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Salzburg Festival programme: Salzburg’s big stage for opera, drama and concerts

When the summer festival begins, all of Salzburg is transformed into a stage. Max Reinhardt once declared the entire city a festival venue – and it has stayed that way: squares, churches and halls create the scenery for a festival that radiates well beyond Austria’s borders. Opera, drama and concerts meet Baroque backdrops, world-renowned artists and an audience from all over the world.

The programme unites grand opera evenings, impressive theatre productions and festive concerts – many of them in locations unlike any other: at the Cathedral Square, in the Felsenreitschule, in the Großes Festspielhaus.

At Vienna Classic, you’ll find the full programme for the Salzburg Festival. Select your performance, check available spaces and book your tickets – securely and in just a few steps online.

Salzburg Festival tickets: secure tickets for sensational summer evenings

An evening at the Salzburg Festival features dramatic staging that is unlike a customary visit to the theatre or a concert. The festival squeezes all its highlights into a few weeks of summer. Those who book tickets here are choosing a special moment in the densely filled festival calendar.

Book your Salzburg Festival tickets directly online, securely and in a matter of minutes. Confirmation is sent by email and the seat is yours.

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Jedermann at Cathedral Square: the crowning glory of the Salzburg Festival

No image represents the Salzburg Festival better than that of “Jedermann” in front of the cathedral façade. Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s play about the death of a rich man opened the first festival in 1920 – and remains one of its biggest crowd-pullers to this day.

The open evening sky above the actors, the old façades all around, the scene punctuated by the chiming of cathedral bells. You won’t find this backdrop in any theatre hall. Which is exactly what makes “Jedermann” at Cathedral Square the festival’s symbol.

Your tickets to “Jedermann” secure you a spot at more than just a performance. The title role is one of the most desired roles in the German-speaking world – with the play having been featured in the programme over 700 times.

Memorable moments against a spectacular backdrop

The Salzburg Festival revolves around its venues. The Großes Festspielhaus, House for Mozart, Felsenreitschule, Cathedral Square and Kollegienkirche form the central festival district in the heart of the city.

The Großes Festspielhaus provides the prestigious framework for major opera and concert evenings. The House for Mozart makes music theatre more tangible for the audience and creates space for unique tones. The Felsenreitschule is absolutely unmistakeable with its rocky architecture, making it one of Salzburg’s most impressive stage spaces.

It is precisely this closeness of the venues that characterises the festival. In Salzburg, you don’t just go from one performance to the next. You move through a city that becomes the stage in and of itself.

The Salzburg Festival: a story of success since 1920

August 1920. Austria has lost the war, the Habsburg Empire has fallen, the people are starving. It’s at this precise point in time that Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Max Reinhardt and Richard Strauss decide to found the festival – as a cultural answer to the crisis.

Reinhardt stages Hofmannsthal’s “Jedermann”, as the result of a dilemma more than anything: the play that was originally planned was not ready, and after the war there was no timber for a stand in the Felsenreitschule. So Reinhardt asked the archbishop for the square in front of the cathedral. Thus the last resort became a tradition. To this day, every summer the call “Jedermann!” can be heard from the rooftops of the old town.

The Salzburg Festival grew rapidly: in 1921, concerts were added, and 1922 saw the addition of Mozart operas and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra as the festival orchestra. But its history wasn’t all plain sailing. Financial difficulties forced a cancellation in 1924, and in the 1930s the Nazi regime banished Jewish artists such as Reinhardt, Bruno Walter and Arturo Toscanini.

After the 2nd World War began a golden era, inextricably linked with one name: Herbert von Karajan inaugurated the Großes Festspielhaus in 1960 with Strauss’ “The Rose-Bearer” and shaped the Salzburg Festival until his death in 1989. Today, the Salzburg Festival is considered the most significant festival for operas, plays and concerts – with over 200 performances throughout six weeks of summer.

Salzburg Festival visitor information

The most important venues of the Salzburg Festival:

Main venues:

Großes Festspielhaus

House for Mozart

Felsenreitschule

Cathedral Square

Kollegienkirche

Großes Festspielhaus address:

Hofstallgasse 1

5020 Salzburg

Austria

Nearest stop:

Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz

Public transport:

Bus lines 1, 8, 10, A, 22 and 23

Plan plenty of time for your festival visit. Although the routes through the old town are short, they are heavily frequented before popular performances. Always check the exact venue of your performance before you arrive.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about purchasing tickets for the Salzburg Festival

What happens if it rains during a performance of Jedermann?

“Jedermann” at the Cathedral Square is an open-air performance. In the event of rain, storms or an unclear weather forecast, the play may be moved to the Großes Festspielhaus. Therefore, allow enough time and check the latest information on the selected performance before the show.

Are there surtitles at the Salzburg Festival?

At many operas and selected productions, surtitles help to better follow the storyline. Which language is offered depends on the performance in question. Check the information on the selected performance before you book.

Is my festival ticket also valid for public transport?

During selected festival periods, the admission ticket is also valid as a travel ticket for the Salzburg Transport Association. The exact validity may vary depending on the season and event. So check the current information on the selected venue before you arrive.

Does the Salzburg Festival feature barrier-free access?

Yes. The Salzburg Festival offers barrier-free access, barrier-free toilets and spaces for wheelchair users at the venues. Check the information on the selected venue before you book.

Am I allowed to take large bags or luggage to the festival?

Large bags, rucksacks and bulky items of luggage are generally not admitted at the venues. Wherever possible, arrive with a small bag and pay attention to the information about the selected show.