Events and Activities
July 9th - 12th, 2026
July 10th,
Welcome Reception for the Orchestra Representatives
July 11th,
Workshops at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna
July 11th,
Workshops at the Music Guards of The Austrian Armed Forces
July 10th,
Opening Ceremony in Vienna's Konzerthaus
July 12th,
Competition
July 10th-12th,
Special Concerts
July 10th-13th,
Music Dinner and Celebration
July 13th,
Gala concerts in the famous Golden Hall of Musikverein
July 10th-13th,
Attendance as audience in the Golden Hall of Musikverein
In the afternoon, the Opening Ceremony is planned to take place in Vienna's famous Konzerthaus. In the heart of the building lies the Konzerthaus’s flagship, the Grosser Saal (Great Hall). Home to world-famous orchestras, virtuoso soloists, renowned conductors and legendary jazz musicians, the Great Hall can accommodate an audience of 1,800 and offers the perfect venue for a wide variety of musical activity. The Great Hall has emerged from the major renovation with renewed splendour but has continued to conserve its original elegance.
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Note: all orchestras are welcome to attend the opening ceremony as audience.
In the evening, the Festival Committee invites the representatives of each orchestra to join in the first meeting with welcome reception.
​
Note: only orchestra representatives should attend this event. Application in advance is necessary!
Workshops will be provided at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, which is one of the most famous music universities in the world. Members of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and professors at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, together with other Austrian music experts will coach the orchestras with different themes and techniques.
​
Note: all orchestras can apply for getting workshops.
Workshops will be provided at the music guards of The Austrian Armed Forces (at the Maria-Theresien-Kaserne). Colonel Mag. Bernhard Heher, head of the music guards, and his colleagues will coach wind orchestras with Austrian music works and methods.
​
Note: All wind orchestras can apply for one of the workshops.
Orchestras participating in the category “Competition” will make their debuts in front of the international jury, consisting of world well-known orchestral conductors and music experts. For details please read the chapter “Celebration and Competition”.
​
Note: All orchestras can apply for participating at the competition.
During these days, there will be a series of Special Concerts in and around the city of Vienna. Top venues like MuTh concert hall, Votiv Church, Square of the City Hall of Vienna etc. Small towns around Vienna will also provide Austrian flair for the concerts.
​
Note: all orchestras can apply for performance at one of such concerts. Each orchestras has the chance to perform individually on stage. The whole concert could be shared with other orchestras.
Music connects countries! On request of orchestras, dinner and party as optional services will be organized to refresh, to perform, to dance and to celebrate with other orchestras together. A great chance to make new friends with other orchestras!
​
Note: Request in advance is necessary.
The rehearsals and gala concerts will take place at the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein, where the famous New Year’s Concert of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is broadcasted each year to the world (www.musikverein.at). It will be one of the highlights of the festival and give the orchestra members an unforgettable memory. Each orchestra has the chance to perform on this grandiose stage alone and impress the Austrian and international guests with its artistic achievement.
Note: all orchestras are welcome to perform at the Gala Concert. Each orchestra has chance to perform individually on the stage. The whole concert will be shared with other orchestras.
July 9th,
Welcome Reception for the Orchestra Representatives
July 10th,
Workshops at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna
July 10th,
Workshops at the Sofiensäle
July 9th,
Opening Ceremony at the Hofburg
July 11th,
Competition
July 9th-12th,
Special Concerts
July 9th-12th,
Music Dinner and Celebration
July 12th,
Gala concerts in the famous Golden Hall of Musikverein
The Opening Ceremony of the World Orchestra Festival will take place in the afternoon in the Festsaal of the Hofburg. This historic imperial hall, renowned for its majestic architecture and elegant interior, provides a stunning setting for the event. Long associated with grand ceremonies and prestigious cultural occasions, the Hofburg embodies Vienna’s rich heritage as a global center of classical music and culture. Hosting the Opening Ceremony here perfectly combines the timeless grandeur of the city’s musical tradition with the vibrant energy of contemporary orchestral talent.
​
Note: all orchestras are welcome to attend the opening ceremony as audience.
In the evening, the Festival Committee invites the representatives of each orchestra to join in the first meeting with welcome reception.
​
Note: only orchestra representatives should attend this event. Application in advance is necessary!
Workshops will be provided at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, which is one of the most famous music universities in the world. Members of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and professors at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, together with other Austrian music experts will coach the orchestras with different themes and techniques.
​
Note: all orchestras can apply for getting workshops.
Workshops will be held at the Sofiensäle, a historic Viennese venue renowned for its stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage. Expert instructors will guide participants in performing Austrian musical works, sharing traditional techniques and contemporary methods. The majestic halls and unique acoustics of Sofiensäle provide an inspiring environment for wind orchestras and musicians to immerse themselves in Austria’s musical traditions while exploring new artistic expressions.
