Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival 2026: Stockholm Takes Center Stage

The 41st edition of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (SHMF) will spotlight the Swedish capital of Stockholm and celebrate the musical versatility of trombonist Nils Landgren. The festival, running from July 4th to August 30th, 2026, will feature over 200 concerts across 73 locations in Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, Hamburg, and northern Lower Saxony. Tickets are currently available for purchase on the festival’s website, via email, or by post.

A Musical Journey to Stockholm

This year’s festival focuses on Stockholm as a “city of musical discovery,” according to Festival Intendant Christian Kuhnt. The program aims to showcase the diverse musical landscape of the Swedish capital, demonstrating how cultural originality flourishes when different influences converge. Concerts will span a wide range of genres, from symphonies and choral works to folk and pop evenings, and even baroque pieces. The festival will also feature performances by Roxette, with Per Gessle and Lena Philipsson continuing the band’s legacy following the passing of Marie Fredriksson in 2019, and performances of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ musical “Chess.”

Nils Landgren: A 70th Birthday Celebration

The festival will honor Nils Landgren on his 70th birthday, highlighting his multifaceted musical talent. Kuhnt described Landgren as “an outstanding singer” and “a wonderful artist on his instrument, the trombone.” Landgren will appear in various concerts, including collaborations with violinist Daniel Hope and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and will lead a brass workshop.

Ksenija Sidorova: The Festival’s Portrait Artist

Accordionist Ksenija Sidorova has been named the festival’s portrait artist, and will perform in 18 concerts throughout the summer. The Riga-born artist expressed her affection for the festival, stating, “I’ve played at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival several times and every time I come back I feel like I’m at home.” Sidorova’s performances will showcase the breadth of her skills, encompassing solo recitals, chamber music, and orchestral collaborations. Kuhnt specifically highlighted her upcoming concerts with Pietro Roffi in Ratzeburg and Meldorf Cathedral, describing the planned performance as “Two accordions, a large church hall and nothing else.”

Festival History

The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival was founded on June 5, 1985, in Kiel Castle, with its inaugural concerts taking place the following year. The 2026 edition marks the 41st installment of the festival.