34th Festival Krumlov

The International Music Festival Český Krumlov will write its 34th story from 11 July to 2 August 2025 and will present 47 concerts in 17 locations.

The dramaturgy of the upcoming edition will be linked by the theme Unexpected Connections, which will bring unusual connections between composers and musical works in unusual locations. It will also combine different art disciplines and musical forms in an unusual way and spice up the programme with surprising choreography or direction. The new theme has also prompted the creation of the “New Connections” concert series. This brings an experiment to the dramaturgy, contemporary music and one of two world premieres. The festival will feature chamber works, symphonic works, ballet and opera productions. A historically informed interpretation of Baroque music will also be an integral part of the festival.

The accompanying programme Festival Zone, which is free of charge, will expand in the number of activities and projects. It will bring musical, cultural, experiential, charitable and educational projects, including two masterclasses. A series of concerts and events under the name KrumlOFF will also significantly increase the cultural offer for the general public for free throughout the year.

Christmas Concert Nahoře

Advent atmosphere will be brought by the concert of the young South Bohemian group Nahoře. The group plays their own songs and looks for inspiration in foreign folk songs.

7 / 12 / 2024

KrumlOff

Saturday - 15:30

Svornosti Square, Český Krumlov

Christmas Concert Nahoře

Unexpected Baroque

Music by Baroque masters, dancing on the water, surprising artistic concepts and of famous soloists. The opening concert will be crowned by baroque illuminations and fireworks.

11 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Friday - 21:00

Little Lake, Castle Park

Unexpected Baroque

New Connection: Listening Eyes

A travelling concert hall reminiscent of UFOs will make Český Krumlov ring with installations and tailor-made music in a renewed premiere. The audience will also be able to join in.

12 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Saturday - 10:30

Port 1560 – courtyard

New Connection: Listening Eyes

Violin Virtuoso: Maxim Vengerov

One of today's most acclaimed violinists will perform with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Daniel Raiskin.

12 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Saturday - 19:30

Castle Riding Hall

Violin Virtuoso: Maxim Vengerov

Sunday Matinee: to the Sound of Organ and Trumpet

Jiří Houdek and Aleš Bárta will pay tribute to the royal instrument and the sonorous tones of the trumpet on Sunday morning.

13 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Sunday - 11:00

Church of Corpus Christi and the Grieving Virgin Mary

Sunday Matinee: to the Sound of Organ and Trumpet

Slavic Trio: (de)breathing afternoon

The wind trio of young musicians will bring the rhythmic Martinů and the melodic Tomasi to the Monastery Garden on Sunday afternoon.

13 / 7 / 2025

Festival zone

Sunday - 15:00

Monastery Garden

Slavic Trio: (de)breathing afternoon

New Connections: Fama Q

Enthusiasts for chamber and modern music present works by domestic and international contemporaries, including the world premiere of a work by Martin Kux. All this in conjunction with a distinctive architecture.

16 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Wednesday - 20:30

Portál – Visitor Centre, Port 1560

New Connections: Fama Q

Congratulatory Concert: Štěpán Rak 80

Congratulatory concert on the occasion of the 80th birthday of guitarist Štěpán Rak. With his son Jan-Matěj and the Prague Guitar Quartet, he will rock the Masquerade Hall with six guitars.

17 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Thursday - 19:30

Masquerade Hall, Castle

Congratulatory Concert: Štěpán Rak 80

The Unclassical Classic

Václav Kopta, the biggest hunk of the Czech showbusiness, will show that classical music is often mistakenly called classical. Directed by Jan Budař and accompanied by the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK.

18 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Friday - 19:30

Castle Riding Hall

The Unclassical Classic

Temperament of the South: Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

The virtuoso guitar master and conductor Pablo Sáinz-Villegas will present Spanish guitar repertoire with a touch of southern temperament, enriched by a performance by a flamenco dancer.

19 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Saturday - 20:30

Brewery Garden

Temperament of the South: Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

Organ Matinee: Krzysztof Urbaniak

What will happen when a Polish professor from the University of Bremen takes over the organ in a Czech church? Krzysztof Urbaniak will offer baroque and his own compositions.

20 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Sunday - 11:00

Church of Corpus Christi and the Grieving Virgin Mary

Organ Matinee: Krzysztof Urbaniak

Fratelli Bilan: Garden in the Rhythm of Elegance

The talented sibling duo will bring iconic musical works to the gardens in an unconventional arrangement for vibraphone and harp. Brother and sister will thus charmingly and humbly address a wide audience.

