Fill In Festival 2027 – Saarbrücken, Germany

Overview

fill in – International Jazz Festival Saar is the jazz festival in the Saar-Lor-Lux region, bringing world-class jazz to the greater SaarLorLux area where Germany, France, and Luxembourg meet. Over three days at the end of June, the festival presents all facets of the genre at the E-Werk on the Saarterrassen in Saarbrücken and celebrates jazz as a living, border-crossing art form.

Organized by K8 Institut für strategische Ästhetik gGmbH based at Keplerstraße 3-5, 66117 Saarbrücken, fill in brings legends and world stars of jazz as well as up-and-coming talents to Saarbrücken. The festival is designed as a journey through the many worlds of jazz, from soul and Caribbean-infused modern jazz to Nordic sounds, Swedish Mardi Gras, Nuevo Flamenco, and legends of fusion.

Beyond the main programme, fill in expands across the region with special formats that take jazz back to the streets, bars, lakes, and even to Berlin. The festival’s ethos is inclusive and open, with free access for young audiences and a strong emphasis on community celebration.

What Makes This Event Special

SaarLorLux Border Region Identity: As the only international jazz festival in the Saar-Lor-Lux region, fill in reflects the cultural melting pot of Saarbrücken, drawing audiences from Germany, France, and Luxembourg and programming artists who themselves blend traditions.

Legends And World Stars Meet Up-And-Coming Talents: Each edition balances emotional and elegant soul, traditional Caribbean meets modern jazz, unique voices with Nordic sound, and legendary fusion acts, ensuring both discovery and celebration.

Multi-Location Festival Universe: The main programme at E-Werk is complemented by fill in AVENUE as a colourful street festival bringing jazz back to the streets in Quartier am Eurobahnhof, fill in BARS and Clubs transforming St. Johanner Markt into a jazz club for one evening, fill in at Bostalsee as open-air at Lake Bostal, and presentations in Berlin and St. Ingbert.

Free Access For Young Generation: Admission is completely free up to the age of 18. A free ticket must still be reserved online, and parents may bring children from infancy provided they wear suitable hearing protection, making jazz genuinely intergenerational.

Intimate But World-Class Production: The E-Werk on the Saarterrassen offers industrial charm with modern production, while the German-French Garden historically provided open-air garden setting. When weather is challenging, the festival moves to E-Werk with timely announcements via media and social channels.

Community Street Festival Spirit: fill in AVENUE with artists such as GIU celebrates jazz together in alleyways in front of old bus depot, bringing it back to streets and creating a street party atmosphere that opens the festival.

Lineup / Featured Artists

The full lineup for 2027 will be announced closer to the season, but recent programmes show the curatorial breadth expected for 2027.

Main Stage Evenings At E-Werk:

• Grégory Privat: Traditional Caribbean music meets modern jazz. Born on Martinique, Privat grew up in musical family in Saint-Joseph and blends Caribbean tradition with contemporary improvisation.
• Mario Biondi – This Is What You Are 20th Anniversary: Emotional and elegant soul with deep baritone voice, celebrating two decades of soul-jazz crossover.
• Rebekka Bakken: Unique voice meets Nordic sound. Norwegian singer and songwriter with three-octave range who prefers that music is heard and felt rather than talked about.
• Louisiana Avenue: Swedish Mardi Gras – a colourful jazz party. Despite distance from New Orleans, music sounds as if directly from French Quarter, soaked with funk and carnival energy.
• Antonio Lizana: Nuevo Flamenco meets jazz – music for the senses, combining Andalusian roots with saxophone and contemporary jazz.
• Yellowjackets: Legends of Fusion Jazz, long-standing American fusion institution known for genre-defining work.

Other Recent And Recurring Artists:

• Lakecia Benjamin, Dhafer Youssef, Charlotte Planchou, Curtis Stigers, Emmet Cohen: Artists who have appeared at E-Werk in recent editions, representing saxophone, oud-infused jazz, vocal jazz, and piano trio traditions.
• GIU: Featured at fill in AVENUE street festival, bringing jazz to alleyway in front of old bus depot in Eurobahnhof district.
• Young Jazz Musicians At St. Johanner Markt: For one evening, young jazz musicians transform historic market square into jazz club, providing platform for next generation.

Special Guests And Regional Projects: The festival also hosts open-air events at Lake Bostal on lawn of Gonnesweiler lido with two days of summer, sun, lake and jazz, plus Berlin presentation as part of Saarland State Representation programme at Jazz in den Ministergärten, and finale at Stadthalle St. Ingbert, a prestigious hall built in 1970s by architect Hanns Schönecker.

