List of classical music festivals


The following is an incomplete list of classical music festivals – music festivals focused on classical music. Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western music, and has long been played at festival-like settings. It encompasses a broad span of time from roughly the 11th century to the present day. The major time divisions of classical music are as follows: the early music period, which includes the Medieval and the Renaissance era, played at early music festivals; the common practice period, which includes the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras, which included opera festivals and choral festivals; and the 20th century which includes the modern that overlaps from the late 19th-century, the high modern, and contemporary classical music festivals or postmodern eras, the last of which overlaps into the 21st-century. The term "classical music" did not appear until the early 19th century, in an attempt to distinctly canonize the period from Johann Sebastian Bach to Beethoven as a golden age.

Related lists, categories, and media

ListCategoryMedia
:Category:Classical music festivals|Classical music festivals
:Category:Classical music festivals by country|Classical music festivals by country
List of music festivals :Category:Music festivals|Music festivals
List of early music festivals :Category:Early music festivals|Early music festivals
List of chamber music festivals :Category:Chamber music festivals|Chamber music festivals
List of choral festivals :Category:Choral festivals|Choral festivals
List of Indian classical music festivals
List of opera festivals :Category:Opera festivals|Opera festivals
List of Bach festivals :Category:Bach festivals|Bach festivals
List of Christian music festivals :Category:Christian music festivals|Christian music festivals
:Category:Contemporary classical music festivals|Contemporary classical festivals
List of experimental music festivals :Category:Experimental music festivals|Experimental music festivals
:Category:Electroacoustic music festivals|Electroacoustic festivals

Festivals

Africa

Festival nameLocationYearsNotes
Festival international de musique symphonique d'El JemTunisia; El Djem1985–presentHeld every summer
Greyton Genadendal Classics for AllSouth Africa2003–presentHeld third weekend in May each year
Nosy Be Symphonies – Festival de Musique Classique de l'Océan IndienMadagascar2014–presentHeld end of August each year
Klein Karoo KlassiqueSouth Africa2009–presentHeld beginning of August each year

Asia

Festival nameLocationYearsNotes
Kuthiramalika FestivalIndia; Thiruvananthapuram?–presentAt shrine built by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
Sarvani Sangeetha SabhaIndia; Chennai1986–presentEncouraging young talents
Parampara Series – AndhriIndia; Hyderabad1997–presentAsian classical music
Swathi SangeethotsavamIndia; Trivandrum2000–presentAsian classical music
The Hindu Friday Review Music FestivalIndia; Chennai2005–presentAsian classical music
All Pakistan Music ConferencePakistan; Lahore1959–presentQawaali, classical, pop, rock, hamd, ghazel
Israel FestivalIsrael; Jerusalem1961–presentArts festival with classical focus
Istanbul International Music FestivalTurkey; Istanbul1973–presentClassical music, ballet, opera, traditional music
Mersin International Music FestivalTurkey; Mersin2002–presentClassical, jazz, pop
Gümüşlük International Classical Music FestivalTurkey; Gümüşlük2004–presentAnd Eklisia summer school
Tokyo Summer FestivalJapan; Tokyo1985–presentMixed genres
Pacific Music FestivalJapan; Sapporo1990–presentPerformers from major orchestras serve as faculty.
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto FestivalJapan; Matsumoto1992–presentHeld in August and September
Beijing Music FestivalChina; Beijing1998–presentFounded by the Chinese government
Great Wall International Music AcademyChina; Beijing2005–presentMonth-long classical music institute
Tongyeong International Music FestivalSouth Korea; Tongyeong2002–presentLarge event with multiple genres
Isang Yun CompetitionSouth Korea; Tongyeong2003–presentClassical competition
Daegu International Opera FestivalSouth Korea; Daegu2003–presentMultiple features beyond main opera
Music in PyeongChangSouth Korea; PyeongChang2004–presentChamber music festival
Beigang International Music FestivalTaiwan; Beigang2006–presentBeigang Philharmonic Association
Bengal Classical Music FestivalBangladesh; Dhaka2012–presentSouth Asian classical music

