Kultursommer Nordschwarzwald 2026

A Festival for an Entire Region

Kultursommer Nordschwarzwald is one of Southern Germany's most ambitious regional festivals. For over a month, from July 16 to August 16, 2026, more than 100 events will take place across the districts of Calw, Enzkreis, and Pforzheim, as well as adjacent areas. The sixth edition in 2026 continues the established concept of bundling cultural productions from diverse genres under one umbrella: music, theatre, visual arts, literature, dance, and street art.

Opening on July 16 at Schloss Neuenbürg

The official opening of Kultursommer 2026 will take place on Thursday, July 16, at Schloss Neuenbürg. The opening ceremony begins at 5:00 PM with the mayors of the participating towns and municipalities, as well as the region's patron. At 6:30 PM, the opening concert with Jonas Gavriil — one of the hottest young singers in the Southern German soul and pop scene — will follow. Schloss Neuenbürg, a medieval hilltop castle above the Enz valley, provides a symbolically fitting backdrop.

Festivals within the Festival

Several established festivals are part of the Kultursommer program: The ENZ live Festival (July 8–26, 2026) with a floating stage on the Enz river in Pforzheim; the Happiness Festival in Straubenhardt (July 16–18, attracting approx. 8,500 fans) featuring indie, rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music; the Klostersommer in Kloster Hirsau with concerts by Chris de Burgh and a dIRE sTRATs tribute band; the BelCanto Festival Rossini in Wildbad with high-caliber operetta performances; and the Schäferlauf Wildberg, a traditional folk customs event.

Open-Air Theatre

A particularly beautiful program highlight is the theatre production "Around the World in Eighty Days" at the Zavelstein castle ruins — a full-scale open-air staging in one of the most impressive Black Forest castles. From July 31 to August 1, the street theatre festival "Sommersprossen" will take place in Pforzheim's city center, featuring acrobats, clowns, musicians, and experimental theatre formats. The Black Forest town transforms into an open stage for a weekend.

Classical and Chamber Music

Classical concerts are spread across several venues: Chamber orchestras and organ concerts will be held at Kloster Hirsau, one of the most significant ruins from the Hirsau reform movement era. Soloists and choirs will perform in the town churches of Calw, Pforzheim, Freudenstadt, and Bad Wildbad. A special series is dedicated to Hermann Hesse, who was born in Calw — readings and concert programs focusing on his work will be presented at the Hesse Museum.

Visual Arts — Ortszeit "Freiheit"

Parallel to the music and theatre program, the 15th edition of Ortszeit presents contemporary art from the region. The motto for 2026 is "Freiheit" (Freedom). Over 30 artists from the Nordschwarzwald and beyond will exhibit their works in galleries, former industrial buildings, churches, and public spaces. Open studio weekends will allow for direct exchange with the artists in their studios.