Felsenbühne Rathen Festival
Summer open-air festival at Europe's most beautiful natural theatre — 90th anniversary in 2026
About Felsenbühne Rathen
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Europe's most beautiful natural theatre since 1936
The Felsenbühne Rathen is one of Europe's most extraordinary venues: an open-air theatre nestled within a natural sandstone rock formation, right at the entrance to the Saxon Switzerland National Park. It opened on May 10, 1936, as the so-called Volksbühne im Wehlgrund (People's Theatre in the Wehlgrund valley). Today, 90 years later, it is Saxony's most important summer theatre — supported by the Landesbühnen Sachsen, Germany's only state theatre company.
The 2026 Season — Anniversary Year
The 2026 season is special: on May 10, the Felsenbühne celebrates its 90th anniversary. The Landesbühnen Sachsen have put together a varied anniversary programme — from family musicals to cult classics to romantic opera:
- 'Pippi Longstocking' — Family musical, premiere May 16, 2026. The adventurous Swedish girl who lives in Villa Villekulla returns to Rathen.
- 'Little Shop of Horrors' — Cult musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, premiere on May 30/31, 2026. The bloodthirsty plant Audrey II on the Felsenbühne.
- 'Der Freischütz' — Carl Maria von Weber's romantic opera, set in the Bohemian forests — the Wolf's Glen scene gains a special impact in the rocky setting.
- Other plays from the repertoire of the Landesbühnen — drama, musical, opera, operetta, family programme.
Immerse Yourself in the Rock Scenery
What sets the Felsenbühne apart from any other theatre is its natural backdrop: towering sandstone rocks frame the stage, and the actors perform against a natural setting that enhances the stage design of each piece in its own way. In Der Freischütz, the Wolf's Glen scene is performed among the real rocks — no stage set can replicate this. During evening performances, the illumination of the rocks creates a special magic. The stands can accommodate around 2,000 spectators.
Getting There — Part of the Experience
The journey to Rathen is part of the theatre evening: you park in Oberrathen on the eastern bank of the Elbe, take the historic cable ferry (since 1909) across the Elbe — a cable-guided ferry that crosses without an engine, powered solely by the Elbe's current — and then walk uphill for about 1 km through the spa town of Rathen to the Felsenbühne. The short walk passes the Amselgrund valley and is easily manageable for families. In case of rain, the performance is moved to an alternative venue (usually Radebeul or Dresden) — tickets remain valid.
Spa Town Rathen and Saxon Switzerland
The spa town of Rathen, with around 350 inhabitants, is located in the district of Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, right at the entrance to the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The Bastei (viewing rock with the historic Bastei Bridge) and the Schwedenlöcher (Swedish Holes) are well-known hiking destinations. Combining a theatre evening with a hiking tour offers the most beautiful way to experience the Felsenbühne.
Felsenbühne Rathen — edition 2026
2026 Edition — The 90th Anniversary
The 2026 season marks the 90th anniversary of the Felsenbühne Rathen — the stage opened on May 10, 1936, and the anniversary season begins on May 10, 2026. The Landesbühnen Sachsen have curated a diverse programme appealing to various genres and audiences — from family musicals to classical opera. The exact performance schedule for individual shows will be published in the 2026 programme on landesbuehnen-sachsen.de.
The sandstone rock backdrop, the open-air summer night theatre, the arrival by cable ferry — all these elements make every visit a special experience. Those who love theatre and haven't yet discovered Saxon Switzerland should plan at least one performance in 2026.
Programme Felsenbühne Rathen 2026
Season Highlights 2026
Pippi Longstocking — Family Musical
- Premiere: May 16, 2026
- Astrid Lindgren's beloved heroine on the Felsenbühne
- Recommended for families aged 5+
Little Shop of Horrors — Cult Musical
- Premiere: May 30 and 31, 2026
- Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's cult musical about the bloodthirsty plant Audrey II
- Recommended for ages 12+
Der Freischütz — Romantic Opera
- Carl Maria von Weber's opera, set in the Bohemian forests
- The Wolf's Glen scene in the actual rock scenery
- Premiere and performance dates in the 2026 schedule
Other Productions (Selection, schedule to follow)
- Repertoire of the Landesbühnen Sachsen — drama, musical, opera, operetta
- Family programme and special events for the 90th anniversary on May 10, 2026
Performance Times
Performances typically in the evening at dusk; family performances often in the afternoon. Full schedule with all dates on landesbuehnen-sachsen.de.
Highlights Felsenbühne Rathen 2026
- 90th anniversary of the Felsenbühne Rathen (opened May 10, 1936)
- Natural theatre with spectacular sandstone rock scenery
- Pippi Longstocking — Family musical, premiere May 16
- Little Shop of Horrors — Cult musical, premiere May 30/31
- Der Freischütz — Opera in the actual Wolf's Glen setting
- Stands for 2,000 spectators
- Arrival by historic cable ferry across the Elbe
- In the Saxon Switzerland National Park
Prices Felsenbühne Rathen 2026
Ticket prices range from €18–€55 depending on the performance and category (drama usually cheaper, opera and musicals slightly more expensive). Discounted tickets for schoolchildren, students, and severely disabled persons. Advance sales from September 2025 via landesbuehnen-sachsen.de and box office at +49 351 89 54321.
Practical information — Felsenbühne Rathen
Date 2026
Season from May to September 2026. Season opening: May 10, 2026 (90th anniversary). Performance times vary — premieres include May 16 (Pippi Longstocking), May 30/31 (Little Shop of Horrors).
Location
Felsenbühne Rathen, im Wehlgrund, 01824 Kurort Rathen, District Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge.
Tickets
Online shop of the Landesbühnen Sachsen: landesbuehnen-sachsen.de. Box office: +49 351 89 54321. Advance sales for the 2026 season start in September 2025. Prices range from €18–€55 depending on the play and category.
Getting There
By train: S-Bahn S1 Dresden — Schöna to station Kurort Rathen (left Elbe bank). Then approx. 5 minutes walk to the historic cable ferry, cross to the right Elbe bank, then approx. 1 km uphill walk to the Felsenbühne. By car: Park-and-Ride in Oberrathen.
Weather
Performances are open-air. In case of rain, an alternative venue is used — tickets remain valid. Current weather information on the day of the performance on the festival website.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Felsenbühne Rathen al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Felsenbühne Rathen
Felsenbühne Rathen — Naturtheater im Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz
Felsenbühne Rathen, Kurort Rathen, 01824 Rathen