Mayen Castle Festival 2026
Season under the motto “HEIMAT! LOS!” – Theatre in the heart of the city
About Mayen Castle Festival 2026
For decades, the Mayen Castle Festival has been a cultural highlight of the summer in the Eifel region and northern Rhineland-Palatinate. Normally, the inner courtyard of the Genovevaburg, a medieval defensive tower and city landmark, is transformed into an open-air stage under the open sky. For the 2026 season, extensive renovations of the castle bring an unusual twist: the Castle Festival is moving into the heart of the city, to the forecourt of the Herz-Jesu-Kirche church and the Altes Arresthaus.
The motto of the 2026 season is “HEIMAT! LOS!” – a double meaning that hints at both local connection and the theme of departure. The artistic direction has put together a programme comprising seven productions, ranging from classic family plays to Shakespeare and opera.
The 2026 programme includes: Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (family play based on the Brothers Grimm), Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare in a modern production, The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as an open-air opera, the crime comedy Achtsam Morden based on the bestseller by Karsten Dusse, The Sorrows of Young Werther based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the family play Sterngarten, and Nothing. What Matters Most in Life based on Janne Teller – a poignant youth play. In addition, there are the so-called “Exxtras”: solo programmes, comedy nights, and special performances that complement the main programme.
The move into the city centre is an opportunity: theatre thus becomes an even more direct part of urban life. The forecourt of the Herz-Jesu-Kirche church offers a special backdrop with its neo-Gothic church architecture. The Altes Arresthaus, a former police building, serves as a second venue for more intimate productions.
Ticket sales began as early as December 1st, 2025 – proof of the great demand that the Castle Festival experiences every year. Those who want to secure seats for the main productions should not delay. The festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year from the entire region between Cologne, Koblenz, and Trier.
Mayen Castle Festival 2026 — edition 2026
The 2026 season is marked by the extraordinary change of venue: instead of the Genovevaburg courtyard, theatre will take place in the heart of Mayen's city centre in 2026. This temporary relocation is a creative response to the renovation work on the castle and allows for new encounters between theatre and urban space.
A total of seven main productions are planned, supplemented by the Exxtras series with comedy, solo programmes, and special performances. Performances are mainly held in the evening, with some family productions also in the afternoon.
Programme Mayen Castle Festival 2026 2026
Mayen Castle Festival 2026 programme under the motto “HEIMAT! LOS!” according to the Castle Festival:
- Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten – Family play based on the Brothers Grimm
- Was ihr wollt – Comedy by William Shakespeare
- Die Zauberflöte – Opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Open-air production)
- Achtsam Morden – Crime comedy based on the bestseller by Karsten Dusse
- Die Leiden des jungen Werther – Based on the epistolary novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- Sterngarten – Family production
- Nichts. Was im Leben wichtig ist – Youth play based on Janne Teller
- Exxtras: Solo programmes, comedy nights, special performances complementing the main programme
Detailed dates, cast, and start times at burgfestspiele-mayen.de/spielzeit-2026/.
Highlights Mayen Castle Festival 2026 2026
Prices Mayen Castle Festival 2026 2026
Practical information — Mayen Castle Festival 2026
2026 Season: Starts May 31st, 2026, season runs until the end of August 2026
2026 Venues: Forecourt of Herz-Jesu-Kirche (main venue) and Altes Arresthaus, both in Mayen city centre, 56727 Mayen. Note: The Genovevaburg is not available in 2026 due to renovation work.
Ticket Sales: Already started on December 1st, 2025, online at burgfestspiele-mayen.de/service/tickets/ and at the Mayen theatre box office.
Getting There: By car via the A 48 (Mayen exit) and A 61. By train to Mayen Ost or Mayen West. Parking available in the city centre car parks.
Organiser: Mayen Castle Festival, supported by the City of Mayen and the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Tip: Bring weatherproof clothing for open-air performances. In case of rain, performances are usually postponed or moved indoors.
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