Event Experience

Industrial Chic At E-Werk: The E-Werk on Saarterrassen at Dr.-Tietz-Straße in Saarbrücken is a former industrial hall transformed into concert venue with excellent acoustics. Evenings present two concerts per night, with free seating choice and no seat reservations, allowing audiences to choose their perspective.

Street Party Opening: fill in AVENUE is a colourful street festival where jazz returns to streets. The alleyway in front of old bus depot becomes stage for dancing, food stalls, and community celebration.

Bars And Clubs Night: The festival kicks off with glittering celebration at St. Johanner Markt where numerous concerts take place in pubs and bars around historic market square, turning entire old town into jazz club.

Lake And Summer Vibes: At Bostalsee, fill in hosts open-air event on lawn of Gonnesweiler lido, combining swimming, sun, and jazz for two days.

Berlin And St. Ingbert Extensions: As in previous years, fill in will be part of programme of Saarland State Representation to Federal Government at Jazz in den Ministergärten, and will conclude in Stadthalle St. Ingbert located directly at market in city centre.

Family Friendly And Inclusive: Children and young people up to 18 are generally admitted free of charge, with free ticket reservation. Dogs may enter festival grounds on leash if used to concerts and do not bark, except for bad weather alternative E-Werk and Stadthalle St. Ingbert.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates

Festival Period: June 2027, Dates TBD

Main Programme: Over three days at the end of June at the E-Werk on the Saarterrassen in Saarbrücken

Season Structure:

• fill in AVENUE: Colourful street festival in alleyway in front of old bus depot in Eurobahnhof district of Saarbrücken, bringing jazz back to streets, typically held in early May as kickoff
• fill in BARS and Clubs: Glittering celebration at St. Johanner Markt, where young jazz musicians transform market square into jazz club for one evening, with numerous concerts in pubs and bars around St. Johanner Markt
• Main Programme At E-Werk: Three evenings, each evening presenting two concerts, for example 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM slots, becoming epicentre of European jazz scene with legends, world stars, and hip newcomers
• fill in At Bostalsee: Open-air event at Lake Bostal on lawn of Gonnesweiler lido for two days of summer, sun, lake and jazz
• Berlin Presentation: Part of Saarland State Representation programme at Jazz in den Ministergärten
• Finale At St. Ingbert: At Stadthalle in St. Ingbert located directly at market in city centre

Ticket Sale Note: Tickets are sold via Reservix platform, with online purchase recommended. Box office available subject to availability with surcharge.

Weather Policy: Concerts take place in bad weather. If high probability of rain, bring weatherproof clothing. In very bad weather, festival moves to E-Werk alternative venue with announcement via media, website, and social channels.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

fill in – International Jazz Festival Saar takes place in Saarbrücken, capital of Saarland, in Saar-Lor-Lux region bordering France and Luxembourg.

Main Venue:

• E-Werk On The Saarterrassen: Dr.-Tietz-Straße, 66117 Saarbrücken, Saarbrücken. Former industrial power plant transformed into cultural centre, hosting main programme with two concerts per evening, free seating, and industrial charm. Address also used as bad weather alternative for open-air garden programmes.

Other Venues:

• St. Johanner Markt: Historic market square in old town Saarbrücken, centre for fill in BARS and Clubs night where pubs and bars host numerous concerts, transforming square into jazz club.
• Eurobahnhof District – Old Bus Depot Alleyway: Site for fill in AVENUE street festival, colourful street party celebrating jazz together.
• German-French Garden: Historically main open-air garden venue, with free seating and garden atmosphere, now used depending on programme year.
• Bostalsee – Gonnesweiler Lido Lawn: Lake Bostal in Saarland, hosting open-air summer event for two days.
• Stadthalle St. Ingbert: Town hall located directly at market in city centre of St. Ingbert, classic event hall built as part of redevelopment in 1970s by architect Hanns Schönecker, used for finale concert.
• Saarland State Representation Berlin: For Jazz in den Ministergärten programme in October.

All venues are accessible by public transport, with Saarbrücken’s compact centre walkable.

Event History

fill in – International Jazz Festival Saar was created to bring world-class jazz to greater SaarLorLux region and to celebrate jazz in all its facets. Organized by K8 Institut für strategische Ästhetik gGmbH, the festival has established itself as jazz festival in Saar-Lor-Lux.

