35. Meininger Kleinkunsttage 2026
One of Thuringia's most traditional cabaret festivals — from January to October 2026 in Meiningen
About Meininger Kleinkunsttage
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Cabaret as Meiningen's Trademark — Since 1992
Meiningen boasts an extraordinary theatre tradition: The Meiningen Court Theatre under Duke Georg II revolutionized German theatre art in the 19th century. In this tradition, another format has been established since 1992: the Meininger Kleinkunsttage. Today, it is among the most traditional and renowned cabaret festivals in Thuringia. The programme combines cabaret, comedy, mime, musical stage shows, and humorous readings — bringing artists of national significance to Southern Thuringia.
The «Meininger Georg» — Thuringian Cabaret Prize
The festival traditionally celebrates the awarding of the Thuringian Cabaret Prize with the distinctive name «Meininger Georg» — an allusion to Duke Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen, the theatre duke of the 19th century. The award is endowed with €5,555.55. In 2026, the Swiss duo Elisabeth Hart & Rhaban Straumann will be honoured for their programme «Wollen Sie wippen?» (February 27, 2026). The award ceremony is always one of the first programme points of the season and simultaneously one of the most sought-after tickets.
Festival Structure Over Almost an Entire Year
A special feature of the Meininger Kleinkunsttage: It is not a concentrated week-long festival but spans an entire year — from January to October. There's a good reason for this: Instead of overloading the Volkshaus for ten days, the city of Meiningen distributes the highlight dates throughout the season's calendar. This gives each evening a special significance. The Volkshaus Meiningen (Landsberger Straße 2b) is the main venue, supplemented by the Kammerspiele and individual performances at the Kressehof Walldorf.
Highlights 2026 — From January to October
The 35th edition kicks off with Michael Hatzius and «Echsklusiv» (January 23). This is followed by the Cabaret-Theater Weimar with «Goethe Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten» (January 30), Die feisten with «Familienfest» (March 7), Backstreet Noise at the Kressehof Walldorf (March 15), Hans Gerzlich «Ich hatte mich jünger in Erinnerung» (March 26), Ingmar Stadelmann «Stadelmann liest Höcke» (May 3), Isabel Varell (September 11), Felice & Cortes (October 9), and Daniel Helfrich (October 16).
Meiningen — District of Schmalkalden-Meiningen
Meiningen is located in the Werra Valley in Southern Thuringia, in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, state of Thuringia. With around 20,000 inhabitants, the town is manageable — but its cultural offerings are known far beyond the region. Theatre tradition, Elisabethenburg Palace, the English Garden, and the Volkshaus form a dense cultural network into which the Kleinkunsttage have been organically woven for over three decades.
Meininger Kleinkunsttage — edition 2026
35th Meininger Kleinkunsttage 2026
The 35th edition features twelve confirmed programme items between January and October. The programme has been officially announced by the City of Meiningen, and ticket sales are underway. The focus is on the first half of the year, with the opening in January and the award ceremony at the end of February; autumn dates follow from September until the conclusion on October 16.
New in 2026: For the first time, the festival offers a subscription ticket for €89.50, covering five selected performances and offering savings of up to 30% compared to single tickets — an additional incentive for regular attendees and new discoverers.
Programme Meininger Kleinkunsttage 2026
35th Meininger Kleinkunsttage 2026 — Programme
January / February
- January 23, 2026 — Michael Hatzius «Echsklusiv»
- January 30, 2026 — Cabaret-Theater Weimar «Goethe Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten» (Faust I and II, Kammerspiele)
- February 27, 2026 — Awarding of the Thuringian Cabaret Prize «Meininger Georg» to Elisabeth Hart & Rhaban Straumann «Wollen Sie wippen?» (€5,555.55)
March / April / May
- March 7, 2026 — Die feisten «Familienfest» — two voices, humour, and music
- March 15, 2026 — Backstreet Noise «A drummed gangster satire full of surprises» (Kressehof Walldorf)
- March 26, 2026 — Hans Gerzlich «Ich hatte mich jünger in Erinnerung» (Best-Ager Programme)
- May 3, 2026 — Ingmar Stadelmann «Stadelmann liest Höcke» — politically sharp, satirically precise
September / October
- September 11, 2026 — Isabel Varell — Song and Stories (Autumn Kick-off)
- October 9, 2026 — Felice & Cortes
- October 16, 2026 — Daniel Helfrich (Season Finale)
Detailed programme, start times, and venues: meininger-kleinkunsttage.de and meiningen.de/kleinkunsttage.
Highlights Meininger Kleinkunsttage 2026
- 35th edition of the festival since 1992
- Awarding of «Meininger Georg» on February 27 (€5,555.55)
- Prize winners 2026: Elisabeth Hart & Rhaban Straumann
- Michael Hatzius, Ingmar Stadelmann, Die feisten
- Isabel Varell, Daniel Helfrich, Hans Gerzlich
- First-time subscription ticket €89.50 (5 performances)
- Volkshaus Meiningen as main venue
Prices Meininger Kleinkunsttage 2026
Single tickets depending on the programme. New in 2026: Subscription Ticket €89.50 for five selected performances — savings up to 30% compared to single tickets. Tickets via meininger-kleinkunsttage.de.
Practical information — Meininger Kleinkunsttage
Dates 2026
35th Meininger Kleinkunsttage: January 23 to October 16, 2026. The main period is spring (January–May); after the summer break, there are dates in September and October.
Location
Volkshaus Meiningen, Landsberger Straße 2b, 98617 Meiningen. Other venues: Kammerspiele, Kressehof Walldorf, depending on the programme item.
Tickets
Single tickets and subscription ticket (5 selected events for €89.50 — savings up to 30% compared to single tickets, offered for the first time in 2026). Tickets via meininger-kleinkunsttage.de and Meiningen advance booking offices.
Getting There
By train: Meiningen station on the Werrabahn line (Eisenach–Würzburg). By car: A71 exit Meiningen-Süd or Meiningen-Nord.
Organiser
City of Meiningen / Cultural Office, in cooperation with the Volkshaus Meiningen. Programme and tickets at meininger-kleinkunsttage.de and meiningen.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Meininger Kleinkunsttage al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Meininger Kleinkunsttage
Volkshaus Meiningen, Kammerspiele, weitere Spielstätten
Landsberger Straße 2b, 98617 Meiningen, 98617 Meiningen