Name: Hilpoltsteiner Burgspiel 2026
Start: 2026-07-17T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-09T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Burgruine Hilpoltstein

Burgspiel Hilpoltstein

About Burgspiel Hilpoltstein

High above the old town of Hilpoltstein, within the walls of the medieval castle ruins, the Hilpoltsteiner Burgspieler have been performing comedies every summer since 1946. Classic plays from theatre history – from Molière to Neil Simon – are staged in the natural open-air setting on one of Bavaria's most beautiful open-air stages. In 2026, the programme features "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon – a comedy about friendship, chaos, and the cohabitation of two women who couldn't be more different.

Dates 17 Jul — 09 Aug 2026

Venue Hilpoltstein (09576)

Prices 18.00€ — 25.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Burgspiel Hilpoltstein — edition 2026

Tickets →

In 2026, the Hilpoltsteiner Burgspieler will present "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon on the open-air stage in the castle ruins. Performances are spread across the July weekends and the first weekend of August, coinciding with the Hilpoltsteiner Burgfest (July 31 – August 3, 2026). Performances start at 8:30 PM. In case of rain, the venue will be moved.

The Play in 2026

"The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon is the feminine adaptation of the famous play "The Odd Couple". Two friends with fundamentally different lifestyles move in together and must learn how much tolerance and self-awareness friendship requires. One of Neil Simon's most popular comedies, translated for the German stage with precise witty dialogue.

Performance Dates

The Burgspieler traditionally perform the play on several Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in July and early August. Specific dates will be announced from April 2026 on the city website and at adticket.de. The schedule coincides with the Hilpoltsteiner Burgfest from July 31 to August 3, 2026.

Venue

Hilpoltstein Castle Ruins, open-air, performances start at 8:30 PM. In case of bad weather, an alternative venue will be used.

Highlights Burgspiel Hilpoltstein 2026

Neil Simon's comedy "The Odd Couple" as the 2026 production
Open-air theatre in the medieval castle ruins
80th anniversary of the Hilpoltsteiner Burgspieler since 1946
Performances start at 8:30 PM at dusk over the Franconian Lake District
Performance dates within the timeframe of the Hilpoltsteiner Burgfest

Programme Burgspiel Hilpoltstein 2026

2026 Schedule – "The Odd Couple"

Premiere: Mid/late July 2026 in the castle ruins
Subsequent performances: July weekends and the first weekend of August (in conjunction with the Burgfest July 31 – Aug 3)
Start time: 8:30 PM each evening
Duration: Approx. 2 hours including intermission

Cast & Direction

The Hilpoltsteiner Burgspieler are a volunteer ensemble from the town of Hilpoltstein. Direction, set design, and all roles are handled by ensemble members – professionals and amateurs together. Set design created specifically for the castle ruins.

Note on the Venue

Open-air performance in the historic castle ruins. Seating on numbered wooden benches. In case of rain risk, notification will be sent by email to ticket holders shortly before; tickets remain valid.

Detailed dates, ticket contingents, and accompanying program will be announced on hilpoltstein.de/burgfest and adticket.de.

Prices Burgspiel Hilpoltstein 2026

Tickets range from €18 to €25 depending on seating category, with discounts available. Advance sales via adticket.de and Hilpoltstein Tourist Information. Early bird tickets available from April 2026.

Practical information

Practical information — Burgspiel Hilpoltstein

Getting There

By car via the A9 (exit Hilpoltstein), then to the castle ruins. Parking available at the festival grounds below the castle. By train to Allersberg or Roth, then continue by bus. The last 200 metres to the castle ruins are uphill on foot.

Tickets

Tickets are available via adticket.de or the Hilpoltstein Tourist Information. Prices range from €18 to €25 depending on the category, with discounts available. Early bird tickets usually available from April.

Tip

Bring a blanket and a warm jacket – it can get cool in the castle ruins after sunset, even in midsummer. Enjoy a meal in one of the traditional inns in Hilpoltstein's old town before the performance.

Theatre in the Castle Ruins

The Hilpoltstein Castle Ruins are among the most impressive castle landscapes in Middle Franconia. Situated on a rocky spur above the town centre – remnants of the High Castle, powder tower, castle chapel, a courtyard where theatre began in the 1940s. Since 1946, the ensemble Hilpoltsteiner Burgspieler has been staging a comedy here every summer – an unbroken tradition that makes the Burgspiel one of Bavaria's oldest open-air theatres.

A Classic Comedy Repertoire

The Burgspiel specialises in comedies from all eras: Molière, Goldoni, Shakespeare, Nestroy, Ödön von Horváth, Dürrenmatt, Neil Simon – the spectrum is broad, the style always suitable for open-air performances. The performances are scheduled so that several shows take place in the castle ruins each summer, coinciding with the Hilpoltsteiner Burgfest in early August.

The Play in 2026: "The Odd Couple"

In 2026, the Burgspieler will stage "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon – the feminine version of the successful play "The Odd Couple". Olive Madison, a chaotic sports journalist, takes in her recently separated and exceedingly tidy friend Florence Unger. Their shared living space develops into a series of comical conflicts, where clichés, friendship, and human perseverance collide. One of Neil Simon's most famous comedies – ideal for the open-air stage.

Atmosphere of the Castle Ruins

Performances usually begin at 8:30 PM, as dusk settles over the Rothsee lake and the Franconian Switzerland. The castle walls form a natural backdrop that no stage set can replace. In case of rain, the performance is moved to the Hilpoltstein festival tent or the community centre – the Burgspiel ensemble organises this reliably.

Hilpoltstein – Town of Three Castles

Hilpoltstein is located in the Roth district, south of Nuremberg, in the Franconian Lake District. The town has 14,000 inhabitants and is famous for its three castles, the Burgfest with Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria, and its active club life. The Burgspiel, alongside the Burgfest, is the town's most important cultural calling card.