Right at the start on February 21, 2026, a multi-talented artist will give you goose bumps: bandoneonist Nico Kaiser will open the three-week festival with his own tango project “ViTa MusicA” in the Evangelische Auferstehungskirche. On the second opening night, Julia Lacherstorfer will take to the stage together with her acclaimed band Alma. Deeply rooted in Austrian musical tradition, Alma creates an open, fresh sound.
Otto Lechner was the inspiration for the festival's founding 27 years ago, and this year he will be performing at the festival several times—for example, together with Robin Gillard and the versatile Ramona Kasheer as part of their touching John Lennon tribute (March 5, 2026, at Porgy & Bess). Krzysztof Dobrek will host the closing evening in Vienna with various musical guests on March 14, 2026, at the Stadtsaal.
The international highlight of the festival: the renowned German festival “Akkordeonale” celebrates a guest performance in Vienna. Musicians from Scotland, Sardinia, Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain will come together for one evening.
Not only the music, but also the venues themselves take center stage: guided tours, talks, and anecdotes open the doors to locations such as the Hofburg Chapel, Porgy & Bess, Sargfabrik, Radiokulturhaus, Theater Akzent, and many more—revealing their own unique histories.