Bregenzer Festspiele (Bregenz Festival) is a spectacular summer performing arts festival held on the shores of Lake Constance in Bregenz, Austria, renowned for its jaw-dropping floating stage and epic open-air opera productions. Each July and August, audiences gather to experience world-class performances—often reinvented classics—set against a backdrop of dramatic stage sets rising from the water, enhanced by cutting-edge lighting and acoustics. The atmosphere is part opera, part theatrical wonder, and entirely unforgettable, making it one of Europe’s most visually stunning and culturally rich festivals.
DATES & TIMES
• Festival season: 22 July – 23 August 2026. Official schedule • Official site.
• Seebühne premiere: Verdi’s La traviata — 22 July 2026 (new Opera on the Lake, 2026–27). Announcement • Advance‑sale info.
• Festspielhaus premiere: Janáček’s The Excursions of Mr Brouček — 23 July 2026. Programme.
• Timetable: exact start times are listed per date on the schedule page.
LOCATION
• Venues: Seebühne (floating stage on Lake Constance) & Festspielhaus Bregenz (indoor). Venue list.
• Main hub map: Festspielhaus Bregenz, Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 1 — Open in Google Maps • Visitor info in FAQ.
TICKETS & ENTRY
• Buy tickets: check real‑time availability and book by performance. Buy tickets • Ticket FAQ.
• Weather policy: the festival strives to perform outdoors; a semi‑staged version may move indoors to the Festspielhaus. Cat. 1/1+/2/Lounge/Premium: valid for indoor version, non‑refundable if moved; Cat. 3–7: Seebühne‑only with refund/exchange if played <60 min. Official terms.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Guided tours: backstage & Seebühne tours run from late May to end of season (advance booking recommended). Guided tours info.
• Weather prep: bring warm, waterproof layers; umbrellas are not permitted during performances. FAQ.
• Plan with the schedule: filter dates for La traviata, Mr Brouček, and orchestral concerts. Official schedule.
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