​
Note: All wind orchestras can apply for one of the workshops.
Orchestras participating in the category “Competition” will make their debuts in front of the international jury, consisting of world well-known orchestral conductors and music experts. For details please read the chapter “Celebration and Competition”.
​
Note: All orchestras can apply for participating at the competition.
During these days, there will be a series of Special Concerts in and around the city of Vienna. Top venues like MuTh concert hall, Votiv Church, Square of the City Hall of Vienna etc. Small towns around Vienna will also provide Austrian flair for the concerts.
​
Note: all orchestras can apply for performance at one of such concerts. Each orchestras has the chance to perform individually on stage. The whole concert could be shared with other orchestras.
Music connects countries! On request of orchestras, dinner and party as optional services will be organized to refresh, to perform, to dance and to celebrate with other orchestras together. A great chance to make new friends with other orchestras!
​
Note: Request in advance is necessary.
The rehearsals and gala concerts will take place at the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein, where the famous New Year’s Concert of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is broadcasted each year to the world (www.musikverein.at). It will be one of the highlights of the festival and give the orchestra members an unforgettable memory. Each orchestra has the chance to perform on this grandiose stage alone and impress the Austrian and international guests with its artistic achievement.
Note: all orchestras are welcome to perform at the Gala Concert. Each orchestra has chance to perform individually on the stage. The whole concert will be shared with other orchestras.
Note: Subject to change
Events and Activities
July 16th - 19th, 2026
July 16th,
Welcome Reception for the Orchestra Representatives
July 17th,
Workshops at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna
July 17th,
Workshops at the Sofiensäle
July 16th,
Opening Ceremony at the Austria Center Vienna
July 18th,
Competition
July 16th-19th,
Special Concerts
July 16th-19th,
Music Dinner and Celebration
July 19th,
Gala concerts in the famous Golden Hall of Musikverein
The Opening Ceremony of the World Orchestra Festival will take place in the afternoon at the Austria Center Vienna. As one of Austria’s largest and most modern conference venues, the center provides a prestigious and state-of-the-art setting for this remarkable event. Renowned for hosting major international congresses, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings, Austria Center Vienna reflects Vienna’s dynamic role as a global meeting point for music, culture, and innovation. Its contemporary architecture and spacious facilities create the perfect atmosphere to celebrate the elegance of classical music alongside the vibrant energy of today’s orchestral talent.
​
Note: all orchestras are welcome to attend the opening ceremony as audience.
In the evening, the Festival Committee invites the representatives of each orchestra to join in the first meeting with welcome reception.
​
Note: only orchestra representatives should attend this event. Application in advance is necessary!
Workshops will be provided at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, which is one of the most famous music universities in the world. Members of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and professors at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, together with other Austrian music experts will coach the orchestras with different themes and techniques.
​
Note: all orchestras can apply for getting workshops.
Workshops will be held at the Sofiensäle, a historic Viennese venue renowned for its stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage. Expert instructors will guide participants in performing Austrian musical works, sharing traditional techniques and contemporary methods. The majestic halls and unique acoustics of Sofiensäle provide an inspiring environment for wind orchestras and musicians to immerse themselves in Austria’s musical traditions while exploring new artistic expressions.
​
Note: All wind orchestras can apply for one of the workshops.
Orchestras participating in the category “Competition” will make their debuts in front of the international jury, consisting of world well-known orchestral conductors and music experts. For details please read the chapter “Celebration and Competition”.
​
Note: All orchestras can apply for participating at the competition.
During these days, there will be a series of Special Concerts in and around the city of Vienna. Top venues like MuTh concert hall, Votive Church, Square of the City Hall of Vienna etc. Small towns around Vienna will also provide Austrian flair for the concerts.
​
Note: all orchestras can apply for performance at one of such concerts. Each orchestras has the chance to perform individually on stage. The whole concert could be shared with other orchestras.
Music connects countries! On request of orchestras, dinner and party as optional services will be organized to refresh, to perform, to dance and to celebrate with other orchestras together. A great chance to make new friends with other orchestras!
​
Note: Request in advance is necessary.
The rehearsals and gala concerts will take place at the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein, where the famous New Year’s Concert of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is broadcasted each year to the world (www.musikverein.at). It will be one of the highlights of the festival and give the orchestra members an unforgettable memory. Each orchestra has the chance to perform on this grandiose stage alone and impress the Austrian and international guests with its artistic achievement.
Note: all orchestras are welcome to perform at the Gala Concert. Each orchestra has chance to perform individually on the stage. The whole concert will be shared with other orchestras.
Note: Subject to change