Faust-Festspiele Pottenstein

Open-Air Theatre in the Franconian Switzerland

The Faust-Festspiele Pottenstein are among the most distinguished open-air theatre festivals in Franconia. The venue is the natural stage at Schüttersmühle in the Klumpertal valley, a narrow valley in the Franconian Switzerland (Bayreuth district, Upper Franconia, Bavaria). The stage is nestled among rocks and mixed forest – a natural backdrop that few Bavarian open-air stages can surpass.

Four Adult Productions in 2026

The 2026 summer play schedule includes four main productions, performed in rotation throughout the season:

• Faust I – Goethe's classic drama about Faust and Gretchen, the festival's signature piece
• Der Schmied von Pottenstein – A summer spectacle based on an old Pottenstein legend, premiere for the 125th anniversary of the Fränkische-Schweiz-Verein (founded 1901 in the same location at Schüttersmühle)
• Der Pottensteiner Teufelspakt – A traditional festival play based on a local legend, combining drama and local colour
• Der Wirrwarr – A comedy with mistaken identities and turbulent encounters

The programme is complemented by the children's play Mondragur or "The Story of the Golden Egg" – a fantasy adventure suitable for kindergarten age, performed on selected afternoons at 4:00 PM.

Performance Schedule and Gala Premieres

The adult plays begin at 8:00 PM and last approximately two hours, including an intermission, ending around 10:00 PM. Highlights of the 2026 season include the Gala Premieres with a premiere celebration in the beer garden: Der Schmied von Pottenstein on June 17, 2026, and Der Wirrwarr on July 1, 2026. Faust I celebrates its season premiere on June 19, 2026. The festival concludes on August 15, 2026, with a grand closing party with a DJ – free admission for the party.

A Venue with History

Schüttersmühle is not only a theatre venue but also the founding place of the Fränkische-Schweiz-Verein (1901) – the region's most important heritage and hiking association. The 2026 season, with the newly staged Der Schmied von Pottenstein, marks the 125th anniversary of this association.

Pottenstein and the Franconian Switzerland

Pottenstein is a small town with around 5,000 inhabitants in the Bayreuth district (Upper Franconia, Bavaria), famous for the Teufelshöhle cave, the Pottenstein rock landscape, and the annual Festival of Lights. The Faust-Festspiele are among the cultural trademarks of the town and the Franconian Switzerland region.