Gala Concert in the Zwinger Palace Dresden

The Wallpavillon in the Zwinger

The Wallpavillon, or Rampart Pavilion, is one of the Zwinger's most ornate buildings, crowned by a statue of Hercules and decorated with sculptures by Balthasar Permoser. The Zwinger was built between 1710 and 1728 for Augustus the Strong as a setting for court festivals, so hearing music here is close to the purpose for which it was designed.

Inside, the pavilion holds an intimate concert hall with baroque ceilings and a warm atmosphere. If you are searching for Zwinger concert tickets in Dresden, this is the chamber-music experience, with a small audience close to the players rather than a large hall.

The orchestra and the programmes

The gala concert is performed by a chamber orchestra with five to seven soloists, and each date has its own programme. You may hear Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik, a Waltz Dreams evening, a Best of Opera selection with famous arias, or romantic music, and in December the Advent and Christmas concerts.

Dresden is a city of music, the home of the Saxon State Orchestra, the Semperoper and a famous boys' choir, and a gala concert in Dresden is a natural part of any trip. Check the programme for your chosen date in the booking panel.

Seats, doors and practical details

Your ticket is in Category I, with free seating: you choose any seat from the fourth row to the back. Doors open 60 minutes before a concert at 5 pm and 30 minutes before a concert at 7:30 pm, so arrive early to pick your place. The cloakroom is included, and toilet fees are covered.

The Wallpavillon and the toilets are reached by stairs and are not suitable for wheelchair users. Video recording is not allowed, and pets are not permitted. Concerts in summer can feel warm because the historic pavilion has no air conditioning, so wear light layers.

Getting there and making an evening of it

To get to the Zwinger concert, walk from the Semperoper or the Frauenkirche in about ten minutes, or take a tram to the Postplatz stop beside the palace. The concert entrance is shown on your voucher after booking. Bring your passport or ID card, which is checked on entry.

The best time to visit for a full evening is to arrive early, walk through the illuminated Zwinger courtyard and Theaterplatz, and have dinner in the Old Town afterwards. For an evening at 5 pm you may have time for a museum visit or a walk on Brühl's Terrace beforehand.