26th Alpine Folk Music Competition / Herma Haselsteiner Prize
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Innsbruck becomes a hub for young folk music
Every two years, Innsbruck becomes the centre of young Alpine folk music: from 22 to 25 October 2026, the 26th Alpine Folk Music Competition/Herma Haselsteiner Prize will take place at Congress Innsbruck. Over 700 young musicians and singers from Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol and Switzerland will come together to showcase their talents and exchange ideas with like-minded people from across the Alpine region.
The competition is one of the most important international competitions for Alpine folk music and has been a fixture on the young folk music scene for decades. During the public auditions on Friday and Saturday, the performances of the young musicians and singers will be judged by an expert jury comprising folk music specialists from across the Alpine region. The highlight of the weekend is the gala evening featuring the presentation of the Herma Haselsteiner Prizes.
However, the Alpine Folk Music Competition/Herma Haselsteiner Prize is far more than just a competition. The extensive supporting programme invites participants, visitors and folk music enthusiasts to listen, join in the celebrations and meet one another. Highlights include the folk dance festival, ‘Gsungen & Gspielt’ at the Musikantenhoangarte, the international trade fair ‘Rund um die Volksmusik’, listening stations featuring recordings from 50 years of the competition, and ‘Aufg’horcht in Innsbruck’.
23 October: Folk dance festival with the Südtiroler 6er Musig and the Saitenstraßen Musi from Bavaria (2024 Herma Haselsteiner Prize winners)
24 October: Gala evening – the highlight of the Alpine Folk Music Competition
25 October: Festive service – Jesuit Church
22–24 October: International trade fair “All About Folk Music”
24 October: Aufg’horcht – Folk music takes over the town!
25 October: Aufg’horcht – Folk music morning pint
