Cultural life in Dresden is rich in highlights - no list could ever claim to be complete. The Dresden Music Festivals, held each year at the end of May and beginning of June, bring together not only all the local ensembles, but also prominent national and international artists. In October it is the turn of the Dresden Festival of Contemporary Music to enrich the City's cultural scene, while the Dixieland Festival, which has been running since 1971, transforms Dresden into a City of jazz in May each year. With the "Elbhangfest", Dresden can boast one of the largest and most varied cultural and local festivals. On the last weekend in June it takes over a whole stretch of the Elbe hillsides with its lively, friendly festivities