Founded in 1967 by Herbert von Karajan, the Salzburg Easter Festival (Osterfestspiele Salzburg) is an independent classical music and opera festival that takes place annually in Salzburg, Austria.
Financially autonomous from the summer Salzburg Festival, the festival relies entirely on ticket sales as well as donations and support from the Association of Patrons, sponsorships and exclusive donor programmes like the Ring Circle and Easter Circle.
The Salzburg Easter Festival is led by Artistic Director Nikolaus Bachler, former director of the Bavarian State Opera, who brings a visionary approach that blends tradition with innovation. For decades, the festival was anchored by the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan (and later Abbado and Rattle). After the orchestra’s departure in 2013, the Dresden Staatskapelle (under Christian Thielemann) served as resident ensemble. Under Nikolaus Bachler’s leadership, the festival has expanded its artistic scope and is preparing for the return of the Berlin Philharmonic under Kirill Petrenko in 2026.
Each edition of the Easter Festival presents a fully staged opera production and a series of orchestral and choral concerts, complemented by contemporary dance and electronic music commissions, and children’s programming.
The festival has also been associated with the prestigious Herbert von Karajan Prize, established in 2017 by Eliette von Karajan, which honors musicians of international stature and emerging talents alike. Since 2023, the prize has been awarded annually to three artists, each receiving €16,000.
