Name: Burgenfestspiele Niederbayern – Veste Oberhaus Passau 2026
Start: 2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Veste Oberhaus Passau – Open-Air-Bühne

Burgenfestspiele Passau

About Burgenfestspiele Passau

Throughout the summer, the Landestheater Niederbayern performs on the medieval Veste Oberhaus high above the three-river city of Passau. Wagner's 'Lohengrin', Puccini's 'Turandot', Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', and a symphony concert are on the program on the open-air stage in 2026. In case of rain, performances are moved to the Stadttheater Passau. One of the most extraordinary festival stages in Southern Germany.

Dates 20 Jun — 20 Jul 2026

Venue Passau (09262)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Burgenfestspiele Passau — edition 2026

The 2026 Burgenfestspiele Niederbayern at the Veste Oberhaus Passau run from mid-June to mid-July 2026. On the program: Puccini's 'Turandot' (June 20), Wagner's 'Lohengrin' (premiere June 22, further performances July 13, 18, and 20), Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' (July 3), and a symphony concert by the Niederbayerische Philharmonie. In case of rain, performances are moved to the Stadttheater Passau.

The 2026 season focuses on grand European repertoire. The Landestheater Niederbayern makes its ensemble and the orchestra of the Niederbayerische Philharmonie available for the open-air productions. Advance sales are handled by the Passau Theatre Box Office.

The festivals are an established fixture in the Southern German summer program and attract visitors from all over Bavaria, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Highlights Burgenfestspiele Passau 2026

Wagner opera 'Lohengrin' with premiere on June 22, 2026
Puccini opera 'Turandot' on June 20, 2026
Shakespeare play 'Hamlet' on July 3, 2026
Symphony Concert by the Niederbayerische Philharmonie
Venue: historic Veste Oberhaus above the City of Three Rivers

Programme Burgenfestspiele Passau 2026

2026 Program (as of: advance sales open)

Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 'Turandot' (Giacomo Puccini, opera)
Monday, June 22, 2026 – Premiere 'Lohengrin' (Richard Wagner, romantic opera)
Friday, July 3, 2026 – 'Hamlet' (William Shakespeare, play)
Monday, July 13, 2026 – 'Lohengrin' (additional performance)
Saturday, July 18, 2026 – 'Lohengrin' (additional performance)
Monday, July 20, 2026 – 'Lohengrin' (additional performance)
Also in the program: Symphony Concert by the Niederbayerische Philharmonie (date as per advance sales)

Weather Protection Policy

In case of rain or critical weather conditions, performances are moved to the Stadttheater Passau. Blankets, rain protection, and sturdy shoes (steep climb to the Veste) are recommended.

Tickets exclusively through the Passau Theatre Box Office – no online booking possible.

Prices Burgenfestspiele Passau 2026

Ticket prices vary by seating category and production; advance sales through the Passau Theatre Box Office (in person, by phone). No online tickets. Discounts for pupils, students, seniors, and severely disabled persons.

Practical information

Practical information — Burgenfestspiele Passau

Getting There

Veste Oberhaus, Oberhaus 125, 94034 Passau – accessible via a steep path or shuttle bus from Rathausplatz. Approximately 20 minutes' walk from Passau main station, followed by a steep climb. Parking at the Donau-Parkplatz or in the Innstraße car park.

Tickets

Tickets exclusively through the Passau Theatre Box Office (in person, by phone). No online tickets.

Weather

In case of rain, performances are moved to the Stadttheater Passau. Bring blankets and rain protection.

Festivals on a Bishop's Fortress

The Burgenfestspiele Niederbayern are the summer festival series of the Landestheater Niederbayern. They combine the historical venues of Lower Bavarian castles and palaces with modern repertoire theatre. The main venue is the Veste Oberhaus, the mighty former bishop's fortress high above the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers in Passau.

Three Works and a Concert in 2026

The 2026 program focuses on grand European music and drama theatre:

'Lohengrin' – romantic opera by Richard Wagner (premiere June 22, 2026, further performances on July 13, 18, and 20, 2026)
'Turandot' – opera by Giacomo Puccini (June 20, 2026)
'Hamlet' – play by William Shakespeare (July 3, 2026)
Symphony Concert – Niederbayerische Philharmonie

Weather Protection Policy

The open-air stage at the Veste Oberhaus is only partially covered. In case of rain or critical weather conditions, the performance is moved to the Stadttheater Passau – a standardized procedure that is an integral part of the festival organization. There are no online tickets; the Passau theatre box office handles ticket sales in person, by phone, or on-site.

Veste Oberhaus – Over 800 Years of History

The Veste Oberhaus was founded as a bishop's fortress starting in 1219. It is one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Europe and offers a unique view of Passau's old town with the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Today, it houses the Oberhausmuseum and, in the summer, the Burgenfestspiel stage.

Passau and the Landestheater Niederbayern

Passau is a district-free city in the Lower Bavaria administrative region, known as the 'City of Three Rivers'. The Landestheater Niederbayern is a three-division theatre with venues in Passau, Landshut, and Straubing – the Burgenfestspiele Passau are its summer open-air flagship series.