Burghoftheater Kapellendorf
Summer theatre in the courtyard of Kapellendorf Water Castle with cabaret, comedy, and performance art
About Burghoftheater
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Open-Air Theatre in the Courtyard of a Medieval Water Castle
The Burghoftheater Kapellendorf is a summer theatre of a special kind: performances take place outdoors in the courtyard of Kapellendorf Water Castle — one of Thuringia's best-preserved lowland castles, with origins dating back to the 12th century. From Thursday, July 16 to Saturday, August 29, 2026, the Kurz- und Kleinkunstbühne (short and performance art stage) performs its summer season every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:30 PM.
Six Weeks of Open-Air with Cabaret and Performance Art
The programme of the summer season focuses on:
- Cabaret — political and social commentary with artists from Thuringia and beyond
- Comedy — stand-up, sketch comedy, light entertainment
- Performance Art — chanson, wordplay, musical comedy
- Local Productions — occasional local musicals and regionally rooted performances
The festival follows a fixed rhythm: three performance evenings per week, each at 8:30 PM, spread over six weeks. This creates a constant summer theatre offering in a holiday region between Weimar and Jena.
Kapellendorf Water Castle — Historic Setting
The Kapellendorf Water Castle is one of Thuringia's most important water castles. The castle complex from the 12th/13th century is surrounded by a double moat and today houses a museum on regional castle history. The central courtyard — with sandstone walls, towers, and historical architectural elements — forms the natural stage for the Burghoftheater. The acoustics of the courtyard and the ambiance make every performance a focused experience: no street noise, intimate proximity to the artists, a historic setting that enhances every performance.
Kapellendorf — Between Weimar and Jena
The small municipality of Kapellendorf (around 800 inhabitants) in the district of Weimarer Land is located between the cultural cities of Weimar (12 km) and Jena (15 km). Its location makes the Burghoftheater an attractive programme item for visitors from both cities — especially for guests staying in the region for several days and seeking culture outside the major venues.
Kurz- und Kleinkunstbühne as the Presenter
The Kurz- und Kleinkunstbühne is an established Thuringian performance art institution that curates the programme at the Burghoftheater. During the summer months, the performances move to the water castle; at other times of the year, the programme takes place at other venues in the region.
Burghoftheater — edition 2026
Season 2026
Six weeks of summer theatre in the courtyard of the water castle. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:30 PM, the Kurz- und Kleinkunstbühne uses the historic castle backdrop for cabaret, comedy, and performance art. The season's programme, including all plays and artists, will be published on the website before the season begins.
The fixed programme structure (three performance evenings per week, six weeks) makes the Burghoftheater a reliable destination for theatre evenings in the region between Weimar and Jena — ideal for guests combining a multi-day stay with culture.
Programme Burghoftheater 2026
Performance Schedule
- Thursday: 8:30 PM Performance
- Friday: 8:30 PM Performance
- Saturday: 8:30 PM Performance
- Over six weeks from July 16 to August 29, 2026 (approx. 18 performance evenings)
Programme Focus
- Cabaret — political and social themes
- Comedy — stand-up and sketch comedy
- Performance Art — chanson, wordplay, musical comedy
- Occasional Local Productions and local musicals
Venue
- Courtyard of Kapellendorf Water Castle — open-air under the sky
- Historic sandstone walls as an acoustic resonance chamber
- Seating in the castle courtyard
- Alternative solution in case of bad weather
Complete programme schedule with all plays, artists, and dates will be published from early July 2026 at kurz-und-kleinkunst.de/spielplan.
Highlights Burghoftheater 2026
- Open-air summer season at Kapellendorf Water Castle
- Six weeks from July 16 to August 29, 2026
- Three performance evenings per week (Thu/Fri/Sat, 8:30 PM each)
- Cabaret, comedy, performance art
- One of Thuringia's best-preserved lowland castles as a stage
- Between the cultural cities of Weimar and Jena
- Intimate atmosphere and excellent courtyard acoustics
Prices Burghoftheater 2026
Ticket prices vary depending on the performance, typically in the low double-digit Euro range (€15-€25). Reservations by phone at 0171 5294908 or by e-mail via kurz-und-kleinkunst.de. Collection at the box office up to 10 minutes before the performance begins.
Practical information — Burghoftheater
Date 2026
Thursday, July 16 to Saturday, August 29, 2026. Performance evenings: every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, at 8:30 PM each.
Venue
Courtyard of Kapellendorf Water Castle, 99510 Kapellendorf.
Tickets
Reservations by phone at 0171 5294908 or by e-mail (via kurz-und-kleinkunst.de). Collection at the box office up to 10 minutes before the performance begins.
Getting There
By car: A4 exit Apolda, then towards Kapellendorf. By bus: connection from Weimar and Jena to Kapellendorf. Parking available at the water castle.
Programme Schedule
Detailed programme schedule with plays, artists, and performance times at kurz-und-kleinkunst.de/spielplan.
Note on Open-Air
In case of bad weather, alternative venue or postponement — latest information on the Kurz- und Kleinkunst website. Weatherproof clothing recommended.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Burghoftheater al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Burghoftheater
Innenhof der Wasserburg Kapellendorf
Wasserburg Kapellendorf, 99510 Kapellendorf