38th Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival
40 Years of Tradition — May 29 to 31, 2026, at Hohnstein Castle and in the town with around 50 performances for 2,500 to 3,000 visitors
About Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival
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Hohnstein — Home of German Puppet Art
Hohnstein is the birthplace of modern German puppet theatre. From the 1920s onwards, the puppeteer Max Jacob worked here, creating the famous Hohnstein puppets — carved wooden figures with expressive faces, of which the Hohnstein Kasper remains an icon of the German nursery today. Jacob established a workshop and a theatre in Hohnstein, which became the Max Jacob Theatre after his death in 1967. The Puppet Theatre Festival, founded in 1986, is the annual homage to this heritage — one of the oldest and most traditional puppet theatre events in Germany.
May 29–31, 2026 — 38th Edition, 40 Years of Tradition
The 38th Puppet Theatre Festival will take place from May 29 to 31, 2026 — celebrating 40 years of festival tradition (with two breaks due to the pandemic). It is organized by the town of Hohnstein in cooperation with the Max Jacob Theatre and a multitude of dedicated volunteers.
Around 20 Groups, 50 Performances
Over the weekend, around 20 puppet theatre groups from all over Germany will perform. They will present their programs at various venues — at Hohnstein Castle (courtyard, castle hall, smaller rooms), in the newly renovated castle garden, in the town hall courtyard, in the town church, and in the Max Jacob Theatre. A new performance begins every half and full hour. Visitors can put together their personal program, move between venues, take breaks in the alleys, visit the newly renovated castle garden, or enjoy the children's activities in the town hall courtyard.
For Children and Adults
Unlike some purely children's events, the Puppet Theatre Festival is aimed at both generations. There are programs for very young children (marionette fairy tales, hand puppets for kindergarten children), for schoolchildren, for families — and also programs exclusively for adults, with artistically demanding productions, satirical-political puppet theatre, or black theatre. Between performances, live music in the castle courtyard, storytellers, and children's activities in the town hall courtyard provide transitions.
Saxony, Saxon Switzerland, and Hohnstein
Hohnstein is located in the heart of Saxon Switzerland, one of Germany's most beautiful natural landscapes. The town has around 3,000 inhabitants and thrives on tourism and its puppet theatre tradition. The medieval Hohnstein Castle towers over the town and is now a hotel with event facilities. Besides the regular castle operations, the Puppet Theatre Festival is one of the three main highlights of Hohnstein's event year (along with the Christmas fairy tale sparkle and carnival at the castle).
Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival — edition 2026
May 29–31, 2026 — 38th Edition
The 2026 Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival celebrates 40 years of festival tradition. Over the weekend, around 20 puppet theatre groups will perform, giving about 50 shows at several venues in the town and at the castle. A new show begins every half and full hour — visitors can flexibly choose between the castle courtyard, castle hall, Max Jacob Theatre, town hall courtyard, and town church.
2,500 to 3,000 spectators from all over Saxony, the Ore Mountains, Berlin, and beyond are expected. Programs for very young children, schoolchildren, families, and adults. During intermissions, live music, storytellers, and children's activities provide atmospheric transitions.
Programme Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival 2026
Program May 29–31, 2026
Venues
- Hohnstein Castle: Courtyard (Open Air), Castle Hall, smaller rooms, newly renovated castle garden
- Max Jacob Theatre: most traditional venue, home of Hohnstein puppet art tradition
- Town Hall Courtyard: children's activities, smaller stages for open performances
- Town Church: programs with religious or meditative themes
Format
- A new performance begins every half and full hour
- Visitors flexibly assemble their program
- Intermission program: Live music in the castle courtyard, storytellers, children's games in the town hall courtyard
Performance Types
- Marionette fairy tales for very young children
- Hand puppet theatre in the tradition of the Hohnstein Kasper
- Family programs for children aged 6+ and parents
- Adult programs — sophisticated productions, satirical puppet theatre, black theatre
- Shadow play and animation forms
Exact program with hourly and venue schedule available from March 2026 on burg-hohnstein.de and hohnstein.de.
Highlights Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival 2026
- 38th edition, 40 years of festival tradition
- Around 20 puppet theatre groups from all over Germany
- Around 50 performances over the weekend
- Venues at Hohnstein Castle and in the town
- Freely selectable program — new show every half and full hour
- Programs for children and adults
- Homage to Max Jacob — the creator of the Hohnstein Kasper
- Live music in the castle courtyard as intermission program
Prices Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival 2026
Individual performances from approx. €6. Festival pass for the entire weekend approx. €25–€30, cheaper for concessions. Children pay less. Tickets available on-site and in advance from the Max Jacob Theatre and the Town of Hohnstein.
Practical information — Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival
Date
Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Venues
Hohnstein Castle (Courtyard, Castle Hall, Castle Garden), Max Jacob Theatre, Town Hall Courtyard, Hohnstein Town Church, other locations in the town center. Markt 1, 01848 Hohnstein.
Tickets
Individual performances from approx. €6, day tickets or festival passes are cheaper. Families receive discounts.
Getting There
By car via the B 172 Dresden–Bad Schandau, then turn off to Hohnstein. By train: S-Bahn S1 Dresden–Bad Schandau, then bus line 237 from Bad Schandau to Hohnstein. Parking spaces are signposted; continue on foot in the town center.
Organizers
Town of Hohnstein in cooperation with the Max Jacob Theatre Hohnstein.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Hohnstein Puppet Theatre Festival
Burg Hohnstein und Stadt Hohnstein
Markt 1, 01848 Hohnstein