Cultural Events

In the last years the cultural life in Meran and surroundings has become diverse and innovative, with an active schedule of interesting and always new events! This full spectrum of events on offer ranges from music festivals like the renowned jazz weeks of LanaLive to the elegant “Soirée” evenings held in the Tyrol Castle, which are dedicated to Medieval and Renaissance music. It also extends from the international cabaret festival of Naturns to Meran Classic, which is today considered one of the most renowned classical music events in Europe, with leading orchestras and ensembles from all over the world performing at the festival. Still, the varied and high quality cultural programme of Meran and surroundings continues to grow and only gets better year after year.

Fascinating Ice Music and Ice Architecture
On the glacier in the high alpine valley of Schnals/Val Senales, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see musical instruments carved and shaped from ice and listen to the special music they produce at 3,200 meters above sea-level. more

5th April 2010
Like every year the popular traditional Haflinger horse race will take place at the Maia Racecourse of Merano. This event marks the beginning of the new local racing season of the Maia racecourse. Principal performers are the famous Haflinger ponies named after Hafling, a small village next to Merano.
In addition to the different races an attractive supporting program will take place. Already in the morning you can spectate at a Haflinger procession in the centre of Meran, accompanied by traditional music bands. But there is also a diversified entertainment programm between one and the other race: western-riding, a trotting-race and a race of three-year stallions will entertain you. more

08.05.-27.05.10
Poeple say that Lana is an unusually lively community. But „it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing“, and the LanaLive 10 Festival is just the thing. For more than a week Lana becomes the Jazz capital of South Tyrol. The artists and venues have been chosen with care to ensure a rich and varied programme. From May 08th to May 27th 2010 the music will swing in shady guesthouse gardens, under blossoming trees and at the open-air concert at the community square. more 

International street artists festival
From 11th to 13th June 2010 the International street artists festival „Asphaltart“ takes place in the streets of Merano, hundreds of street artists from all over the world will meet in the city centre and transform the streets and squares into a stage of magic moments. more

28th edition from 25th June – 4th July 2010
The well known International Jazz Festival „Südtirol Jazz Festival Alto Adige“ takes places for the 28th year. The traditional and at the same time modern music of the performing artists is as diverse as the stages on which the concerts are held. Open air settings provide spectacular backdrops such as mountain pastures, old farmhouses, medieval lanes and streets. The repertoire of the festival has something for everyone. Visitors to the more traditional concerts can enjoy the historical theatre hall, sporty music fans can hike up to 2.500 m above sea level to the special high alpine concert. The opening of the International Jazz Festival in 2010 takes place on the spectacular castle of Sigmundskron. more

June-August 2009
The Soirees in the Castle of Tirol are among the most popular summer events in South Tirol. The soirees were introduced in 1990, the 850th anniversary of the castle. The outstanding performances of medieval and Renaissance music come with a rich historical support programme and are set against the background of the impressive Castle, making it’s medieval spirit come alive. more

From the 4th to the 11th of July, during the Schenna Vintage Car Rallye, the village of Schenna again becomes a living vintage car museum. About 120 vintage cars cross the beautiful landscape of South Tyrol and bring a wonderful spectacle to the villages. more

The Merano Music Festival was introduced in 1986 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the renowned spa town Merano. From the very beginning the festival set the highest artistic standards and so the Merano Music Festival quickly rose to great fame, making it a point of reference among Europe's festivals. more

On 26th September 2010
The grand prix of Merano Forst takes place since 1935, it is certainly the highlight of the racing season at the Maia Racecourse of Merano. The highlight of this event is the 5000m steeplechase where competitors from all over the world converge to race in one of the most beautiful race courses in North Italy. The event is linked with the National Lottery and the European Lottery. Therefore even the price of the first steeplechase run was endowed incredibly high (1 million of Lire, nowadays comparable to more then 1 million Euro), and so the Grand Prix of Merano Forst entered the history of horse races as „The Million’s Race“. more

Traditional fair with music in the lanes of Merano
15th-17th Octobre 2010
The Merano grape festival is one of the most popular harvest celebrations in the country. Every year thousands of locals and guests visit the city at the Passiria river at the end of Octobre to take part in the festival and enjoy its huge supporting programme. more