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My Gastein experience
July 2 - August 30, 2026
An international festival in harmony with nature
sommer.frische.kunst. in Bad Gastein
Every summer, Bad Gastein is transformed into a stage for contemporary art from all over the world. The international art festival sommer.frische.kunst. brings together artists, collectors, gallery owners and art lovers in the imposing Alpine scenery of the Gastein Valley.
Historic grand hotels, spectacular mountain landscapes and extraordinary locations become exhibition spaces for modern art, installations and creative experiments.
The festival is one of the most exciting art festivals in Austria and attracts visitors from all over Europe to Bad Gastein in Salzburger Land every year.
Topic 2026
Between Waters: Circulation, Reflection and Imagination
In summer 2026, sommer.frische.kunst. is deliberately looking ahead: to new artistic spaces, new encounters and a program that will once again turn Bad Gastein into an extraordinary stage for contemporary art.The international artist-in-residence program at the Kraftwerk, accompanied by a top-class jury and with a clear focus on the further international development of sommer.frische.kunst. under the direction of festival director Andrea von Goetz, is a strong sign of this new departure .
The arrival of the artists-in-residence on June 11, 2026 marks the beginning of a summer dedicated to the life-giving power, movement and imagery of water under the title Between Waters: Circulation, Reflection and Imagination .
The Spring Park also marks a special new beginning this year. Its redesign creates the vision of a place that will develop into a lively pleasure garden in the coming years : an atmospheric meeting place where art, nature and the special energy of Bad Gastein come together.
Art, culture and encounters
Program 2026
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Experience contemporary art in the Alps
During the festival, you will discover contemporary art in extraordinary places. Exhibitions take place not only in galleries, but also in historic buildings, hotels, public spaces and in nature.
This special combination of Alpine landscape, Belle Époque architecture and modern art makes the art festival in Bad Gastein unique.
Many of the invited artists work directly on site during their stay. Their works are created in close interaction with the surroundings and the people in the valley.
Bad Gastein itself becomes a gallery.
Art vacation in Bad Gastein
The art festival can be ideally combined with a summer vacation in the Gastein Valley. Between exhibitions and events , visitors can enjoy hikes in the Gastein mountains, relaxing hours in the thermal baths, regional cuisine in Salzburger Land and the special atmosphere of Bad Gastein.
The result is a unique mix of nature, relaxation and art.
Art tradition in Gastein
Bad Gastein in particular has a long history as a place of inspiration for artists, writers and thinkers.
The famous spa resort attracted numerous creative personalities as early as the 19th century. During the historic summer retreat , guests from all over Europe spent several weeks or months in the Alps - including many artists and intellectuals who found inspiration here.
This tradition lives on today in the art festival sommer.frische.kunst. International artists work on site during their stay in Bad Gastein and are inspired by the special landscape, architecture and history of the place.
The festival thus combines the historical cultural history of Bad Gastein with new artistic positions and international perspectives.
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