For a few days every autumn, Salzburg sounds a little different.
From 15 to 18 October 2026, Jazz & The City brings musicians from around the world into the heart of Salzburg’s historic Old Town.
But this is not the kind of festival where you spend the entire evening in one concert hall.
Jazz Around Every Corner
The idea behind Jazz & The City is simple: take music out into the city and let Salzburg itself become the stage.
Concerts take place in a variety of locations throughout the historic centre, creating an atmosphere that feels spontaneous and wonderfully unstructured. Instead of planning every minute, you can simply wander from one venue to the next and see where the music takes you.
That makes the festival feel less like a formal cultural programme and more like discovering another side of Salzburg.
A Different Side of Salzburg
The city is famous for Mozart, opera and classical concerts. Jazz & The City offers a refreshing contrast.
Historic courtyards, atmospheric bars, churches and other spaces become meeting points for musicians and audiences. International artists share the programme with emerging talent, while visitors and locals mingle throughout the Old Town.
And perhaps the best part: many of the concerts are free.
Four Days of Music
The festival runs from 15–18 October 2026, making it an ideal reason to visit Salzburg in autumn. The summer crowds have disappeared, the city feels more relaxed, and the cooler evenings are perfect for moving between intimate concert venues and cosy bars.
Our Gentle Hide Tip
Don’t overplan.
Start with one concert, wander through the Old Town, stop for a drink, discover another venue and let the evening unfold naturally. Jazz & The City is at its best when you leave a little room for the unexpected.
It is Salzburg with a different soundtrack – contemporary, spontaneous and full of character.
With Gentle Hide as your base, Jazz & The City is particularly easy to experience. All of the festival’s concert locations in the city centre are within walking distance, with the main stage in Linzergasse just a one-minute walk from the hotel. It means you can move effortlessly from one concert to the next, discover new venues along the way and return to Gentle Hide whenever you feel like taking a break.
All Images : © Henry Schulz