Freilichtspiele Neuenstadt am Kocher 2026

Open-Air Theatre in the Moat Since 1958

In front of the Neuenstadt am Kocher Renaissance Castle, one of Württemberg's most elegant 16th-century castle complexes, lies the historic castle moat. Since 1958, this moat has been transformed into an open-air theatre stage every summer: The Freilichtspiele Neuenstadt am Kocher is one of Southern Germany's most traditional summer theatre festivals. Over 20,000 visitors attend each season — a number that makes the festival one of Baden-Württemberg's most successful small-town open-air theatres.

2026 Season — Comedy and Family Theatre

The 2026 season runs from June 12 to July 26 and features two productions with different profiles. The first production — "The Day the Pope Was Kidnapped" — is a comedy by the Brazilian playwright João Bethencourt, adapted and directed by Sebastian Kreutz (Baden-Württemberg State Actor). The story: Sam Leibowitz, a Jewish taxi driver in New York, impulsively kidnaps the Pope and demands a day of world peace for his release. A witty comedy about faith, politics, and human weaknesses.

The second production — "Michel in the Soup Tureen" based on Astrid Lindgren's Michel stories — is the family play of the season, suitable for ages 5 and up. Directed by Lars Tönnies, who has successfully staged family plays for the Freilichtspiele in recent years. Astrid Lindgren's Michel — the Swedish rascal with his pranks in the "Tullinge" — is ideally suited for an open-air production in the castle moat.

The Stage in the Moat

The stage is newly erected in the castle moat every spring — a custom-built open-air theatre with tiered seating, professional lighting design, and a stage that uses the Renaissance Castle as a historic backdrop. In case of rain, performances are held on an emergency stage or postponed. The acoustics of the castle moat are excellent: the walls reflect sound, and the silence of the small town in the evening allows every word to be understood.

Previous Season — "Dracula" — as a Contrast

The 2025 season staged "Dracula" in a modern production — the Freilichtspiele Neuenstadt's genre range thus extends from horror classics to comedies and family theatre. This diversity is a hallmark of the festival and explains its success in the regional theatre calendar. With the 2026 season, the festival returns to its original double-production format: one play for adults, one for families.

Neuenstadt am Kocher — Small Town in Hohenlohe

Neuenstadt am Kocher, with around 9,500 inhabitants, is a town in the Heilbronn district, located in the southern Hohenlohe region on the Kocher river. It is known primarily for its Renaissance Castle, built in the late 16th century for the Württemberg-Neuenstadt line of Württemberg, and for the Freilichtspiele, which have brought summer theatre to its castle moat for almost 70 years. The small-town atmosphere, high theatrical quality, and historic setting make the Freilichtspiele one of Southern Germany's most charming festival formats.