Your guide to Stuttgart / Music & Entertainment in Stuttgart
Music and entertainment in Stuttgart
From sweeping vistas to modern amenities, Stuttgart offers the best of both worlds for travelers. The picturesque natural surroundings are complemented by a bustling city scene complete with stunning art galleries, fascinating museums and even a grand palace. If you'd like to soak up the local culture during your visit, be sure to include some of these events on your list of things to do in Stuttgart.
Music Events
The music you experience during your travels can stay with you for years after you return home. If you love to see live music, a visit to Stuttgart should include one of these attractions or events.
Porsche Arena
The massive Porsche Arena hosts all kinds of events in Stuttgart, including conferences, exhibitions and sporting events. However, it's also home to the biggest concerts in the city, attracting international stars and musical groups like The National, Dermot Kennedy and Il Divo. The stadium holds up to 6,500 fans for concerts and features a restaurant on site.
Musikfest Stuttgart
Established in 1985, the Musikfest Stuttgart is an annual celebration of classical music. This concert series runs for two weeks and features a unique theme each year. Performances include guest ensembles, soloists and symphony orchestras.
Jazz Open
Multiple venues
Established in 1994 and held each July, the Jazz Open has become of the city's largest music festivals. Though there's a focus on jazz music, other genres are included as well. Past performers have included acts like Bob Dylan, BB King, James Brown, Buddy Guy and Joss Stone.
Sporting Events
Stuttgart also offers a variety of exciting athletic events. It's easy to get in on the action since most of the city's sports facilities are centrally located in one area. Check out this guide to attending sports events in Stuttgart.
Mercedes-Benz Arena
Located next door to the Porsche Arena, the Mercedes-Benz Arena hosts the city's major soccer matches. It's the home field for VfB Stuttgart and holds over 60,000 spectators. It features a unique fabric roof that covers the seating areas for added comfort in the stands. In addition to hosting league games for VfB Stuttgart, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart has also been the site of numerous international matches. Fans can sign up for an arena tour that guides them through the locker rooms, player tunnel, field and box seats.
Neckarpark
Both the Porsche Arena and the Mercedes-Benz Arena are part of Neckarpark. This sprawling park includes over 135 acres and features a number of sports facilities. Some of the highlights include the Riding Stadium Stuttgart, SCHARRena Stuttgart, Stuttgart SC and Stadium Festwiese. Neckarpark also boasts its own Olympic Training Center for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Food and Drink Events
In Stuttgart, hearty meals and frothy beers reign supreme. But that doesn't mean that the city's food scene isn't diverse. Check out these top food events and culinary attractions in Stuttgart.
Stuttgarter Weindorf
The Stuttgarter Weindorf (Stuttgart Wine Village) pops up for about 12 days in late summer each year, inviting locals and tourists alike to explore the many wine varietals made locally and afar. There are more than 30 winemakers on hand to offer samples of their delicious vino, plus some snack vendors selling bites to eat. Be sure to try some of the regional specialties from Wuerttemberg and Baden during your visit to the village. There are also guided wine tastings, food pairing tutorials, family activities and live music performances included as part of the events.
Hamburger Fischmarkt
Each July, the famous Hamburger Fischmarkt comes to Stuttgart. Try a wide variety of delicious dishes from the sea during this event, including crispy breaded fish, fish on a spit or fish in bread rolls. Wash it all down with a cold beer while listening to some live music played by local bands.
Markthalle Stuttgart
One of the highlights of the city center is Markthalle Stuttgart. This beautiful building hosts a vast food market featuring dozens of vendor booths. Search through the market to discover local foods and produce, delicious wines, internationally sourced spices, traditional delicatessens, fresh-baked pastries and much more. Head upstairs to eat at the Markthalle restaurant and view the action going on in the market below from the upper gallery.
Cultural Events
While Stuttgart is proud of its German culture, it also welcomes cultures from around the globe. In fact, the residents of Stuttgart hail from about 170 different countries, adding a very diverse, multicultural feel to this city. The following are some of the top cultural events in Stuttgart each year.
Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest
The Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest (also known as the Stuttgart Spring Festival) is one of the biggest annual festivals in Stuttgart. It's held in April and May at Cannstatter Wasen, a traditional fairground located in the Bad Cannstatt district of the city. After a long winter, the city comes alive with activity during this spring event. Enjoy the fun fair rides, play a few carnival games, sip from a stein in the beer tents and visit the snack stalls as you explore this family-friendly festival.
Summer Festival of Cultures
The Summer Festival of Cultures (often just called the Stuttgart Summer Festival) is held over the course of four days each summer. It takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Schlossplatz and the adjacent area around the Eckensee lake. Over 500,000 visitors attend live music and entertainment performances and stroll around the grounds to shop at vendor stalls and sample delicious fare from around the region.
Cannstatter Volksfest
One of the biggest annual Stuttgart events is Cannstatter Volksfest (also known as the Stuttgart Beer Festival). This three-week festival takes place at the Cannstatter Wasen in late September and early October. It's like Stuttgart's own Oktoberfest, complete with beer tents, fair rides, local culinary treats and family-friendly activities. One of the highlights is the Volksfest Parade held on the first Sunday of the festival.
Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt
Schlossplatz, Schillerplatz, Karlsplatz, and Marktplatz
Enjoy one of Europe's oldest and largest Christmas markets at the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt. Running from late November through late December each year, this market features beautifully lit vendor stalls and a massive Christmas tree. Shop for holiday gifts, including home goods, food and clothing, at this festive annual event.
The gorgeous surroundings and stunning architecture in Stuttgart make for a magical and memorable visit. If you want to enjoy some of the local flavor in this German city, consider adding a few of these exciting events in Stuttgart to your travel itinerary.