Take a seat! Collab am Hof is on in the city

A month-long celebration of life in bloom between the Haus der Musik, Hofburg and the Folk Art Museum. Collab am Hof brings theater, dance, music and a colorful potpourri of events between flowers and concrete.

There are places in every city that serve no higher purpose than to lead to other, more interesting places. Transitional spaces that seem empty and have no identity of their own - liminal spaces, as they are called in English. The project coll:b (pronounced collab) am Hof has taken on such a place in Innsbruck with great ingenuity and literally made it blossom. Between the House of Music, Hofburg Palace and the Folk Art Museum, where until recently grey asphalt and haste prevailed, colorful seating, plants and events now dominate, inviting people to stand still or even join in.

Opening with a surprise effect

At the opening ceremony on September 20, 2025, it quickly became clear what unexpected qualities were hidden here. The balmy summer evening was literally predestined for lounging in the deckchairs, draping oneself on the warm walls or making use of the colorful seating. Due to the crowds, the table tennis tables were also quickly taken up. Against the mighty backdrop of the Hofburg, the local band Pryzma played, their sound amplified by the tall buildings all around. Adults relaxed and chatted over a cool drink, children ran around and I spontaneously met half a dozen old friends within a few minutes. If you're looking for community, this is the place to be.

While the opening words from the organizers and the songs from Pryzma alternated, it quickly became clear that playing together on the square is taken very literally here. Suddenly, a single musician, armed with a guitar, stood on one of the tables and sang loudly against the expected course of events. After a bit of guesswork as to what would happen next, he continued playing with the band a little later. Three dancers added a visual spectacle to the acoustic one, and after Pryzma, the DJs took over with Surina and Mariola, the mixing desk unpretentiously set up on a table tennis table. The audience had a free choice: watch the hustle and bustle in comfort or take over the space provided with dance and acrobatics. I had never seen juggling with walking sticks before that day, but you never stop learning.

Fresh Collaboration

Collab am Hofthe project behind the colorful hustle and bustle, was created especially for this year's series of events. Innsbruck Tourism, the Tyrolean State Museums, various artists and organizations are among those involved, providing the audience with fresh ideas. There are no admission tickets, no obligation to consume and all interested parties are welcome. In addition to the outdoor courtyard - the venue for the opening - the inner courtyard will also be used: the covered cloister of the Folk Art Museum, which can otherwise only be seen with a ticket.

The program

Every Thursday to Sunday for a month, Collab am Hof serves up music, movement, exciting stories and an opportunity to meet old and new friends. On offer are yoga, jazz, open-air cinema, dreaming together, sword art, tango, swing, theater and much more. You can find the entire program here.

Collab am Hof takes place from September 18 to October 18, 2025, always Thursday to Sunday. Changes due to bad weather will be announced via social media. All events are free of charge and free of consumption. (without obligation to consume)

Images, unless otherwise indicated: Theresa Kirchmair