21 January 2026
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There are many exciting festivals to attend this year – with so many of the world's greatest pianists appearing at them! Take a look at our hand-picked list below.
EUROPE
Grafenegg
14 August-6 September
For the 20th year, Austrian festival Grafenegg celebrates music, life, nature and how they all come together with a particularly impressive anniversary programme.
Salzburg Festival
17 July-30 August
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Evgeny Kissin and Igor Levit are just three pianists who grace the stage at one of the most famous music festivals in the word.
La Roque D’Antheron
July and August
The piano festival to end them all, in a village north of Aix-en-Provence: as many as four concerts a day for a month, nearly all featuring either one of the world’s great pianists or an exciting new talent. Full details available online in late spring.
Klavier Festival Ruhr
Throughout the year
Germany’s answer to La Roque d’Antheron, based in the industrial heartland of the north. Impossible to list all the glorious names appearing, but you will be able to glance through them at your leisure.
© Monika Rittershaus
Rarities of Piano Music
August
Based in the north German fishing town of Husum, this piano festival is where you will hear pianists who have to play rare repertoire only (so Beethoven’s off the menu!).
Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival
4 July-30 August
The programme isn’t up yet, but there’s bound to be a great assortment of pianists at this renowned festival in north Germany.
Lucerne Festival
August-September
Offering a varied range of approximately 100 concerts and related events. Each Summer Festival features a guiding theme that runs dramaturgically through the programming. The Festival presents a diverse array of formats, including symphony concerts, chamber music, recitals, debuts, late night events, and much more. The program for 2026 will be published at the end of January.
Montreux Jazz Festival
3-18 July
In halls and cafes on the shore of Lake Geneva, the world’s great jazz pianists rev up packed houses and riff with gifted stars of tomorrow. Valais fashion designer Kévin Germanier created the poster for the 60th Montreux Jazz Festival, which will take place from July 3 to 18, 2026. Programme details to come.
Menuhin Gstaad Festival
16 July-5 September
Isata Kanneh-Mason, Khatia Buniatishvili and Gabriela Montera are just three great pianists appearing in the glamorous Swiss mountain resort during the summer months. All details available online.
© Mark Shapiro
Verbier Festival
16 July-2 August
Inundated with top pianists, many of which faithful returnees, the 2026 line-up includes: Khatia Buniatishvili, Richard Goode, Evgeny Kissin, Lucas Debargue, Kirill Gerstain – playing not only the standard concertos but also unique combinations of chamber music.
USA
Aspen Music Festival
July-August (dates tbc)
Public masterclasses and rehearsals galore take place against the stunning backdrop of the Colorado mountains. Programme to appear shortly.
Bravo! Vail
End of June-August (dates tbc)
Four of the world’s greatest orchestras make their summer home at Bravo! Vail. These internationally renowned musicians and acclaimed soloists perform powerful classical works, soulful jazz, and electrifying pops programs in a majestic Rocky-Mountain setting. The American pianist Anne-Marie McDermott makes her final appearance as artistic director this year, so it’s bound to be a good one.
The Gilmore Festival
30 April-10 May
Based in Kalamazzo, the 2026 Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival will feature the finest international pianists playing classical, jazz, and pop music. The piano will be center stage for Gilmore-commissioned world premieres, free community concerts, films, musical theatre, and so much more.
© Allen Cohen
Marlboro Music Festival
18 July-16 August
Established stars and young musicians gather for intensive rehearsal before giving five weekends of concerts. Programme to be announced.
Tanglewood Festival
19 June-28 August
Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening in Ozawa Hall – where world-renowned soloists and ensembles create unique programs especially for Tanglewood. Programme to be announced.