Apoldaer Kabarett-Tage

Apolda — Bell City in the Weimarer Land

Apolda, with around 22,000 inhabitants, is the district town of Weimarer Land in Thuringia, located east of Weimar between Erfurt and the Saale river. The city is known as the Bell City — bells for all of Europe were cast here in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the famous bells of Worms Cathedral and Munich's Frauenkirche. The GlockenStadtMuseum documents this tradition. Apolda is also known as the Weaving City — the textile industry shaped the city for decades. Today, Apolda is a modern medium-sized town with a vibrant cultural scene.

Egon-Eiermann-Bau — Bauhaus Icon as a Venue

The main venue is the Egon-Eiermann-Bau (also called Eiermannbau) at Auenstraße 11 — a former factory from 1938, designed by the famous Bauhaus architect Egon Eiermann (1904–1970). Eiermann is considered one of the most important German architects of the 20th century — his works include the German Pavilion at Expo 1958 in Brussels, the Chancellery in Bonn, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. The Apolda building is one of his early industrial architectures — now a listed monument and used for culture, education, and conferences. With its large halls and Bauhaus aesthetic, it offers an extraordinary backdrop for cabaret performances.

33 Years of Cabaret Tradition

The Apoldaer Kabarett-Tage have been held since 1994 — so 2026 celebrates the 33rd edition. Remarkable consistency for a small town: for over three decades, the festival has established itself as a firm fixture for cabaret lovers in Central Germany. The format combines classic political cabaret with modern comedy, song cabaret with stand-up — typically five events spread over just under two weeks. Well-known names from the German-speaking cabaret and comedy scene perform in Apolda — a mix that makes the festival attractive to both older and younger audiences.

Eure Mütter Open in 2026

The 33rd edition opens on Friday, 13 November 2026, at 7:30 PM, with a performance by the Munich cult comedy group Eure Mütter at the Stadthalle Apolda. Eure Mütter — founded in 2003 — are one of the best-known South German comedy troupes, famous for absurd sketches, cheeky songs, and sharp satire. Tickets from €34.80 (hall and row categories vary). The subsequent events take place in the Egon-Eiermann-Bau — the detailed programme and artist list will be published by the City of Apolda in early autumn 2026.

Weimarer Land and the Cultural Landscape of Thuringia

In the Weimarer Land district, with Apolda as the district town and the nearby classical city of Weimar, the cultural landscape is particularly rich. While Weimar shapes high culture with its Klassik Stiftung and Kunstfest, Apolda offers industrial culture and contemporary art with the Kabarett-Tage, the GlockenStadtMuseum, and the Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde. Those spending a weekend with cabaret often combine their festival visit with a day in Weimar — the two cities complement each other culturally.