April 2013
(2 Tzschirnerplatz, tel: 0351 4914 2000) One of the city's finest collections of art hangs in the Galerie Neue Meister at the Albertinum, which is hosting 'Constable, Delacroix, Friedrich, Goya: A Shock to the Senses' until 14 July. The exhibition spotlights the work of these masters and looks at how it has influenced generations of later artists. (skd.museum)

January 2013
Semperoper - It's a big year for Dresden's grand opera house, which is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the city's most famous son, Richard Wagner, in 2013. Expect a line-up of tempestuous operas, beginning with Lohengrin in January. The Semperoper Ball brings a spritz of glamour to Theaterplatz on 1 February (2 Theaterplatz, tel: 0351 491 1705).

June 2012
Elbhangfest (7 Fidelio-F-Finke Strasse, tel: 0351 783832). Between 22 and 24 June, the Elbe Banks between Loschwitz and Pillnitz are the place to be in Dresden. Wine tastings, events and concerts follow the weekend's opening parade.

May 2012
This month, all of Dresden will be a jazz stage for the 42nd Dixieland Festival. More than seven million people and eight hundred bands come together in the city to dixie rhythms. Look for concerts in clubs, on steam boats or in restaurants (tel:0351 486 6666, dixieland.de).