The festival format has evolved to include multiple special events beyond main programme. The kick-off concept of fill in AVENUE as street party in Quartier am Eurobahnhof was introduced to bring jazz back to streets, with early editions on April 24 with street party.

The BARS and Clubs night at St. Johanner Markt was developed to transform market square into jazz club for one evening, with numerous concerts in pubs and bars, creating pub crawl feeling.

Main programme historically ran in German-French Garden, a garden on border between Germany and France symbolizing friendship, before moving to E-Werk on Saarterrassen for larger capacity and weather independence, while garden remains part of identity.

Extensions to Vauban Island in Saarlouis for jazz walk, to Berlin for Jazz in Ministerial Gardens as part of Saarland state representation, and to St. Ingbert Stadthalle for final concert were added to extend festival across region and beyond.

The festival has presented legends and world stars alongside up-and-coming talents, with emphasis on free access for young audiences and discounts for students, recipients of social benefits, and people aged 65 and over.

Getting to the Event

By Train: Saarbrücken Hauptbahnhof is served by ICE, regional trains, and French TGV from Paris, with direct connections to Mannheim, Frankfurt, and Luxembourg. From main station, tram and bus lines reach E-Werk on Saarterrassen, St. Johanner Markt, and Eurobahnhof district.

By Car: Accessible via Autobahn A6 and A620. Parking available near E-Werk at Saarterrassen and in city centre parking garages. For Bostalsee events, follow signs to Bostalsee and Gonnesweiler lido.

By Air: Nearest airports are Saarbrücken Airport and Luxembourg Airport. Frankfurt Airport provides extensive international connections with train to Saarbrücken in about two hours.

Local Transport: Saarbrücken’s Saarbahn tram and bus network covers all venues. E-Werk, St. Johanner Markt, and Eurobahnhof are within short tram rides of each other. City centre is walkable.

Accessibility: E-Werk and Stadthalle St. Ingbert offer accessible entrances. For open-air garden and lake venues, contact organizer for specific accessibility information. Free seating means early arrival recommended for best spots.

Where to Stay Nearby

City Centre Hotels: Hotels such as Hotel Domicil Leidinger, Mercure Hotel Saarbrücken City, and boutique hotels around St. Johanner Markt provide walking distance to BARS and Clubs night and short tram ride to E-Werk.

Saarterrassen Area: Hotels near E-Werk on Saarterrassen offer convenience for main programme evenings, with industrial chic surroundings and easy access to Saar River promenade.

Eurobahnhof District: Apartments and design hotels near Eurobahnhof district are ideal for AVENUE street festival and offer modern accommodation in developing creative quarter.

Lake Bostal: For Bostalsee open-air events, hotels and holiday apartments around Bostalsee and in Gonnesweiler provide lakeside stays with swimming and hiking.

Budget And Youth: Hostels and budget hotels in Saarbrücken centre provide affordable options for young audiences who enjoy free admission up to 18.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Saarbrücken Old Town: Explore St. Johanner Markt with historic buildings, cafés, and bars that host festival concerts, plus Ludwigskirche baroque church and Saarbrücken Castle.

German-French Garden: Visit garden that historically hosted main programme, with playgrounds, lakes, and border symbolism.

Saar River Promenade: Walk along Saar River between Saarterrassen and city centre, enjoying views of industrial heritage transformed into cultural spaces.

Völklingen Ironworks: Take day trip to UNESCO World Heritage Völklinger Hütte, former ironworks turned cultural centre, reflecting same industrial transformation as E-Werk.

Cross-Border Trips: Cross into France to Metz or Luxembourg City, both within an hour, experiencing SaarLorLux culture that festival celebrates.

Bostalsee Activities: During lake events, enjoy swimming, boating, hiking around Bostalsee, and relaxing on lawn of Gonnesweiler lido between jazz sets.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

Near St. Johanner Markt:

• Historic Market Restaurants serve Saarland specialties such as Lyoner, Dibbelabbes, and seasonal dishes with French influence, suitable before BARS and Clubs night.
• Pubs And Bars around market host festival concerts and offer light meals, local beers, and wines.

Near E-Werk:

• Saarterrassen Restaurants provide industrial chic dining with international menus, suitable for pre-concert dinners before 7:00 PM concerts.
• Cafés At E-Werk serve snacks and drinks during intermissions.

Eurobahnhof District:

• Street Food Stalls During AVENUE offer diverse foods, beverages, and handcrafted items during street festival.

