Name: Altmühlsee Festspiele 2026
Start: 2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-12T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Innenhof Altmühlsee-Informationszentrum (AIZ)

Altmühlsee Festspiele

About Altmühlsee Festspiele

The Altmühlsee Festspiele is the most renowned open-air theatre festival in the Franconian Lake District. Since 2005, the stage has been set in the inner courtyard of the Altmühlsee Information Centre (AIZ) in Muhr am See – an intimate open-air venue with excellent acoustics. The 22nd season in 2026 runs from June 4th to July 12th with two main productions ("The Intouchables" as the season blockbuster and "Tatortreiniger"), a Leonard Cohen tribute night, a classical concert, and an opening vernissage.

Dates 04 Jun — 12 Jul 2026

Venue Muhr a.See (09577)

Prices 12.00€ — 26.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Altmühlsee Festspiele — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 22nd season of the Altmühlsee Festspiele runs from June 4th to July 12th, 2026, with around 20 events. The season blockbuster is "The Intouchables" (Premiere June 12th). Other highlights include "Tatortreiniger" (Premiere June 18th), a Leonard Cohen tribute night on June 14th, and the traditional classical concert on July 12th. The opening on June 4th features a vernissage and a concert by the band Blacksmiths.

The 2026 season marks the 22nd year of the Altmühlsee Festspiele. The opening is on Thursday, June 4th, with a vernissage by artists Gerhard Postler and Margot Krug at the AIZ, followed by the opening concert "Rock meets Altmühlsee Festspiele" with the band Blacksmiths – admission free.

The main production is the stage adaptation of the global French hit "The Intouchables" – the true story between a quadriplegic and his caregiver – premiering on June 12th at 8:00 PM, with numerous subsequent performances. The second major production is "Tatortreiniger", based on the NDR series, premiering on June 18th at 8:00 PM.

Highlights Altmühlsee Festspiele 2026

Season blockbuster "The Intouchables" – Premiere June 12th
"Tatortreiniger" based on the NDR series – Premiere June 18th
Leonard Cohen Tribute Night June 14th
Classical concert July 12th on the AIZ open-air stage
Free opening with Blacksmiths

Programme Altmühlsee Festspiele 2026

Opening – Thursday, June 4th, 2026

6:30 PM — Vernissage Gerhard Postler & Margot Krug at the AIZ
following — "Rock meets Altmühlsee Festspiele" with the band Blacksmiths (Free admission)

Theatre Productions

"The Intouchables" — Premiere Friday, June 12th, 2026, 8:00 PM. Subsequent performances until early July.
"Tatortreiniger" — Premiere Thursday, June 18th, 2026, 8:00 PM. Regular performances in June and July.

Music & Concerts

Sunday, June 14th — Leonard Cohen Tribute "Sincerely a Friend" featuring "So Long, Marianne", "Bird On The Wire", "Dance Me To The End Of Love", "Hallelujah"
Sunday, July 12th, 7:00 PM — Classical Concert "Klassik heier amol ned am See" on the covered open-air stage at the AIZ

Venue

All performances take place in the courtyard of the Altmühlsee Information Centre (AIZ) in Muhr am See. Covered stage – performances proceed even in rain.

Full Programme – Tickets

Prices Altmühlsee Festspiele 2026

Theatre: €26 / concessions €17 (students, GdB from 60%). Classical concert €14 / concessions €12. Opening concert on June 4th: Free admission. Sales via Reservix and on-site.

Practical information

Practical information — Altmühlsee Festspiele

Getting There

By car: A6 exit Aurach, direction Gunzenhausen, then Muhr am See, follow signs for AIZ. By train: to Gunzenhausen (line to Treuchtlingen), then bus 678 or taxi. Parking at the AIZ is free. Cycle paths around the lake are well-developed.

Tickets & Prices

Standard ticket: €26. Concessions (students, severely disabled persons with GdB from 60%): €17. Classical concert: €14 (concessions €12). Sales via Reservix, at the AIZ information desk, and at Muhr am See town hall.

In Case of Rain

The stage is covered, and performances proceed even in the rain. Blankets are recommended for cool evenings.

Theatre Festival at Altmühlsee

For over two decades, the Altmühlsee Festspiele have been a staple of the summer cultural calendar in Middle Franconia. Performances take place in the courtyard of the Altmühlsee Information Centre (AIZ) in Muhr am See – a venue with a covered stage, wooden benches, and acoustics that carry even the actors' quietest interjections to the back row. The event is organised by the non-profit association Altmühlsee Festspiele e.V., which works with professional actors and a permanent ensemble.

The 22nd Season 2026

From June 4th to July 12th, 2026, around 20 events are scheduled. The season blockbuster is "The Intouchables", based on the successful French film – premiere on June 12th at 8:00 PM, followed by numerous subsequent performances until early July. The second major production is "Tatortreiniger", based on the NDR series of the same name, premiering on June 18th.

Opening with Vernissage and Rock Concert

The season kicks off on June 4th at 6:30 PM with a vernissage by artists Gerhard Postler and Margot Krug at the AIZ. Afterwards, the band Blacksmiths will rock the opening under the motto "Rock meets Altmühlsee Festspiele" – admission is free.

Musical Accompanying Programme

In addition to the plays, the 2026 festival features a Leonard Cohen tribute night on June 14th titled "Sincerely a Friend", with classics like "So Long, Marianne", "Bird On The Wire", "Dance Me To The End Of Love", and "Hallelujah". The season's traditional classical concert – "Klassik heier amol ned am See" – will take place on July 12th at 7:00 PM on the covered open-air stage at the AIZ, instead of directly on the lake shore as usual.

Franconian Lake District

Muhr am See is located on the Altmühlsee, one of the three large reservoirs created in the 1980s in the Franconian Lake District in the district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen. The AIZ on the north shore is the tourist gateway to the lake and serves as a visitor information and nature conservation centre outside of the festival season. The festival combines theatre and lake district tourism – many guests combine their theatre evening with a bike tour, swimming, or a boat trip on the MS Altmühlsee.