DNT Theaterfest Weimar — Season Opening 2026/27

Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar — Theatre at UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar (DNT) is one of Germany's most traditional theatres. On February 6, 1919, the proclamation of the Weimar Constitution took place on its main stage — the birth of the first German democracy. The DNT unites drama, music theatre (opera), and concerts by its in-house Staatskapelle Weimar under one roof. The 2026/27 season is under new artistic direction and promises one of the most ambitious programmes in recent years.

Theaterfest — Open House Day

The Theaterfest on September 12, 2026, is the public opening of the new season. On this day, the DNT opens all its doors: Guided tours behind the scenes offer insights into workshops, costume storage, and stage mechanics. Short performances present excerpts from the new productions — 10-20 minutes of 'La Bohème', 'Emilia Galotti', and Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. An opera gala with soloists from the Staatskapelle provides a taste of the musical season. The 'One-Minute Show' is a trademark: actors and actresses present one minute of a production each — a rapid-fire format that showcases the diversity of the house.

21 New Productions, 4 World Premieres, 8 Weimar Premieres

The 2026/27 programme is ambitious: 21 new productions in drama and music theatre. Of these, 4 world premieres — newly created stage works performed here for the first time — and 8 Weimar premieres, meaning well-known plays in new Weimar productions. Classics are on the schedule as well as contemporary works: Puccini's 'La Bohème' as a music theatre highlight, Lessing's 'Emilia Galotti' in drama, Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as an open-air production at the e-werk. The Staatskapelle Weimar complements the theatre with 10 symphony concerts as well as special formats like song recitals, pop-up opera, and 'Klassik sprizz' — informal classical events in bars and unusual locations.

Äquinoktien Festivals — Highlights of the Season

Two thematic festivals structure the season: Äquinoktium III in autumn and Äquinoktium IV in spring. Both are dedicated to social themes — community and self-discovery — and combine performances, discussions, workshops, and accompanying programmes. The autumn festival from October 2 to 4, 2026, has a special highlight: the premiere of Goethe's 'Faust II' in the new DNT production. A historic event — the second part of Faust is rarely performed in full; here in Weimar, the city of Goethe par excellence, with special cultural significance.

Weimar — City of Classics in the State of Thuringia

Weimar is located in the Weimarer Land district in the state of Thuringia and, with around 65,000 inhabitants, is one of Germany's most important cultural cities. Six UNESCO World Heritage sites (Goethe House, Schiller House, Park an der Ilm, Anna Amalia Library, etc.) make Weimar a pilgrimage site for German Classicism. The DNT is a central element within this cultural density: where Goethe, Schiller, and Liszt worked, the National Theatre offers the contemporary answer to the question of what cultural heritage means today.