Felsenbühne Rathen Festival

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.