz artists in the Panorama Lounge
- A line up featuring names such as Eric Darius, Jazmin Ghent, Marc Antoine, Peter White and Pieces Of A Dream
- Nightly aftershow DJ parties following the concerts
- An itinerary calling at Bratislava, Budapest, Linz and the UNESCO listed Wachau Valley
- Gourmet dining and wines from Austrian winegrowers served on board
- An intimate setting limited to 130 guests for a close up concert experience
- Optional shore excursions in the cities visited along the Danube
Find Accommodation in Vienna
Compare the best hotel prices for this event and secure your accommodation in time.
Free cancellation on most hotels
Program and Schedule: What to Expect on the Danube
The cruise begins and ends at the Vienna Danube port on Handelskai. From there the route continues along the Danube to Esztergom, Budapest, Bratislava, through the Wachau Valley and on to Linz before returning to Vienna. Each day closes with a concert in the Panorama Lounge, while daytime hours are filled with shore excursions, city visits and life on board. The full 2026 line up is still being announced and will appear on the official website as it is confirmed.
Tickets and Admission for the Vienna Smooth Jazz Festival
Unlike a typical festival, there is no single entry ticket here. Instead, guests book a stateroom package for the entire cruise, including full board, drinks and the nightly concerts. Pricing depends on the chosen cabin category and is listed in the official online shop, with flexible payment plans available over six to twelve months. Week one (October 16 to 23) currently has a waiting list, while week two has only a few remaining cabins.
Visitor Tips: Travel and Accommodation in Vienna
- The ship docks at Handelskai near the Reichsbrücke, reachable by U Bahn line U1 to Vorgartenstraße
- Since the festival is a cruise, no separate hotel stay in Vienna is required beforehand, though an early arrival day is worth planning for guests flying in
- Late October brings cool autumn weather on the Danube, so warm clothing for time on deck is advisable
- Booking early is worthwhile since the cabin count is limited to 130 guests
- Anyone wanting extra time in Vienna should plan it separately before or after the cruise
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