Bostalsee:

• Lido Restaurants at Gonnesweiler lido serve summer dishes, barbecue, and lake-view dining during open-air events.

Many restaurants accept online reservations and offer English and French menus reflecting border region. For main programme evenings, booking table around 5:30 PM ensures relaxed transfer to E-Werk.

Ticket Information

Official tickets are sold via Reservix platform and at Reservix advance booking offices, plus box office subject to availability.

Pricing Based On Previous Editions Converted To USD:

• Evening Ticket: Valid for both concerts of an evening, costs $54 or $38 reduced
• Festival Pass: Valid for all three evenings of main programme, costs $139 or $97 reduced
• Free Events: fill in AVENUE, fill in BARS and Clubs, and fill in BRIDGE are free of charge
• Online Purchase Surcharge: $2 per purchase applies for convenient online purchase via Reservix
• Box Office Surcharge: $5 per ticket when purchasing at box office subject to availability
• Children: Admission completely free up to age of 18, free ticket must still be reserved online
• Accompanying Persons: Persons in possession of severely disabled pass with B mark entitled to take accompanying person free of charge, register via email with copy of ID and festival ticket to info@fillin-festival.de

Discounts Apply To:

• Students up to age of 31
• Recipients of social benefits
• People aged 65 and over

Individual Concert Tickets: Tickets for main programme are valid for entire evening, individual tickets for just one concert are not available in main programme in German-French Garden or E-Werk.

Where To Buy:

• Online: https://fillin-festival.de/ via Reservix shop
• Hotline: Reservix hotline daily including weekends between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM on +49 761 888499 99
• Box Office: At festival grounds depending on availability
• Email: info@fillin-festival.de

All prices include VAT, plus surcharges where noted. Seats can be chosen freely, no seat reservations possible.

Tips Before You Go

Reserve Free Youth Tickets Early: Even though admission is free up to 18, free ticket must still be reserved online for each evening, so reserve early to guarantee entry for main programme.

Plan For Free Seating: There are no seat reservations and it is not possible to reserve specific seats in advance without exception, seats can be chosen freely, so arrive early for best spots especially for popular evenings.

Weatherproof Clothing: Concerts take place in bad weather, if high probability of rain bring weatherproof clothing, and check announcements for potential move to E-Werk alternative venue.

Photography Policy: Photography and filming is prohibited on festival grounds, so enjoy live moment without camera and respect artists.

Use AVENUE As Warmup: Attend fill in AVENUE street festival as colourful introduction to festival spirit and to discover young talents before main programme.

Cross-Border Experience: Take advantage of SaarLorLux location to combine festival with visits to nearby French and Luxembourg towns, reflecting festival’s borderless jazz philosophy.

Official Event Information

Organizer: K8 Institut für strategische Ästhetik gGmbH, Keplerstraße 3-5, 66117 Saarbrücken, organizer of fill in – International Jazz Festival Saar, selling tickets via Reservix GmbH, Humboldtstraße 2, 79098 Freiburg

Venue: E-Werk on Saarterrassen, Dr.-Tietz-Straße, Saarbrücken, plus St. Johanner Markt, Eurobahnhof, German-French Garden, Bostalsee Gonnesweiler lido, Stadthalle St. Ingbert, and Saarland Representation Berlin

Website: https://fillin-festival.de/

Ticket Sales: Reservix platform, Reservix advance booking offices, hotline +49 761 888499 99 daily 6 AM to 10 PM, plus box office

Email: info@fillin-festival.de

Programme Details: Over three days at end of June presenting all facets of jazz, plus special events at Avenue, Bars and Clubs, Bostalsee, Berlin, and St. Ingbert

Social And Digital: Trailers, news blog only German, newsletter subscription via website

Attendee Experiences

Long-Time Visitor Perspective: Regular guests describe fill in as festival that brings world-class jazz to greater SaarLorLux region with intimate industrial setting at E-Werk and colourful street party at AVENUE, creating borderless celebration.

First-Time Guest Perspective: First-time visitors highlight free seating choice, ability to see two concerts per evening with one ticket, and free admission for young audiences, making high-quality jazz accessible and welcoming.

Musician Perspective: Musicians appreciate transformation of St. Johanner Markt into jazz club and alleyway street festival that brings jazz back to streets, plus lake open-air at Bostalsee offering summer, sun, lake and jazz combination.

Family Perspective: Families value completely free admission up to 18 with free ticket reservation and ability to bring children from infancy with hearing protection, plus dogs allowed on leash if used to concerts, making festival inclusive for all ages.