Graz Spring Festival – Austria 2026

Background & History

• Origins: Founded in 2001, the Graz Spring Festival emerged to celebrate and elevate electronic music and art, capitalizing on the global rise of digital music technologies at the turn of the millennium.
• Cultural Significance: It serves as a platform for electronic music and art, blending underground roots with mainstream appeal, and is Austria’s largest festival of its kind, fostering both local and international talent.
• Evolution: From a niche event, it has grown into a major European festival, attracting 50,000+ attendees annually, with 60% of its acts being Austrian, showcasing Styria’s contribution to global music culture.
• Global Impact: The festival has launched careers of Austrian artists like Kruder & Dorfmeister onto international stages, while hosting global acts like The Streets, reinforcing Graz as a hub for electronic music innovation.
• Innovation: Known for integrating music with lectures, workshops, and discussions on pop culture and technology, it bridges artistic creativity with intellectual discourse.
• Recognition: Awarded as a top European festival by industry bodies like the European Festival Association for its unique city-wide format and cultural contributions since 2001.
• Community Role: Boosts Graz’s economy by 10–12% during the festival, supports local artists, and promotes the city’s UNESCO City of Design status through its creative programming.

Event Highlights

• Main Performances: Features 30+ electronic music acts across genres (techno, house, drum and bass), including headliners like The Streets feat. Mike Skinner (UK, live), VTSS (Poland, techno), and Acid Pauli (Germany, deep house).
• Local Talent: Showcases Austrian artists like Mollono.Bass & MaZ’N (live), Anna Ullrich (techno), and LeBlanc (house), highlighting Styria’s vibrant electronic scene.
• Unique Venues: Performances in diverse settings like the Uhrturm (Clock Tower), Schlossberg mountain caves, Augarten Park, and pop-up guerrilla stages in Graz’s old town.
• Art Installations: Multimedia exhibits, including light projections and digital art by collectives like Hermetica, displayed in warehouses and public squares, blending music with visual storytelling.
• Workshops and Talks: Daily sessions (June 17–21) on electronic music production, DJing, and cultural trends, led by artists and experts at venues like Dom im Berg, free with festival pass.
• Special Traditions: The “Spring Awakening” opening party on June 17 at Augarten Park, featuring live electronic sets and street food, kicks off the festival with a communal vibe.
• Unique Attractions: Guerrilla-style performances in unexpected locations like Herrengasse marketplaces, plus afterparties in clubs like PPC and Postgarage until 4:00 AM.
• Family-Friendly Activities: Daytime events at Stadtpark include kid-friendly music workshops and interactive art stations, fostering creativity for all ages.

Date & Duration

• Dates: June 17 – June 21, 2026 (projected based on 2025’s June 18–22 schedule, aligned with summer solstice festivities).
• Duration: 5 days, with main events daily from 14:00 to 04:00, peaking on weekend nights (June 19–20).
• Key Schedule: Opening party on June 17, main stage concerts June 18–20, closing event at Schlossberg on June 21.

Venue / Location

• City: Graz, Styria’s capital, Austria, a UNESCO City of Design known for its medieval old town and modern architecture.
• Main Venues: Uhrturm for main stage concerts, Dom im Berg (mountain cave venue) for techno sets, Augarten Park for daytime events, and Herrengasse for pop-up stages.
• Notable Areas: Schlossberg hill for panoramic closing parties, Kunsthaus Graz for art installations, and Postgarage for late-night club events.
• Google Maps Address: Uhrturm, Schlossberg, 8010 Graz, Austria (47.0753° N, 15.4375° E) – central point for main stage and festival hub.

Ticket Information

• Ticket Prices (USD): Day tickets $33–$55 USD (€30–€50); 5-day festival pass $132–$165 USD (€120–€150); VIP pass $220–$275 USD (€200–€250).
• Purchase Methods: Online via springfestival.at, at Graz Tourist Information (Herrengasse 16), or on-site at venue ticket booths (open 12:00–22:00 daily).
• Minimum Pricing: $33 USD (€30, single-day ticket for weekday events).
• Maximum Pricing: $275 USD (€250, VIP festival pass with premium access).
• Festival Pass: Grants access to all concerts, workshops, and art installations; early bird passes ($110 USD, €100) available until March 2026.
• VIP Options: Includes front-stage access, exclusive lounge at Uhrturm, and meet-and-greets with artists like Dominik Eulberg, plus priority entry to club afterparties.
• Concessions: Discounted day tickets ($22 USD, €20) for students and seniors, available online with ID verification.
• Note: No lottery system; early booking advised for VIP passes and club events due to limited capacity.

