Gandersheim Abbey Festival 2026

Open-Air Theatre in Front of a Thousand-Year-Old Collegiate Church

The Gandersheim Abbey Festival was founded in 1959 and has since been an integral part of the German open-air theatre scene. The venue is the open-air stage in front of the Bad Gandersheim collegiate church – one of the oldest sacred buildings in Northern Germany and a testament to early medieval female rule in Saxony. The Gandersheim Abbey, founded in the 9th century, was home to the poet Roswitha of Gandersheim, considered the first German female poet.

The 67th Season Under the Motto What If...

The 2026 season is under the questioning motto 'What If...' and thus addresses a fundamental theme of theatre: the possibility of exploring alternative realities in the imagination. Four productions on the open-air stage and one studio production form the main programme, supplemented by the special series 'Freitags im Zelt' with late-night performances starting at 10:30 PM.

Pinocchio as a Family Play

Premiere on June 14, 2026: the family play Pinocchio in a new production for all ages. The story of the wooden boy who wants to become human has been a classic of children's literature since Carlo Collodi's original.

Come Together — The Great Beatles Show

Premiere on June 19, 2026: a musical tribute to the Beatles, celebrating the musical legacy of the Fab Four.

The Eight Women — Crime Comedy

Premiere on June 26, 2026: The crime comedy 'Die Acht Frauen', known from François Ozon's film adaptation, features eight women who are confronted with a murder in a snowbound country house – and suspect each other.

Hello Dolly! — Musical

Premiere on July 3, 2026: The American musical classic 'Hello Dolly!' with hits like the title song, in a production that musically lives up to the grand scale of the Abbey Festival.

Studio Stage and Special Series

From July 23, the adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' will be shown on the studio stage. The special series 'Freitags im Zelt' takes place on July 17, 24, and 31, each starting at 10:30 PM – an intimate format for night owls and culture lovers.