Nürnberg's Klassik Open Air Festival commences in 2025
In the heart of Bavaria, Nuremberg played host to the Classic Open Air 2025 on July 27. This annual event, held in the picturesque Luitpoldhain park, is a free outdoor classical music extravaganza that attracts tens of thousands of music enthusiasts each year.
This year's edition, themed "Golden Times," was no exception. With the Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg under the baton of Generalmusikdirektor Roland Böer, the concert featured a programme inspired by the Czech Republic. Smetana's "Vltava" and selections from Dvořák's 8th Symphony were among the pieces performed, along with a violin solo by Carolin Widmann in Korngold's concerto.
The Classic Open Air has earned a reputation for promoting peaceful gatherings and fostering a sense of unity. This year, the connection to the Czech capital Prague—closer to Nuremberg than Berlin—was highlighted through the music selection. The event offered a mix of large-scale symphonic pieces and solo performances, creating an open-air concert hall atmosphere often likened to a "Woodstock" without formal dress codes.
The 2025 event drew an estimated 100,000 attendees, with around 45,000 people enjoying the evening concert and approximately 13,000 at the family matinee earlier in the day. The event is funded by donations, which also provide small tokens like bird pins for supporters.
Mayor Marcus König is a long-time fan of the Classic Open Air, praising it as a significant event in Nuremberg's cultural calendar. This year's concert was particularly special as it celebrated the 35th anniversary of the city partnership between Nuremberg and Prague. The State Philharmonic's performance was a testament to this partnership, promising goosebumps moments for all in attendance.
As the sun set over Luitpoldhain, the Classic Open Air 2025 proved once again to be a musical and cultural celebration that brings people together, transcending borders and generations.
Amid the musical celebration of the Classic Open Air 2025, attendees also enjoyed a taste of the lifestyle it promotes, blending home-and-garden elements with outdoor-living. Multiple food stalls lined the park, offering a variety of traditional dishes, while ivy-draped wooden booths showcased locally crafted home decor and garden items.
In the city of Nuremberg, where the event continuously thrives, music enthusiasts can immerse themselves not only in classical concert experiences but also in a garden festivity that fosters a sense of unity and cultural harmony.
