Basic information about the Salzburg Festival
In August 1920, the foundation stone for the world-famous Salzburg Festival was laid with the premier of ‚Everyman‘ on the Salzburg Cathedral Square. Since then, the festival has fascinated its visitors in the summer months from July to August. The music festival is internationally regarded as the most important celebration of classical music and performing arts.
The variety of depictions extends far beyond Hugo von Hofmannsthal‘s „Jedermann“ (Everyman). Every year more than 250.000 guests experience the unique performances of the top-class actors.
Performances included, for instance: Verdi’s ‚Aida‘, Mozart’s ‚The Magic Flute‘, Don Giovanni, Elektra, Tosca, Cosí fan tutte, as well as concerts by the Vienna Philharmonics, the Mozarteum Orchestra, the Camerata Salzburg and many other performances. The magnificent premises in the Salzburg Festival Hall with the Great Festival Hall, the Felsenreitschule, the House for Mozart and the imposing Cathedral Square serve as the backdrop for the performances. The large hall in the Mozarteum Foundation, the large university auditorium, the Perner Island in Hallein and the Collgiate Church also serve as venues for the Salzburg Festival. Experience for yourself how the entire city and the surrounding region become a stage.
Facts and details about the Salzburg Festival
- Hour of Birth: The first Salzburg Festival took place in 1920. Specifically, on 22 August 1920, ‚Everyman‘ premiered on Cathedral Square for the very first time, which was also the birth of the Salzburg Festival.
- Most important venues: the Great Festival Hall, the Felsenreitschule, the House for Mozart, Cathedral Square, the Collegiate Church, the Salzburg State Theatre, the Perner Island in Hallein and many more.
- Nationality of Guests: Around 41% of festival visitors come from Germany and 38% from Austria.
- Festival Tickets: In 2022, 224.933 tickets were issued, ranging in price from EUR 5,- to EUR 455,-.
Things to know about the Salzburg Festival
- Around 80% of festival visitors are regular guests.
- The 100th anniversary of the Salzburg Festival in 2020 was postponed into 2021 due to the pandemic and was celebrated in 2021 with 163 performances taking place over 46 days.
- The festival kicks off every year with the ‚Celebration of the Festival Opening“. The entire historic centre in Salzburg serves as a stage for numerous free events, which culminate with the traditional highlight of the „Salzburg Dance of the Torches‘ performed at Salzburg’s Residenzplatz square.
Actively on the move around the Salzburg Festival district
A visit to the festival can be combined in a particularly harmonious way with a pleasant hiking holiday in Salzburg at this time of year. Around the city of Salzburg there are many wonderful hiking regions such as the Salzburger Land, the Salzkammergut or the Salzburg Pinzgau. Enjoy the most beautiful hiking paths during the day on our individual hiking holidays and experience the lively goings-on and top-class performances in the Salzburg Festival district in the evening. This unique cultural experience is rounded off by the wonderful cuisine from the region, which you can enjoy in the surrounding restaurants before or after your performance. The Salzburg Festival is truly a treat for the palate, eyes and ears. And the best part? With us you hike completely carefree and without any luggage. Our Eurohike team on-site ensures a smooth luggage transfer throughout your active holiday. This is how relaxing an active break during the Salzburg Festival can be.
- Ten Lakes Trekking Tour, 10 days or Ten Lakes Trekking Tour, 5 days: Hike the 10 most beautiful lakes in the Salzkammergut in 10 days or the most beautiful selection of the region’s picturesque lakes on a short hiking holiday. Either way, this active holiday will provide lots of happy moments away from the Salzburg Festival.
- You can enjoy even more pleasure and that extra bit of comfort on a Lake Walking in Austria’s Salzkammergut with Charm, 8 days. This tour can also be booked as a short hiking holiday: Lake Walking in Austria’s Salzkammergut with Charm, 5 Days.
- Our hiking holiday High-Altitude Paths, Lakes & Dachstein-Glacier, 8 days, takes you up high. By foot you can enjoy the most beautiful panoramas located between Lake Traunsee, Bad Ischl, Lake Wolfgangsee and the Gosautal valley.
- Whether in 6 or 8 days – on our mountain hiking tours on the Salzalpensteig Trail you walk in the footsteps of the ‚white gold‘ between Bavaria and the Salzkammergut, as well as the Salzburger Land.