One of Europe’s most iconic alpine destinations, Kitzbühel Tourism will host the 2026 edition of Sound | Escape Festival from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22. The event takes place on the Kitzbüheler Horn in Austria and is free to attend, although access to the mountain venues requires a valid lift or gondola ticket.
Guests do not need to ski or snowboard to participate. Foot passengers can purchase a daily gondola pass for €20, making the mountain stages accessible to non-skiers. Organizers emphasize inclusivity, aiming to connect winter sports and electronic music culture in an open and welcoming environment. Some locations are barrier-free, though due to the alpine setting, not all areas are fully accessible.
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Last year’s edition featured more than 40 artists, with Sven Väth headlining alongside Kilimanjaro, Lunnas, Marvin Aloys, Tube & Berger, and others.
Now entering its third edition, Sound | Escape 2026 promises another standout lineup. Friday’s program includes headliner Claptone, alongside Wolfram, Marvin Aloys, and a back-to-back set from Alex Sanchez B2B Constantin Merk. Saturday’s bill features Steve Hope, Kilimanjaro, and Joyce Muniz.
The festival spans two primary mountain stages: Alpine Stage Horn at the Alpenhaus and Alpine Stage Hahnenkamm, set against panoramic alpine views.
Dr. Viktoria Veider-Walser, Managing Director of Kitzbühel Tourism, said:
“For many years, our businesses have placed a strong focus on electronic music in the mountains. With Sound | Escape, we’ve succeeded in bringing these forces together and connecting our partners on the mountain and in the valley through an innovative concept.”
Access to mountain venues is managed by Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel. Special foot-only tickets will be available on site. On Friday, March 20, tickets can be purchased at the Hornbahn valley station and are valid for rides to Alpenhaus. On Saturday, March 21, foot-only tickets will be available at the Fleckalmbahn valley station for access to the Hahnenkamm Alpine Stage. For more information, visit the official website.
Lift closing times are as follows:
Friday, March 20
Hornbahn closes at 19:00
Hahnenkammbahn closes at 23:00 (operating break 17:00–17:45)
Saturday, March 21
Fleckalmbahn closes at 18:30
Hahnenkammbahn closes at 18:00
Visitors may also choose to stay within the city center if they prefer not to travel to the mountain stages.