Contact Information

• Email: hello@springfestival.at (general inquiries); press@springfestival.at (media inquiries).
• Phone: +43 316 8075 0 (Graz Tourist Information, English/German, 10:00–18:00 daily).
• Website: https://springfestival.at (lineup, tickets, timetable).
• Social Media: @springfestivalgraz (Instagram, Facebook, X); @SpringFestivalAT (Vimeo, SoundCloud for artist mixes).
• Key Staff: Festival coordinator via hello@springfestival.at; overseen by Graz Tourism and local cultural boards.
• Press/Volunteers: Press passes via press@springfestival.at; volunteer applications (stage crew, ticketing) via hello@springfestival.at, opening February 2026.
• Response Time: 24–48 hours for email; instant support via website live chat (10:00–18:00).
• Language Support: English, German, limited French and Spanish for international visitors.

Cultural Experience

• Musical Heritage: Celebrates 25 years of electronic music culture, from techno’s underground roots to mainstream genres, with live sets blending Austrian folk influences and global beats.
• Artistic Fusion: Digital art installations, like light projections on Kunsthaus Graz, merge with music, reflecting Graz’s UNESCO design ethos and modern creativity.
• Local Customs: Attendees join locals in toasting with Styrian wine at Schlossberg events, a nod to Austria’s convivial “Gemütlichkeit” culture.
• Costumes and Vibe: Festivalgoers wear vibrant, festival-chic attire (neon, bohemian), while artists like Camion Bazar perform in LED-lit outfits, enhancing the electronic aesthetic.
• International Dialogue: The festival fosters cross-cultural exchange, with acts like JPattersson (Germany) and Iorie (Austria) blending global sounds, from Afrobeat to ambient techno.
• Community Engagement: Workshops on music production and DJing, led by artists like Kaufmann, empower local youth to engage with Graz’s electronic scene.

Food & Drinks

• Schnitzel Burger: A Styrian twist on Wiener schnitzel, served in a bun with cranberry sauce at Herrengasse food stalls ($6–$9 USD).
• Käsespätzle: Cheesy egg noodles with crispy onions, a regional favorite at Augarten Park ($5–$8 USD).
• Styrian Wine: Local Sauvignon Blanc and Schilcher rosé, poured at Schlossberg bars ($4–$7 USD per glass).
• Apfelstrudel: Traditional apple strudel with vanilla sauce, sold at city center markets ($3–$5 USD).
• Pumpkin Seed Treats: Styrian specialties like pumpkin seed ice cream and brittle, available at pop-up stands ($2–$4 USD).
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Almdudler (herbal soda) and organic elderflower juice at family zones ($2–$3 USD).

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Graz Airport (GRZ, 10 km from city center), with flights from Vienna, Berlin, and Istanbul; shuttle to Graz ($5 USD, 20 minutes).
• Public Transport: Trams (lines 3, 6) to Uhrturm from Graz Hauptbahnhof ($2.50 USD, 10 minutes); free festival shuttle buses between venues on June 19–20.
• Trains: From Vienna to Graz (2.5 hours, $15–$30 USD via ÖBB); Hauptbahnhof is a 15-minute walk to Republic Square.
• Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis from GRZ to city center ($20–$30 USD); Uber/Bolt for local rides ($5–$10 USD).
• Parking: Paid lots at Schlossberg garage ($10–$15 USD/day); free P+R at Stadion Graz-Liebenau with festival shuttle.
• Walking: Graz’s compact old town allows 5–15 minute walks between venues like Uhrturm, Kunsthaus, and Augarten Park.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Hotel Wiesler (city center, art-deco, river views, $150–$250 USD/night).
• Mid-Range: NH Graz City (near Uhrturm, modern, $90–$140 USD/night); Hotel Daniel (near Hauptbahnhof, $80–$120 USD/night).
• Budget: A&O Hostel Graz (near train station, dorm beds, $25–$45 USD/night); Airbnb lofts in old town ($50–$80 USD/night).
• Boutique: Augarten Art Hotel (art-focused, near park, $100–$160 USD/night); Kai 36 (design hotel, $110–$170 USD/night).
• Rural Stays: Gasthof Lösch (15 km from Graz, traditional inn, $60–$100 USD/night).
• Camping: Camping Süd Graz (10 km from center, tent sites, $20–$35 USD/night, shuttle to festival).