Bad Arolsen Schlosshof Open Air

Premiere in the Palace Courtyard

The Bad Arolsen Schlosshof Open Air is a new open-air format celebrating its premiere in 2026. The venue is the courtyard of the Residenzschloss Bad Arolsen – that mighty Baroque building, commissioned by Prince Friedrich Anton Ulrich von Waldeck and Pyrmont from 1710 onwards, based on plans by Julius Ludwig Rothweil. The palace is one of North Hesse's most significant Baroque residences and is considered the "North Hessian Versailles" with its preserved festive halls and stucco ceilings. The square inner courtyard with its historic facades offers an extraordinary concert backdrop – great acoustic impact, intimate size, and a sky above the stage.

Four Evenings, Four Styles

The opening on June 11, 2026, at 8:00 PM is by Dick Brave, alias Sasha – his Rockabilly program, a tribute to Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, and Elvis. This is followed by LaBrassBanda from Chiemgau with their unmistakable mix of brass, polka, pop, and electronics. The third evening features Alvaro Soler, the Spanish-German pop star whose hits "Sofia" and "La Cintura" have topped charts worldwide. The finale is by Karat – the East German rock legend formed in 1975, known for "Über sieben Brücken musst du gehen" and "Schwanenkönig," now with three generations of fans in the audience.

Bad Arolsen as a Festival City

The district town, with around 16,000 inhabitants in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district, thrives on its residential character and tourism centered around the historic old town. The palace, the nearby Arolsen Archives (a UNESCO World Documentary Heritage site), and its picturesque location between the Twiste and Aar rivers make Bad Arolsen an attractive destination. With the Schlosshof Open Air, the town gains its own summer concert format, ranking among North Hesse's cultural highlights.

Integration into the Bad Arolsen Event Calendar

The Schlosshof Open Air complements Bad Arolsen's already rich cultural offerings. The town celebrates its princely past not only architecturally but also programmatically – with the Bad Arolsen Baroque Festivals in the palace park, the International Kasper Festival in the palace theater, summer events at the palace, and the Christmas Tree Village during Advent. The new Schlosshof Open Air positions itself among these formats, filling a gap in the festival calendar in June.