20 / 7 / 2025

Festival zone

Sunday - 15:00

Monastery Garden

Fratelli Bilan: Garden in the Rhythm of Elegance

Song Recital: Cukrová, Willi

The unmistakable voice of mezzo-soprano Markéta Cukrová accompanied by Barbara Willi in the oldest church in South Bohemia will be enhanced by natural illuminations.

20 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Sunday - 20:00

St. Nicolas Church in Boletice

Song Recital: Cukrová, Willi

New Connection 2B: Bach and Boulez – Light and Shadow

An experimental connection supported by the play of light and shadow will leave no one in doubt that almost anything goes in the new concert series.

23 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Wednesday - 21:00

Egon Schiele Art Centrum

New Connection 2B: Bach and Boulez – Light and Shadow

Organ Gala Concert

Experience the ceremonial sound of the organ performed by the participants of the masterclasses. The Gala Concert will culminate in a Mecca of organists in the Golden Crown Monastery under the direction of Jaroslav Tůma and Pavel Svoboda

24 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Thursday - 19:30

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Zlatá Koruna

Organ Gala Concert

Baroque Opera: Händel – Alessandro Severo

Handel's opera in a historically informed interpretation by the Collegium Marianum under the direction of Jana Semerádová in the most preserved Baroque theatre in the world.

24 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Thursday - 19:30

Castle Baroque Theatre

Baroque Opera: Händel – Alessandro Severo

Baroque Opera: Händel – Alessandro Severo

Handel's opera in a historically informed interpretation by the Collegium Marianum under the direction of Jana Semerádová in the most preserved Baroque theatre in the world.

25 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Friday - 19:00

Castle Baroque Theatre

Baroque Opera: Händel – Alessandro Severo

World Quartet: Quatuor Ébène

Perfect interplay and perfect sound. The world-famous quartet will offer works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and contemporary composer Merlin in the Masquerade Hall,

25 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Friday - 19:30

Masquerade Hall, Castle

World Quartet: Quatuor Ébène

Vocal Geniuses: Take 6

Ten Grammy winners across musical genres return to the festival at the audience's request. Take 6 will appeal with velvety voices, absolute rhythm and inspiring lyrics.

26 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Saturday - 20:30

Brewery Garden

Vocal Geniuses: Take 6

Prague Brass Quintet

The Český Krumlov synagogue will come alive with a thrilling performance of young Czech brass players with the world premiere of a composition by Jiří Trtík.

27 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Sunday - 11:00

Synagogue Český Krumlov

Prague Brass Quintet

Quasi Trio in Gardens

A family afternoon with the Quasi Trio in the gardens will convince you that the combination of clarinet, cello and piano has been working perfectly for hundreds of years.

27 / 7 / 2025

Festival zone

Sunday - 15:00

Monastery Garden

Quasi Trio in Gardens

Trio Incendio: Forgotten Contemporaries

One of Europe's most outstanding young ensembles will present a programme combining works by well-known and lesser-known composers.

30 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Wednesday - 19:30

Jesuit Hall, Hotel Růže

Trio Incendio: Forgotten Contemporaries

Chamber Music Academy in Kaplice

The Chamber Music Academy Talent Showcase will combine precision and unbridled youth in a new festival location.

31 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Thursday - 17:00

Church of St. Peter and Paul, Kaplice

Chamber Music Academy in Kaplice

Organ Soirée: Katharina Zauner

Austria's rising star organist Katharina Zauner will play the royal instrument in Kaplice.

31 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Thursday - 20:00

Church of St. Peter and Paul, Kaplice

Organ Soirée: Katharina Zauner

Nocturne - Breathe Deeply: Tomáš Jamník & AKH

Tomáš Jamník and the scholarship holders of the Academy of Chamber Music will draw visitors into the heart of music as the sun sets.

31 / 7 / 2025

Main program

Thursday - 21:30

City park, Kaplice

Nocturne – Breathe Deeply: Tomáš Jamník & AKH

Jan Mráček and Virtuosos V4+

The leading Czech violinist Jan Mráček will meet the young winners of the Virtuosos V4+ competition on one stage. They will offer an international evening full of vibrant energy, fresh interpretation and musical passion.

1 / 8 / 2025

Main program

Friday - 19:30

Castle Riding Hall

Jan Mráček and Virtuosos V4+

Passionate Carmen: Opera, Ballet

An iconic story of love and unbridled passion, presented by opera stars – Ester Pavlů, Joseph Calleja and Svatopluk Sem – and ballet personalities of the Rome Opera, choreographed by Jiří Bubeníček.

2 / 8 / 2025

Main program

Saturday - 20:30

Brewery Garden

Passionate Carmen: Opera, Ballet

General Partner

Main Partners

Official Partners

The festival is held under the auspices of