The anniversary celebrations are now gathering momentum!
The 50th INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL in Dresden offers numerous highlights until Sunday
Officially opened last Sunday, the 50th INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL began magnificently. Excellent early-summer weather accompanied the first events, delighting audiences, musicians and organisers alike. Today begins the anniversary celebrations’ second half, with successive highlights until Sunday.
Thursday evening begins with Riverboat Shuffle: 20 bands and 2,500 guests on two saloon ships and nine historic Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt paddle steamers. This globally unique event also draws thousands to riverbanks and bridges. Major aerial fireworks at Terrassenufer conclude the ships’ return. Since the Shuffle sold out quickly, two ships with five bands and 800 guests make a Riverboat-Sonderfahrt on Friday.
A golden anniversary requires a gala. Tomorrow, Friday, Dresden’s Schauspielhaus hosts the major birthday celebration, including musical congratulations from veteran Blue Wonder Jazzband. The gala recalls over 1,000 bands and soloists from now more than 45 countries across all continents in 50 years, and thanks loyal audiences, founders, organisers and helpers of the world’s largest traditional jazz festival. Remaining tickets are available at the evening box office.
Some tickets remain for Friday’s Blues, Boogie & Swing at the former Hangar 219 at Dresden Airport. Terrence Ngassa & The new Louis Armstrong Band (Cameroon), Pugsley Buzzard Band (Australia), Big Easy Brassband (Netherlands) and Frank Muschalle Trio promise an unforgettable musical evening.
The weekend offers residents and visitors further excellent music: eight Jazz-Meile stages between the main railway station and Taschenbergpalais present continuous free Dixieland on Saturday, 10:30–21:30, and Sunday, 12:00–19:30. Exact band times and sites appear in the magazine, available at city-centre souvenir stands, mobile souvenir teams and Dresden Information at Neumarkt and the main station.
Sunday traditionally begins with the Open-Air-Gala at Junge Garde, gathering the leading bands again. Tickets are available at the daytime box office.
The finale starts Sunday at 16:00 with Dixieland-Parade along Terrassenufer, past Italienisches Dörfchen and via Schlossplatz to Neumarkt. Bands and organisers bid farewell there, preceded at 17:30 by the anniversary competition prize draw.
