Festivals near Stuttgart

In Stuttgart, the festival that sets the tone is Jazz Open: every summer the Schlossplatz and the courtyard of the Old Castle turn into open-air stages where jazz meets soul and world-class voices, with more intimate nights carried by Jazzopen Stuttgart. Yet the city on the Neckar is more than its standards: as the cradle of German rap, it holds on to a stubborn hip-hop scene, inherited from its local pioneers, that still runs through its clubs and basements.

That spirit carries over into pop through About Pop, a showcase for today's music, while Kessel Festival takes over the riverbanks and former industrial grounds of the Swabian "cauldron" — the bowl-shaped valley that gave the city its nickname. Between urban open airs and neighbourhood gatherings, Stuttgart cultivates an eclecticism all its own. FestT computes the FestiScore, the match between each festival's line-up and your favourite artists, and keeps dates and ticketing always up to date.