Europe

Festival nameLocationYearsNotes
Nordic Music Days1888–presentHeld in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway
Grafenegg FestivalAustria2007–present
KlangBogen WienAustria1995–2006
Salzburg FestivalAustria1920–present
Salzburg Easter FestivalAustria1967–present
StyriarteAustria1985–presentInternational festival, held in Graz and Styria
Vienna Spring FestivalAustria1992–present
Summa Cum Laude FestivalAustria2007–present
Gabala International Music FestivalAzerbaijan2009–present
Mstislav Rostropovich Baku International FestivalAzerbaijan2007–present
Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music FestivalAzerbaijan2009–present
XXIV International Society for Contemporary Music FestivalBelgium1950
International Chamber Music Festival PlovdivBulgaria1964–present
March Music DaysBulgaria–present
Music Biennale ZagrebCroatia1961–present
The International Music Festival of F. L. VekCzech Republic–present
Janáček Music FestivalCzech Republic1976–present
Prague Autumn International Music FestivalCzech Republic1991–2008
Prague Spring International Music FestivalCzech Republic1946–present
Aldeburgh FestivalEngland
Bampton Classical OperaEngland
Bath International Music FestivalEngland
Birmingham Triennial Music FestivalEngland1784–1912
Brighton Early Music FestivalEngland
Dartington International Summer SchoolEngland
English Music FestivalEngland
Harrogate International FestivalsEngland
Hastings Musical FestivalEngland
Henley FestivalEngland
Hoffnung Music FestivalEngland
Investec International Music FestivalEngland2010–present
Leeds FestivalEngland
Leeds LiederEngland
Oundle International FestivalEngland
Oxford International Piano FestivalEngland
Oxford Lieder FestivalEngland
Prom on The CloseEngland
The PromsEngland1895–
Southern Cathedrals FestivalEngland1904–
Spitalfields MusicEngland
St Albans International Organ FestivalEngland
Swaledale FestivalEngland
Three Choirs FestivalEngland1719–
Tilford Bach FestivalEngland
Two Moors FestivalEngland
York Early Music FestivalEngland
Aix-en-Provence FestivalFrance1948–present
Besançon International Music FestivalFrance1948–present
Festival International de Musique Saint-GeorgesFrance2018-presentHeld in Guadeloupe
Festival des Nuits RomantiquesFrance
Forest FestivalFrance
La Folle JournéeFrance
MusicaFrance
Musique-CordialeFrance
Opéra de BaugéFrance
Strasbourg Music FestivalFrance
Bachfest LeipzigGermany1904–presentEarly Bach festival
Bachwoche AnsbachGermany1947–presentBonn
Bayreuth FestivalGermany1876–presentWagner opera festival
Bayreuther OsterfestivalGermany1994–presentEaster festival
BeethovenfestGermany1845–presentBeethoven festival
Braunschweig Classix FestivalGermany1988–present
Dresden Music FestivalGermany1978–present
Göttingen International Handel FestivalGermany1919–presentDevoted to Handel
Germany1997-presentInternational festival
InterHarmony International Music FestivalGermany1997–presentInternational festival
Internationale Maifestspiele WiesbadenGermany1896–presentInternational theatre festival
Kissinger SommerGermany1986–present
Klavier-Festival RuhrGermany1988–presentPiano festival; classical music and jazz; lasts more than three months
Lower Rhenish Music FestivalGermany1818–1958Early classical festival held on Pentecost
Magdeburger Telemann-FesttageGermany1990–presentDevoted to the works of Telemann
Rheingau Musik FestivalGermany1987–presentConcerts take place at a culturally important location.
Schleswig-Holstein Musik FestivalGermany1986–presentSummer festival
Sommerliche Musiktage HitzackerGermany1946–presentSummer chamber music festival
Ardee Baroque FestivalIreland–present
Cork International Choral FestivalIreland–present
Lismore Opera FestivalIreland–present
New Ross Piano FestivalIreland–present
Wexford Festival OperaIreland1951–present
West Cork Chamber Music FestivalIreland1995–presentBantry
Settimane Musicali al Teatro Olimpico di VicenzaItaly1992-present
CIMA FestivalItaly–present
InterHarmony International Music FestivalItaly–present
Bergen International FestivalNorway–present
Chopin FestivalPoland–present
Chopin and his EuropePoland2005–present
CistermúsicaPortugal1993–presentIn Alcobaça
Organ Festival of BragaPortugal Braga2014–present
EUROPAfestRomania–present
George Enescu FestivalRomania–present
Radiro - International Radio Orchestras FestivalRomania–present
Toamna Muzicală ClujeanăRomania1965–present
Edinburgh International FestivalScotland1947–present
Belgrade Music FestivalSerbia1969–present
Košice Music Spring FestivalSlovakia1956–present
Festival Internacional de SantanderSpain–present
Lucerne FestivalSwitzerland1938–present
Festival Musikdorf ErnenSwitzerland1974–present
Nox IlluminataSwitzerland2004–present
Verbier FestivalSwitzerland1956–present
Festival Oude MuziekNetherlands1982–present
Holland FestivalNetherlands1947–present
Gümüşlük International Classical Music FestivalTurkey–present
Istanbul International Music FestivalTurkey–present
Mersin International Music FestivalTurkey–present
Kyiv Music FestUkraine–present
North Wales International Music FestivalWales1972–present

