Culture Calendar: October 2026
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE
Festival of Lights. Photo: Festival of Lights.
Ready to feel inspired this autumn? October is filled with an exciting range of wonderful events across the DACH region. From film festivals to concerts, theatre and light shows, this month promises to be great fun.
Zurich Film Festival, Zurich (24 September – 4 October)
The Zurich Film Festival returns for its 22nd edition, bringing filmmakers, actors and international guests together to celebrate the art of cinema. Alongside eagerly anticipated premieres and major competitions, the festival offers talks, industry events and its popular ZFF Masters. This year’s honourees include Martin McDonagh and Richard Linklater, making it another must-attend for film fans.
Beaks B72, Waves Vienna. Photo: Emanuel Ullmann
Waves Vienna, Vienna (1 – 3 October)
Taking place around Vienna’s Gürtel area, this club and showcase festival presents emerging international and Austrian artists for three days of live music. From alternative and electronic sounds to rock and experimental acts, the programme offers plenty to discover, while the accompanying conference creates a space for exchange, networking and discussion within Europe’s music industry.
Austrian Heartbeats Reception, Waves Vienna. Photo: Hannah Toegel
Heinrich Schütz Musikfest, Dresden | Gera | Bad Köstritz | Weißenfels | Zeitz (2 – 11 October)
The Heinrich Schütz Musikfest once again brings music to historic locations associated with the celebrated German composer. The 2026 theme is ‘Spurensuche. Anstoß und Aufbruch’ (Searching for Traces. Impulse and New Beginnings) and audiences are invited to explore a varied programme that connects the music of Heinrich Schütz with new perspectives and contemporary interpretations.
ORF Long Night of Museums, Austria (3 October)
On this special day, museums and galleries across Austria open their doors from 6pm until midnight. One ticket gives visitors access to participating venues, with special programmes ranging from guided tours and workshops to readings, music, film screenings and artist talks. Now in its 26th edition, the Long Night of Museums offers a captivating way to experience art and culture after dark.
ORF Long Night of Museums, Austria. Photo: Hans Leitner
FriScènes Theatre Festival, Fribourg (3 – 10 October)
Returning for its 19th edition, FriScènes brings together amateur and professional theatre in Fribourg. Founded in 2008 and run by a team of passionate volunteers, the festival creates a welcoming space for creativity and exchange, giving younger performers the opportunity to encounter the professional theatre world while inviting audiences to discover a varied programme of performances.
Festival of Lights, Berlin (9 – 18 October)
Berlin will once again become a spectacular canvas for light art as the Festival of Lights celebrates this year’s edition. Under the theme ‘Colours of Love’, famous landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and the TV Tower will be transformed through colourful projections and installations combining light, art and music. Ten magical evenings offer plenty of opportunities to see the German capital in a whole new light.
Festival of Lights. Photo: Festival of Lights.
Jazz & The City, Salzburg (15 – 18 October)
For four days, Salzburg’s historic old town becomes a stage for jazz, world and electronic music. International and Austrian artists perform in locations across the city, from churches and squares to intimate venues, while workshops and more experimental formats add to the programme. Best of all, admission to the festival is free.
Rendez-vous Bundesplatz, Bern (17 October – 21 November)
For its 16th edition, Rendez-vous Bundesplatz transforms the façade of Bern’s Federal Palace into a spectacular world of light and sound. Entitled ‘Pure Nature’, this year’s show turns the building into a living ecosystem, taking audiences through the seasons while exploring the beauty and fragile diversity of Swiss nature. Three free performances take place every evening at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.
Viennale Film Festival. Photo: Viennale Film Festival
Viennale Film Festival, Vienna (22 October – 3 November)
Austria’s most important international film event returns for its 64th edition, transforming Vienna into a meeting point for filmmakers and cinephiles from around the world. Taking place in some of the city’s most beautiful cinemas, the Viennale presents a carefully curated selection of contemporary international and Austrian cinema alongside retrospectives and special programmes.
Photo: Unsplash
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