The foundations for the city's cultural life were laid during the eras of the rulers of Nassau and Prussia, when Wiesbaden became a place for intellectuals and artists to meet.

Today, cultural highlights center on the State Theater, the Kurhaus and the Museum of Wiesbaden. During the summer, the Rheingau Music Festival is a popular attraction.

Goethe felt inspired here, Brahms composed the "Wiesbaden Symphony," Dostojevsky conducted extensive studies in the casino for "The Gambler", Wagner worked on his opera "Die Meistersinger of Nürnberg" in a villa on the Rhine, Max Reger lived for a long time in Wiesbaden, and painters like Otto Ritschl and Alexey von Jawlensky spent the autumn of their lives here.

The focus of cultural life is the State Theater, which can look back on a tradition of over one hundred years with its "International May Theatre Festival". It was Emperor Wilhelm II, together with Richard Wagner,  who initiated the first opera festival at the newly constructed Neo-Baroque style building in 1896. Until the political changes in Eastern Europe the International May Festival in Wiesbaden was internationally known as one of the major cultural events.

A popular venue for social and commercial events is the neoclassical Kurhaus, a palace-like complex and impressive landmark, accommodating beautiful salons and halls plus a magnificent Casino. Here world-class orchestras and famous artists meet in the unique ambience of the Friedrich von Thiersch  Hall or  for open-air events in the charming Kurhaus surroundings. In addition to traditional concerts, the Kurhaus Wiesbaden sets highlights in the city's cultural scene with a variety of events. 

An extensive cultural program is presented by the successful "Rheingau Music Festival," which was founded in 1988. From the end of May to the beginning of September outstanding artistic performances may be enjoyed in historic buildings and enchanting landscapes.

The Museum of Wiesbaden, with its permanent Jawlensky art collection, and exhibitions with emphasis on international contemporary art, and a number of art galleries and varieté theaters offer a comprehensive range of the most varied forms of art and culture.