The Baltic Sea Festival 2025

World stars, inspiring conversations, and a shared belief in the future

This year's edition of the Baltic Sea Festival takes its starting point in the theme of "waves" – a symbol for everything from sound and light to the movements of history and emotions. In line with the theme, the festival invites you to magnificent concerts and exciting conversations with a focus on nature, creativity, collaboration, and music.

The highlights are many: The festival will open on the Baltic Sea Day on August 28 with Grammy-winning conductor Alan Gilbert, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, and shooting star Maria Dueñas in Bruch's Violin Concerto. The world premiere of Mikael Karlsson's and Anna von Hausswolff's Grand Guignol, with both the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Choir, promises an evening of darkness and ecstasy, and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra makes its first appearance in Sweden under the direction of Manfred Honeck.

World-renowned pianist Piotr Anderszewski will perform a recital with music by Bartók and Brahms, and violinist Janine Jansen will begin her season as Artist in Residence with Franz Schubert's enchanting Octet in F major. Jazz will make its debut at the Baltic Sea Festival when Sofia Jernberg and Per Texas Johansson take the stage at Fasching, and for the youngest Berwaldhallen visitors, a full day of musical activities, instrument exploration, and an exciting performance at sea awaits.

Salonen conducts the final

The festival's co-founder Esa-Pekka Salonen, also Artist in Residence in 2025/2026, promises a magnificent finale with Strauss's farewell songs Vier letzte Lieder and Bruckner's romantic fourth symphony, together with the acclaimed soprano Asmik Grigorian and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Welcome to the Baltic Sea Festival 2025 - a musical wave that carries us towards new horizons!