North America

Festival nameLocationYearsNotes
Brott Music FestivalCanadaMultiple genres
Bach Music Festival of CanadaCanada2011–presentBach festival
Domaine ForgetCanada–present
Festival 500Canada–present
Festival of the SoundCanada–present
Kiwanis Music FestivalCanada–present
Mondial ChoralCanada–present
Montreal FestivalsCanada, Montreal–present
Music and BeyondCanada–present
New Brunswick Summer Music FestivalCanada, New Brunswick–present
Ottawa ChamberfestCanada, Ottawa–present
Quebec City Summer FestivalCanada, Quebec–present
Quebec Contemporary Music SocietyCanada, Quebec–present
Stratford Summer Music FestivalCanada–present
Toronto Summer Music FestivalCanada, Toronto–present
Tuckamore FestivalCanada–present
American Festival for the ArtsUnited States
Annual Avant Garde Festival of New YorkUnited States
Aspen Music Festival and SchoolUnited States
Atlantic Music FestivalUnited States
Bard Music FestivalUnited States
Bellingham Festival of MusicUnited States
Blossom FestivalUnited States
Bowdoin International Music FestivalUnited States
Bravo! VailUnited States
Brevard Music CenterUnited States
Bridgehampton Chamber Music FestivalUnited States
Caramoor Summer Music FestivalUnited States
Carmel Bach FestivalUnited States
Chamber Music NorthwestUnited States
Chestnut Hill ConcertsUnited States
Cincinnati May FestivalUnited States
Colorado MahlerFestUnited States
Colorado Music FestivalUnited States
Festival Mozaic, San Luis ObispoUnited States, California1971–presentMultiple genres
Festival Napa ValleyUnited States
Festival of Neglected Romantic MusicUnited States
Festival of New Trumpet MusicUnited States
Fine Arts Summer Academy United States
Grand Teton Music FestivalUnited States
Grant Park Music FestivalUnited States
Hot Springs Music FestivalUnited States
Kneisel HallUnited States
La MusicaUnited States
Laguna Beach Chamber Music SocietyUnited States
Los Angeles Philharmonic InstituteUnited States
Mainly Mozart FestivalUnited States
MasterWorks FestivalUnited States
Mendocino Music FestivalUnited States
Midsummer Mozart FestivalUnited States
Mineral Point Chamber Music FestivalUnited States2017–presentThis annual June festival features advanced university-level ensembles
Missouri Chamber Music FestivalUnited States
Mostly Modern FestivalUnited States2018–The focus of the festival is "mostly modern": music by living composers from around the world, with occasional works from the standard repertoire.
Mostly Mozart FestivalUnited States
Music Academy of the WestUnited States
Music@MenloUnited States
Music from Angel FireUnited States1984–presentMusic from Angel Fire celebrates extraordinary chamber music in the Northern New Mexico communities of Angel Fire, Taos, Raton and Las Vegas.
Music House InternationalUnited States1997–presentStudy with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Music in the MountainsUnited States, Colorado
Music MountainUnited States1930–presentJune through September annually; devoted to the string quartet and other chamber music; Twilight series of jazz, swing, etc. Education programs, master classes, etc.
National Music FestivalUnited States, Chestertown, Maryland2010–presentFirst two weeks of June annually
Newport Music FestivalUnited States
Norfolk Chamber Music FestivalUnited States
Northern Lights Music FestivalUnited States2003–presentThe Northern Lights Music Festival is a three week classical music performance program and music school which is held each summer on the Minnesota Iron Range.
Ojai Music FestivalUnited States
OK Mozart FestivalUnited States
Olympic Music FestivalUnited States
Oregon Bach FestivalUnited States
Park City International Music FestivalUnited States
Philadelphia International Music Camp & FestivalUnited States1997–presentStudy with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Piano SummerUnited States
Portland Chamber Music FestivalUnited States
Rockport MusicUnited States
Santa Fe Chamber Music FestivalUnited States
Sarasota Music FestivalUnited States
Sitka Summer Music FestivalUnited States
Strings Music FestivalUnited States
Worcester Music Festival, MassachusettsUnited States, Massachusetts–present
West Side Orchestral ConcertsUnited States–present
Vermont Mozart FestivalUnited States, Vermont–present
Tanglewood Music CenterUnited States–present
Classical/Pops FestivalBarbados2014–presentHeld yearly in December

Oceania

Festival nameLocationYearsNotes
Intervarsity Choral FestivalAustralia1950–presentChoral festival
Melbourne International Arts FestivalAustralia1986–presentHeld for 17 days each October
Canberra International Music FestivalAustralia1994–presentHeld at the end of April annually
G-TARanaki Guitar FestivalNew Zealand2008–presentGuitar focus

South America

Festival nameLocationYearsNotes
Semana Musical Llao LlaoArgentina1993–presentHeld yearly in October
Septiembre MusicalArgentina1960–presentArts festival
Ilumina FestivalBrazil2015–presentChamber music festival
Festival Amazonas de ÓperaBrazil1997–presentOpera festival
Festival de Música Coral RenascentistaBrazil2017–presentReinassance music festival for 3 days
Natal LuzBrazil1986–presentClassical Christmas concert
Frutillar Musical WeeksChile1968–presentBetween January and February, 10 days
Boyacá International Cultural FestivalColombia1973–presentCultural and arts festival with classical music
International Festival of Lyric SingingPeru1996–presentInternational vocalists