Over 275 hours of outstanding live music until 18 May 2025 // Tickets remain // Counter-terrorism responsibilities still unclear

The 53rd INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL opened Sunday with five events across Dresden and its surroundings. Until next Sunday, 18 May, the world’s largest and oldest traditional jazz festival transforms beautiful Florence on the Elbe into Dixieland’s capital. Thousands enjoyed compelling music in excellent opening weather.

Dixieland in Familie at Zoo Dresden traditionally opened the morning, with Sächsische Zeitung and organisers welcoming families for games, excitement, animals and music. Dixie am Konzertplatz Weißer Hirsch, Heide-Dixieland at Landgut Hofewiese, Langebrück, Frühschoppen at Ramada by Wyndham and Dixie-Stopp in der Radelbar also provided joyful introductions.

The 53rd INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL

Today, 11 May, is only the beginning of eight full festival days. The 53rd INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL offers 277 hours of jazz in total, including 148 hours with free admission. Forty-two bands and soloists from eight countries will appear in 48 events.

Young bands and attractive formats seek new audiences as danceable traditional jazz enjoys a worldwide youth revival. Children, families, experts, dancers, partygoers and people with disabilities are catered for. Riverboat-Shuffle returns despite work at collapsed Carolabrücke.

Swing’it’s world-class 1923 Prohibition Party European tour 2025 combines dance, jazz, humour, showgirls and vintage DJ sets. The undisputed 2023 favourites play Club Tante JU on Saturday, 17 May, 20:00. 1920s/1930s attire is recommended.

New venue Löwensaal Dresden presents two exceptional concerts. On Friday, 16 May, at 19:30, Blue Wonder Jazzband celebrates its 50th anniversary alongside Elb Meadow Ramblers’ 70th. On Saturday, 17 May, at 19:30, the same venue hosts the outstanding Dixieland International. Also new are Ballsäle Coßmannsdorf in Freital, making their festival debut on Friday, 17 May, at 19:30 with traditional dance-evening favourite Blues, Boogie & Swing.

The first Open Stage, applied for by German/international bands and soloists, runs Friday–Sunday, hosted by Sachsenradio’s Silvio Zschage at the MDR stage, Ibis Hotel Königstein.
Tickets remain for 1923 Prohibition Party, Sunday’s Open-Air-Gala at Junge Garde and other events. Late sales for MS August der Starke mean Riverboat-Shuffle and Riverboat-Sonderfahrt availability.

Riverboat-Shuffle information: Carolabrücke works move departures/arrivals for Riverboat-Shuffle (15 May) and Riverboat-Sonderfahrt (16 May) between Carola- and Albertbrücke. Only PD Pirna departs Terrassenufer. Exact berths: www.dixielandfestival-dresden.com.

Counter-terrorism: responsibilities still unclear

“Despite repeated requests to political decision-makers, responsibility remains unresolved,” reports Meyer. Final payment of extra costs and liability also remain unclear.

To recall the background: six weeks before the festival began, Dresden’s administration instructed organiser Sächsische Festivalvereinigung e.V. to equip all public Dresdner Jazzmeile performance areas with counter-terrorism barriers. This unexpected requirement posed a major challenge: additional costs of at least €120,000 for the previously planned sites were unaffordable, particularly at such short notice. Almost half the entire programme therefore faced cancellation. The free programme was originally to begin at Dresden’s main railway station and extend to the main stage on Schlossplatz, directly into the city’s tourist centre. Instead, the spring market stage on Altmarkt now marks its endpoint.

€60,000 deficit: voluntary admission for Dresdner Jazzmeile

Organisers adapted Prager Straße’s programme and accepted at least €60,000 remaining protection deficit to save the festival. “We hope voluntary admission covers it by the end. Pay into stage collection boxes, online there or anytime through our website. For now, we wish everyone a joyful, exciting, memorable and safe festival,” concludes Meyer.

The festival in figures

Bands and soloists:
total: 42, international: 13 (7 countries), other German acts: 15, Dresden: 14

Music:
277 hours, including 148 free and 103 at Dresdner Jazzmeile alone

Events: 48

Stages/performance sites: 47