29th Chursächsischer Sommer 2026 - The cultural festival in the European spa region.
Since 1996, the Chursächsische Sommer festival—celebrating the European spa region—has traditionally opened annually on May 1 in the Saxon State Spa of Bad Elster. This year’s festival, running through October 4, will not only take place on the stages of the historic “Festival Mile of Short Distances” in the Royal Gardens, but will also once again bring together over 40 venues across the world-renowned Saxon-Bohemian spa region and the neighboring vacation regions in Bavaria and Thuringia in the heart of Europe, featuring around 300 cultural events.
The radiant “summer residence” of this successful cultural festival is the cultural and festival city of Bad Elster, which truly delights visitors in a “royal” manner with renowned artists and ensembles, as well as a fitting supporting program of concerts in the historic spa gardens, wellness offerings, and culinary delights. However, an important part of the Chursächsischer Sommer are also the numerous partner organizations and festival venues that shape the festival period with their cultural tourism programs. The Chursächsische Philharmonie—as the festival orchestra in residence—tours extensively each year on its “summer tour” as a “musical ambassador” to numerous venues worth experiencing, such as castles, churches, and concert halls.
The radiant “summer residence” of this successful cultural festival is the cultural and festival city of Bad Elster, which truly delights visitors in a “royal” manner with renowned artists and ensembles, as well as a fitting supporting program of concerts in the historic spa gardens, wellness offerings, and culinary delights. However, an important part of the Chursächsischer Sommer are also the numerous partner organizations and festival venues that shape the festival period with their cultural tourism programs. The Chursächsische Philharmonie—as the festival orchestra in residence—tours extensively each year on its “summer tour” as a “musical ambassador” to numerous venues worth experiencing, such as castles, churches, and concert halls.
