Attend the Klassik Open Air concerts
For a city with a population of 500,000, Nuremberg is extremely lively with cultural events and shows running year-round. One of the most popular events is the Klassik Open Air Nürnberg, an enchanting event played out in the Luitpoldhain Arena. Each year during the summer, locals and visitors are welcomed to have a picnic in the park with sparklers and firework while being serenaded by the city's biggest orchestras: the Nuremberg Staatsphilharmonie and the Nuremberg Symphoniker. The unrivaled success story of Klassik Open Air (described as the "Woodstock of classical music") started in 2000, on the occasion of the City of Nuremberg's 950th anniversary. Since then, metal fans, absolute "classic" beginners, or connoisseurs, celebrate a peaceful party with great community spirit and a picnic under a starry sky. Rock fans set up their camp next to a musical ladies' circle, a Turkish picnic group shares its bread with Russian festival goers. All peacefully sit together on the meadow, thoroughly relaxed and complete with spontaneous applause and little dance intermezzos. Head over to the Dutzendteich Lake to enjoy a feast for the senses, along with over 150,000 people of all ages, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
A historical space
When attending the concerts at Luitpoldhain Arena, you will find yourself in a space filled with history. It was first created in 1906 to host a Bavarian industrial exhibition and named after the Prince Regent Luitpold. After 1933, the grounds were used by the SS and SA during the Nazi Party Rallies. They used the amphitheater for Blood Consecration of their new flags. The sacred and symbolic Blood Flag was touched against other Nazi flags in order to consecrate them during the Nuremberg Rallies. While this area was once a place filled of hate, the magic of classical music redefined the site and created positive associations with this venue.
Other cultural events in Nuremberg
Concerts and annual music festivals, such as the Jazz Festival, Organ Festival or Rock in Park in June on Zeppelin Field, all cater to music lovers. At Rock in the Park, international artists such as Bob Dylan, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi have all made an appearance. For the culturally minded, discover the International Puppet Theatre Festival in May or the Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival in October. The country's oldest and largest open-air festival is the Summer Night Film Festival which runs for three weeks in August each year. Whenever you choose to visit Nuremberg, there will be no shortage of things to do or events to experience.