The INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL 2025 is ready, with planning largely complete. Advance sales open Friday, 18 October 2024, for the 53rd edition, from 10 to 18 May 2025. The world’s largest and oldest traditional jazz festival welcomes experts, families, Lindy Hop/swing dancers and people with disabilities with 13 international and 26 German bands and solo artists. Its 48 events offer 250 hours, around half free.
Speaking of free admission:
We have excellent news this year.
Substantial WT Energiesysteme GmbH sponsorship finally secures Dresdner Jazzmeile after years of uncertainty and financial difficulty! “This support preserves our best-attended, most prominent event, the WT Energiesysteme GmbH Dresdner Jazzmeile, for at least five years. We are greatly relieved,” says Hendrik Meyer.
Riesa-headquartered WT Energiesysteme GmbH is a rapidly growing, socially committed energy company. Founder/managing director Dietmar Tietz is a long-standing fan who remembers people camping for tickets. Media reports alerted him to Jazzmeile cuts and bleak prospects. “Supporting the INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL is close to our hearts. Our sponsorship helps preserve the traditional, popular Jazzmeile, integral to the festival,” says Tietz.
The INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL in 2025
Organiser Sächsische Festival Vereinigung e.V. (SFV) remains true to its programming approach next year, continuing the successful direction adopted in 2023: complementing established events and cherished traditions with increasing freshness through new formats, young bands, new musical offerings and new venues.
“This proven approach shapes 2025,” promises Meyer, previewing a personal priority: “Our first Open Stage next year lets bands and soloists from Dresden, Germany and worldwide demonstrate their abilities at Ibis Hotel Königstein on Prager Straße. Details and applications are on our new website.”
Opening family celebration Dixieland in Familie at Dresden Zoo, globally unique Riverboat Shuffle aboard Weiße Flotte and popular Dixie-ABC remain. New venues are Kaufpark in Dresden-Nickern, Löwensaal in a 1905 former bank on Dr.-Külz-Ring, Club Tante JU in the Industriegelände and Ballsäle Coßmannsdorf in Freital.
Swing’it launches the festival at Club Tante JU. Acclaimed at its 2023 debut, the Norwegian band visits Dresden on its 1923 Prohibition Party European tour.
Löwensaal hosts the birthday concert celebrating Elb Meadow Ramblers’ 70th and Blue Wonder Jazzband’s 50th anniversary, and the relocated Dixieland International. Blues, Boogie & Swing moves to Ballsäle Coßmannsdorf. After a successful debut, two Wohnzimmerkonzerte take place at Hoppes Hoftheater, Dresden-Weißig.
International performers include Swing’it (Norway), Blue Mockingbirds (Belgium), Le petit Orléans (France), Ladyva (Switzerland) and Nils Conrad and his Amazing Jazzband (Netherlands). South West Oldtime All Stars, formed around award-winning trumpeter Martin Auer since 2018, promise outstanding music. German bands Time Rag Department (Berlin), Sunshine Brass (Suhl) and local Thomas Stelzer Gospel Crew and TU Bigband complete the line-up.
Tickets available from 18 October 2024
Programme, performers, venues and ticket information are now on the redesigned, fully accessible www.dixielandfestival-dresden.com.
Tickets go on sale Friday, 18 October 2024 through Etix, on 0351 30 70 80 00, regional outlets including Dresden Information, Florentinum/Schillergalerie box offices and DDV Lokale, and Etix outlets nationwide.
“We want to attract younger audiences and families, so our ticket prices cater for everyone. Our three ticket packages, covering three or six events, offer substantial savings. Gift vouchers are also available and make excellent presents, particularly with Christmas approaching,” explains festival spokesperson Hendrik Meyer.
