Info for Artists
For almost 40 years Pflasterspektakel is a meeting point for street performers from all over the world. It has become one of the largest and most successful street performance festivals in Europe with around 100 participating companies and artists and more than 200.000 visitors within 3 festival days.
Pflasterspektakel is a busking festival. The organizer, the cultural department of the City of Linz, provides hotel accomodation including breakfast, a daily allowance and a contribution to travel expenses. For performing at Pflasterspektakel it is necessary to apply via the online form during the call for application from 15 November to 15 January.
Pflasterspektakel 2026 from 23 to 25 July
In the list below you will find all the information on application, performance modalities and the conditions of participation.
Artists can apply via online form only.
The invitation / refusal will be sent until 15 February at latest via email.
Every year more than 800 companies and solo performers apply, out of which 100 acts are invited to the festival – half of them for the first time.
The invitation / refusal will be sent until 15 February at latest by email. Every year about 50% of the participants are invited for the very first time. The number of acts is limited to about 100 companies and solo performers. Therefore we are not able to consider all applications.
At the “time and location reservation” artists choose their performance slots and locations according to the general festival regulations every day in the morning of each festival day. The festival staff assists and gives advice. Hence artists get the right setting for their particular performance. Every day 2 or 3 performances can be done. Performances start every hour on the hour. Performance slots are 1 hour including set up and take down time. For artists with special performances (fire / pyrotechnics, loud music, Samba / percussion, street painting, standstill, walking acts fixed structures including long set-up and take-down times, mobile performances etc.) apply special conditions. Official permits will be taken care of by the organizer.
About 40 performance locations spread throughout the public space in the city centre: pedestrian zone, courtyards, squares and park areas. Some spots, especially located at courtyards, are equipped with seating for the audience. Some performance location don’t have power supply. Fire euqipment and loud performances are only allowed at certain spots. In case of very bad weather roofed locations as well as indoor spots are available.
Additional performances can be done in the context of special programs like the “Kaleidoscope Shows at the Circus Tent”, the “Nightline” or the “Lottery for special performance locations”.Artists will be informed about additional performance possibilities along with the participation agreement and when checking-in at the festival office.
No stages available. No sound equipment provided by the organizer. Artist have to take care of their own sound equipment. Sound should only be emited to the surrounding audience in order not to disturb performances from neighbouring artists (e.g. no tripods). Not all performance locations have power supply.
The organizer does not provide technical equipment. Artists also have to bring their own extension cables, power distributors, tape, etc.
If you’re interested in renting equipment, we’re happy to assist you.The following conditions apply:
The travel allowance is based on a zonal model, meaning that distances are divided into zones, each with a fixed flat rate. The distance from the starting point to Linz, starting no earlier than the reference date of July 19, 2026, will be used to calculate the travel allowance. Any documents dated before the reference date cannot be accepted as travel proof. The travel allowance to the festival is counted twice (for both the outbound and return trip), regardless of the actual return route. Reduced travel allowance will be payed for additional artists traveling in a private car/van. A maximum of €1,000 in travel allowance will be paid per artist or group. To receive the travel allowance, proof of the starting point and departure date is mandatory. The travel allowance is calculated based on three days of participation.
Accompanying persons are not entitled to a travel allowance and will not be included in the calculation.
>> More Information on Travel Allowance
For companions no daily allowance is paid.
Costs of overnight stays at hotels including breakfast will be covered by the organizer. The hotels are located at the city centre, parking is provided at the hotel or nearby the festival office.
Accomodation for companions can’t be covered.
First port of call after the arrival in Linz for performers is the festival office next to Hauptplatz (main square)! This is where the check-in happens and where you get all the information you need (parking, hotel, performances,…). The festival office offers changing and washing rooms and an exchange counter.
The team of the Pflasterspektakel at the check-in desk answers any queries!
The Pflasterspektakel Café located at the courtyard offers the possibility to relax as well as hot meals, snacks and drinks for a moderate price.
ADDRESS
University of Arts Linz
Hauptplatz 8
4020 Linz
TRAIN
Linz Central Station
ÖBB
Westbahn (Vienna – Linz – Munich)
CAR
Coming from Salzburg and Vienna: the A1 Westautobahn-motorway, exit Linz/Zentrum;
Coming from Prague and Freistadt on the A7 Mühlkreisautobahn-motorway, exit Linz/Hafenstraße;
Coming from Regensburg and Passau on the A8 Innkreisautobahn-motorway to the A1, exit Linz/Zentrum or toll-free along the Danube on the B127;
Note: on Austrian motorways a toll, “vignette”, is compulsory!
PLANE
Linz Airport
Vienna International Airport
Transfer
Linz/Hörsching: Airport bus No. 601 to Linz Central Station (approx. 20min.)
Wien/Schwechat: Train to Linz Central Station (approx. 2h)