{"id":7350,"date":"2019-01-20T07:24:56","date_gmt":"2019-01-20T06:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=7350"},"modified":"2025-12-05T10:19:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T09:19:42","slug":"summer-night-concert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/summer-night-concert\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Night Concert"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/schoenbrunnsmall.jpg\" alt=\"Front of Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace\" class=\"wp-image-8853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/schoenbrunnsmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/schoenbrunnsmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8220;A bit of music in the garden&#8221; takes on another dimension in the Viennese summer: a live performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the landscaped park of Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Welcome to the annual Summer Night Concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free, open-air <em>Sommernachtskonzert<\/em> in the palace grounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classical music with a world-class conductor and soloist(s)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2026 date: provisionally June 19th<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Park closes if it reaches capacity so travel early<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check locally for any weather-related problems etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/concerts-opera-vienna-tickets-l206741\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_SummerNight\" rel=\"sponsored\">concert experience<\/a>* for Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/accommodation\/hotels-schonbrunn-palace\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4448\">Nearby accommodation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/sommernachtskonzert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"48131\">Sommernachtskonzert experience<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/classical-concert\/\">Classical concerts in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/june\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"16505\">What to do in June<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-concert\">The concert<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/summernight2023a.jpg\" alt=\"Orchestra performing outdoors\" class=\"wp-image-72150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/summernight2023a.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/summernight2023a-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(A previous concert; press photo \u00a9 Niklas Schnaubelt)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna has a habit of gifting us beautiful settings for unique events. The Summer Night Concert (&#8220;Sommernachtskonzert&#8221; in German) is a prime example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, the world-renowned Wiener Philharmoniker gives a free open-air performance in the landscaped park and gardens of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/palace-of-schonbrunn\/\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Picture a huge stage standing among sculpted flower beds and lawns, a golden imperial palace on one side, the majestic Neptune fountain on the other. Then add a light display and, most importantly, one of the world&#8217;s greatest orchestras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s the Summer Night Concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It really is as impressive as that sounds: read about my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/sommernachtskonzert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"48131\">experience at a previous event<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tradition began in 2004 as a &#8220;concert for Europe&#8221;, conducted by none other than Bobby McFerrin, and has since gone global: TV stations around the world broadcast the performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-content-type=\"product\" data-content-ids=\"1008299,1029872\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_Concerts1\"><\/div><script defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The programme usually features relatively accessible classical pieces, with the occasional surprise. Perhaps my favourite moment was a rendition of the Imperial March from <em>The Empire Strikes Back<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Apparently, the Philharmoniker are a fan of that particular piece. They once performed with its composer, John Williams, and made a special request that the march be included in his programme.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2022-performers\">Programme &amp; performers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s a little early for 2026 details at the time of writing. But to give you a flavour of what to expect&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2025 event featured conductor Tugan Sokhiev, tenor Piotr Beczala and a first-ever appearance for the famous Vienna Boys&#8217; Choir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The programme had a strong operatic theme with notable overtures and arias, including the incomparable <em>Nessun Dorma<\/em> from Puccini&#8217;s <em>Turandot<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Andris Nelson conducted the 2024 concert with soprano Lise Davidsen as soloist and a programme that drew on popular European works from the 1800s and 1900s; the featured composers ranged from Smetana to Shostakovich with Wagner&#8217;s <em>Ride of the Valkyries<\/em> a particular highlight.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/summernight2023b.jpg\" alt=\"Opera singer and conductor\" class=\"wp-image-72151\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/summernight2023b.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/summernight2023b-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Wiener Philharmoniker, El\u012bna Garan\u010da, and Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin performing at an earlier concert; press photo \u00a9 Max Parovsky)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The concert prior to that had Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin and El\u012bna Garan\u010da with a focus on French Romanticism to Impressionism and excerpts, for example, from Bizet&#8217;s <em>Carmen<\/em> (I was lucky enough to see Garan\u010da perform the title role of that opera at Vienna&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/opera\/staatsoper\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1071\">Staatsoper<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One constant, though, is the traditional encore featuring the likes of <em>Wiener Blut<\/em> by Johann Strauss II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2022-dates-and-tickets\">2026 dates, tickets &amp; tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Summer Night Concert typically fills an early summer slot. The provisional date is June 19th in 2026. I say provisional, because there have been rumblings about state subsidy cuts that might affect the viability of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The previous performance began at 8.45pm with gates for the general public opening from around 5pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You always need to get there well before the start time, of course, because entry is free and requires no ticket, with admission on a first come &#8211; first served basis; the earlier you arrive, the better view you get. We once <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/sommernachtskonzert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"48131\">got there<\/a> an hour early and had good (but not the best) positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gates close soon after the concert begins, but sometimes earlier if the park reaches full capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sommernachtskonzert.at\/\">website<\/a> for full organisational details, including what you can and can&#8217;t take in with you, where you can watch, barrier-free seating opportunities etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that you will have to stand. Only orchestra partners and sponsors qualify for a seat, though some seating is available for those with reduced mobility (for which you must register in advance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The site should also have information and\/or social media links covering the current concert status and access situation on the day should too many people attend or the weather intervene, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Should you miss out and wish to catch up on recent concerts, the Philharmoniker tend to bring out a CD\/DVD\/Blu-Ray soon after each event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another option is the small Wiener Philharmoniker Museum built into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/haus-musik\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"16237\">Haus der Musik<\/a>, which had lengthy highlights of the most recent Summer Night Concert playing on a big screen when I last visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-to-the-concert\">How to get to the concert<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Directions for the palace are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/schonbrunn\/gettingthere\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access to the concert site for visitors who are neither VIPs nor registered for barrier-free seating is usually only from the northeast and northwest sides of the park, via the so-called Meidlinger and Hietzinger gates (follow the crowds).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If using public transport, take the U4 subway line to either Sch\u00f6nbrunn station (close to the Meidlinger gate entrance) or Hietzing station (close to the, um, Hietzinger gate entrance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway frequency typically increases before and (particularly) after the event, so you should not have a long wait when traveling to and from Sch\u00f6nbrunn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Schlo\u00df Sch\u00f6nbrunn, 1130 Vienna | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sommernachtskonzert.at\/\">Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1oN2SutdbrqOx-JViFyKk3v-X_Kw\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;A bit of music in the garden&#8221; takes on another dimension with the Wiener Philharmoniker orchestra and Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8853,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7350","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-events","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7350"}],"version-history":[{"count":54,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87358,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7350\/revisions\/87358"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}