PROGRAMME 2026

XVI Pärnu Music Festival

The world meets in Pärnu!

8–18 July 2026

Welcome to the Pärnu Music Festival – Estonia’s summer-camp for the musical architects of tomorrow.  

World-famous top soloists, a spectacular concert programme, and conductors Paavo Järvi, Neeme Järvi and Kristjan Järvi will bring unforgettable musical experiences to Pärnu from 8–18 July 2026.

The world premieres of new works by Estonian composers heard from the Pärnu Music Festival stage attract growing international attention every year. An outstanding and varied programme of classical masterpieces has placed the festival among Europe’s most important summer classical music festivals. In 2026, Paavo Järvi will, for the first time, launch a young talents programme within the festival, presenting brilliant rising soloists alongside top international artists and offering them the opportunity for a first major stage debut.

Paavo Järvi: “I see my job more as a facilitator of composers and young musicians that I can help. Because at one point somebody helped me. Everybody needs someone to open the door and it’s my turn now.”

The Pärnu Music Festival loves Pärnu — a beautiful pearl on the Baltic Sea, where sandy beaches and parks, cafés and summer resort create a unique atmosphere. For the 16th year in a row, the festival fills Pärnu’s acclaimed concert hall with music for eleven days. After the concert, a walk by the sea — with midsummer evenings still bright — is inspiring, refreshing, and energising.

Paavo Järvi, photo: Kaupo Kikkas

Monday, 06 July at 8:00 PM

St John’s Church, Tallinn

Järvi Academy Sinfonietta
Järvi Academy Conductors
Programme: works from the first phase of the conducting courses

Tuesday, 07 July at 5:00 PM

Arvo Pärt Centre

Järvi Academy Sinfonietta
Järvi Academy Conductors
Programme: works from the first phase of the conducting courses

Tuesday, 07 July at 8:00 PM

Arvo Pärt Centre

Järvi Academy Sinfonietta
Järvi Academy Conductors
Programme: works from the first phase of the conducting courses

Wednesday, 08 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Neeme Järvi
Järvi Academy Youth Symphony Orchestra
Eller Koit
Dvořák In Nature’s Realm, Op. 91
Smetana The Moldau
Eller Twilight

Thursday, 09 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Järvi Academy Sinfonietta
Järvi Academy Conductors
Programme: works from the first phase of the conducting courses

Friday, 10 July at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Kristjan Järvi
Nordic Pulse Orchestra
Programme: ‘Solstice’, curated by Kristjan Järvi

Friday, 10 July at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Kristjan Järvi
Nordic Pulse Orchestra
Programme: ‘Solstice’, curated by Kristjan Järvi

Saturday, 11 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Conductor Paavo Järvi
Amihai Grosz (viola)
Estonian Festival Orchestra

Sunday, 12 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Conductor Paavo Järvi
Kristine Balanas (violin)
Margarita Balanas (cello)
Estonian Festival Orchestra

Monday, 13 July at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM (free concerts) and 8:30 PM

Eliisabeti kirik

Programme: selected participants from the Järvi Academy instrumental courses perform works honed during the course. The evening programme is put together in collaboration with the faculty.

Monday, 13 July at 7:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Instrument Fund Soloists
Hans Christian Aavik
Programme: curated by Hans Christian Aavik, showcasing rare instruments from the Estonian Instrument Fund

Monday, 13 July at 10:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Henri Christofer Aavik
Pärnu City Orchestra
Programme: Estonian music curated by Henri Christofer Aavik

Tuesday, 14 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Conductor Paavo Järvi
Estonian Festival Orchestra
Three young rising stars from around the world, selected by Paavo Järvi, will…

Wednesday, 15 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Järvi Academy Conductors
Järvi Academy Youth Symphony Orchestra
Pärnu City Orchestra
Programme: second-phase programme of the Järvi Academy

Thursday, 16 July at 2:00 PM

Villa Ammende

There will be an annual children’s concert, where children can get to know different instruments and try some of them in…

Thursday, 16 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Musicians of the Estonian Festival Orchestra
Programme: a showcase of the musicians of the Estonian Festival Orchestra, featuring more than 25 performers…

Friday, 17 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Conductor Paavo Järvi
Rudolf Buchbinder (piano)
Estonian Festival Orchestra

Saturday, 18 July at 8:00 PM

Pärnu Concert Hall

Conductor Paavo Järvi
Alice Sara Ott (piano)
Estonian Festival Orchestra