The world’s largest and oldest traditional jazz festival:
The 53rd INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL approaches its climax
Plenty of live music until 18 May 2025 // Remaining tickets for some events
The 53rd edition is in full swing. Past events created a wonderful atmosphere, with further highlights ahead. Beautiful Florence on the Elbe remains Dixieland’s capital until Sunday, 18 May inclusive.
Today, Wednesday, includes “Lebens-Künstler” (14 May 2025, 15:00–21:00). Since 1998, musicians play for people with disabilities at Cultus gGmbH’s residence for people with intellectual disabilities in Altleuben, with accessible dancing/listening. Thousands of residents and visitors from facilities nationwide attend this free public outdoor event, now a popular neighbourhood/street festival.
Tonight features Boogie Connection (14 May 205, 19:30, Kanonenhof) and Sunshine Brass at “Wohnzimmerkonzert” at Hoppes Hoftheater, Dresden-Weißig (14 May 2025, 20:00).
Tomorrow, Thursday (15 May 2025), globally unique “Riverboat-Shuffle” takes Weiße Flotte Sachsen steamers/saloon ships to Pillnitz, departing 19:30 between Carola- and Albertbrücke. Twenty bands play nine ships. At return, Feldschlößchen’s aerial fireworks appear around 22:45 at Terrassenufer. Please note: Berths are published at www.dixielandfestival-dresden.com.
Friday (16 May 2024) starts “Dresdner Jazzmeile”, supported by WT Energiesysteme. Almost all festival acts play seven stages/sites from station via Prager Straße to Altmarkt for three days, including the first “Open Stage” , for which German/international acts applied through MDR Sachsen.
The free programme of “Dresdner Jazzmeile” was originally to extend to the main stage at Schlossplatz, directly into the tourist centre. Unaffordable additional costs for counter-terrorism measures required by Dresden forced urgent replanning. Organiser Sächsische Festivalvereinigung e.V. also accepted a remaining deficit of at least €60,000 for protection on Prager Straße. “We hope voluntary admission payments will close this funding gap. Contributions can be placed in collection boxes at performance sites, paid cashlessly, or made at any time through our website,” says Hendrik Meyer, renewing his appeal for support.
Also Friday (16 May 2024, 19:30), traditional “Blues, Boogie & Swing” debuts at Ballsäle Coßmannsdorf with Bech & Skeidsvoll New Orleans Band (Norway) and Spirit of the Twenties (Berlin) providing dance music. After last year’s success, Boulevardtheater (16 May 2024, 19:30) again hosts “Bernd Seiferts Dixie-Sause” with Le petit Orléans (France) and Swing‘it (Norway).
Further highlights include the joint “Geburtstagskonzert” by Dresden veterans Blue Wonder Jazzband and Elb Meadow Ramblers (16 May 2025) and “Dixieland International” (17 May), promising an outstanding musical journey. Both use new venue Löwensaal. The “Dixie-Pub” returns to Alter Schlachthof (17 May), celebrating swing dancing’s global revival to live music and reaching young dance enthusiasts.
Also noteworthy is “1923 Prohibition Party” European tour 2025 by Swing’it (Norway). The world-class 2023 favourites combine dance, jazz, humour, showgirls and vintage DJ sets at Club Tante JU (17 May 2025, 20:00). Recommended attire: 1920s/1930s. Dancing continues immediately with the third “Elektro meets Dixie on the Dancefloor”late-night party (from 23:00).
Sunday’s finale traditionally opens with “Open-Air-Gala” at the Junge Garde open-air theatre (18 May 2025, 11:00). The festival’s finest bands and soloists present an engaging programme lasting three and a half hours, captivating audiences and providing a musical overview of the festival. This year’s performers include Nils Conrad and his Amazing Jazzband (Netherlands), Blå Mandag Jazzband (Denmark) and South West Oldtime All Stars (Germany). Tickets remain in advance and at the daytime box office.
The largest final-Sunday attraction (18 May), “Dixieland-Parade”, starts at 16:30 on a shortened circuit around Brühlsche Terrasse because Terrassenufer is partly closed, without diminishing customary exuberance.
Many events have remaining tickets in advance and at daytime/evening box offices. Availability, programme and line-up are at www.dixielandfestival-dresden.com.
