27th International Puppet Theatre Festival Elbe-Elster

Ten Days of Puppet Theatre in Southern Brandenburg

When the curtain rises for the opening in Finsterwalde on Friday, September 18, 2026, one of Germany's most traditional puppet theatre festivals begins: the 27th International Puppet Theatre Festival Elbe-Elster. For ten days, until Sunday, September 27, the southern Brandenburg district of Elbe-Elster transforms into a decentralized festival area: over 20 companies from Germany and abroad will perform at more than 40 venues in Doberlug-Kirchhain, Finsterwalde, Bad Liebenwerda, Herzberg, and numerous smaller villages in the region.

Opening in Finsterwalde — and Three Fixed Highlights

The festival follows a clear program rhythm with three fixed highlights:

• September 18, 2026 — Opening in Finsterwalde: Ceremonial act with the first program items in the "city of singers." Finsterwalde, the largest town in the district, hosts several classic event venues and traditionally marks the starting point.
• September 25, 2026 — "Long Night of Puppet Theatre" in Doberlug-Kirchhain: An entire night of marionette, shadow, and object theatre at several venues in the twin town. A must-attend event for puppet theatre enthusiasts, attracting visitors from Berlin, Dresden, and Leipzig annually.
• September 27, 2026 — Kasper Café in Bad Liebenwerda: Festival closing at the seat of the organizing Central German Marionette Theatre Museum. Classic Kasper theatre in a café format — accessible, family-friendly, and rooted in tradition.

Program — Shadow, Objects, Performance

The festival's profile extends far beyond classic marionette theatre: shadow theatre, object theatre (where everyday objects become actors), and performance formats complement the region's marionette theatre heritage. The companies come from all over Germany and several European countries — the festival's international networking is one of its hallmarks. The detailed program with companies, venues, and times will be published in June 2026, with advance ticket sales starting on July 1, 2026, at puppentheaterfestival-ee.de.

250+ Years of Puppet Theatre Tradition in Elbe-Elster

What surprises many visitors: The Elbe-Elster district has a puppet theatre tradition spanning over 250 years. Traveling troupes roamed the villages since the 18th century, and in the 19th century, one of the most significant East German marionette theatre workshops was established in Bad Liebenwerda — now home to the Central German Marionette Theatre Museum, which also organizes the festival. This deep regional rootedness gives the festival a character that comparable festivals in big cities cannot offer: it is not just an art festival, but a continuation of a local cultural tradition.

Decentralization as a Concept

The distribution across over 40 venues in different towns and villages is programmatic. Those who visit the festival travel through the Elbe-Elster district — between Lusatia and Lutherstadt Wittenberg, southwest of Berlin. This mobility makes the festival a journey of discovery not only into puppet theatre but also into a region that is somewhat off the main tourist routes. Venues include classic theatre halls, cultural centers, schools, village community halls, sometimes churches, or unusual locations like barns.

Getting There and Organizers

The Elbe-Elster district is located in southern Brandenburg, on the border with Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Travel from Berlin by car via the A 13 (towards Dresden), exit Bronkow, then continue to Doberlug-Kirchhain. The region is accessible by train via the Berlin–Dresden and Cottbus–Leipzig lines. The organizer is the Central German Marionette Theatre Museum in Bad Liebenwerda, which also serves as the festival headquarters, information, and program center.