Mahler Jihlava 2026 – Music of Thousands

The international music festival Mahler Jihlava – Music of Thousands takes place in 2026 in its 24th season, running from May 10 to September 11. The festival connects the work of Gustav Mahler with the places where the composer spent his childhood and youth – primarily Jihlava and Kaliště near Humpolec, his birthplace. The festival's dramatic focus is Mahler's compositions and the relationship between Czech and Austrian musical culture. Concerts take place in the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, the Gothic hall of Jihlava Town Hall, the House of Culture and Trade Unions, the Horácké Theatre, Gustav Mahler Park, and other venues; part of the programme is held in Kaliště, Nová Říše, and other municipalities in the Vysočina region and Lower Austria. The programme includes concerts, theatrical performances, choir performances, screenings of documentary films on Mahler themes, lectures, and the traditional planting of roses in the Mahler rose garden in Kaliště. The festival is organized by the civic association MAHLER 2000 – the Gustav Mahler Society – and is part of Jihlava's Family Silver initiative. The partner festival in Austria is Allegro Vivo Festival. The 2026 season is held under the patronage of the Chairman of the Senate of the Czech Parliament Miloš Vystrčil, Minister of Culture Martin Baxa, Governor of the Vysočina Region Martin Kukla, and Mayor of Jihlava Petr Ryška.