Hermanns Festspiele Detmold

A Week of Comedy and Tribute Concerts at the Hermannsdenkmal

The Hermanns Festspiele is the most important open-air theatre and concert event in Ostwestfalen-Lippe. From Tuesday, July 7th to Monday, July 13th, 2026, the open-air stage on the Adlerwiese or Bismarckwiese — right at the foot of the famous Hermannsdenkmal — will host a week-long, carefully curated program of comedy, tribute concerts, and cabaret.

2026 Lineup — Confirmed Acts

The festival combines established comedy stars with tribute acts that bring generations together:

• Tuesday, July 7th: Wigald Boning & Bernhard Hoecker — „Gute Frage" (Improv show; audience questions are posed and discussed live)
• Wednesday, July 8th: Wigald Boning & Bernhard Hoecker — „Gute Frage" (second show)
• Thursday, July 9th: „Darf ich noch auf eine Ohrfeige mitrauf kommen?" — Relationship comedy
• Friday, July 10th: Hans-Joachim Heist — Heinz-Erhardt-Abend (poems, monologues, songs)
• Saturday, July 11th: Adele Tribute Show „Hello — Ein Adele Abend"
• Sunday, July 12th: ABBA Tribute „Dancing Queen Fever" (with authentic 1970s costumes and lighting effects)
• Monday, July 13th: Jürgen Becker — „Deine Disco" (Radio-style cabaret with politics, records, protest)

The Hermannsdenkmal as a Backdrop

Few events in Germany have a comparable backdrop: The Hermannsdenkmal on the Grotenburg in the Teutoburg Forest, at 53.46 meters, is one of Germany's tallest monuments — a giant bronze statue of the Cheruscan chief Arminius (Hermann), who defeated three Roman legions in 9 AD, completed in 1875. The Adlerwiese / Bismarckwiese directly below the monument is the natural stage location — forest, hills, statue in the background.

Weather Independence

An important feature: 50% of the seats are covered. This makes the festival largely weather-independent — performances are secure even with the unpredictable East Westphalian July weather.

Detmold and the Lippe District

Detmold is the district town of the Lippe district with around 75,000 inhabitants, a historic residential city with a well-preserved old town. The Hermannsdenkmal is located just outside the city in the Teutoburg Forest — a traditional hiking and excursion destination. Visitors to the festival can combine their visit with a hike through the Teutoburg Forest or a stroll through Detmold's old town.

Tickets and Ordering

Tickets are available via the LZ-Tickethotline (05231 911113), the festival website, or Eventim. Reserved seating is standard — there are no standing places.

State of North Rhine-Westphalia — Teutoburg Forest

In the state of NRW, the Teutoburg Forest is one of the most scenically attractive low mountain range areas. The Hermanns Festspiele turn it into a cultural summer destination, complementing the region's tourist offerings (Externsteine, Adlerwarte Berlebeck, LandesGartenSchau themes).