Musical Sommer Fulda — Der Schimmelreiter

Spotlight Musicals and the Fulda Musical Summer

For over two decades, Musical Sommer Fulda by Spotlight Musicals GmbH has been one of the most ambitious independent musical productions in the German-speaking world. The season's headquarters is the Schlosstheater Fulda — an 18th-century theatre gem, built into a former riding arena, with a ceiling made of 75,000 Murano glass rods. In addition, there is the open-air stage at Domplatz, which will take on a whole new dimension for the opening of the Hessentag in 2026.

Der Schimmelreiter — World Premiere 2026

The 2026 production is the in-house creation “Der Schimmelreiter”, based on the novella by Theodor Storm — freely adapted as a mystery musical. It tells the story of the young dike master Hauke Haien, who fights against the superstition of the North Frisian marshland with reason and mathematics — until he encounters a mysterious pale horse that draws him into a vortex of fate and the supernatural. “A story full of suspense, mystery, and eerie beauty,” writes the production. The show runs at the Schlosstheater Fulda — and can be seen from May 30 to August 30, 2026.

Hessentag 2026 — the Spotlight Gala

To mark the opening of the 63rd Hessentag on June 11 and 12, 2026, the open-air stage at Fulda's Domplatz will become the largest musical stage in Hesse: 60 meters of stage width, over 6,000 seats, state-of-the-art stage technology. The program features the “Best of Spotlight” Gala — hits from over 20 years of Spotlight musicals, performed by the Kölner Symphoniker, a concert choir, and several guest stars from the German musical scene. “A musical firework display under the open sky,” promises the event.

The Schlosstheater Fulda — A Gem Behind a Baroque Facade

Visitors to Der Schimmelreiter should allow 15 minutes extra — just for the foyer, the ceiling, and the feeling of sitting in one of Hesse's most beautiful small theatres. The former riding arena was converted into the court theatre of the Prince-Bishop of Fulda in the late 18th century; the Murano glass ceiling is original.

Hotel and Musical Package

The Spotlight hotel packages start from €159 per person in a double room and include overnight stay with breakfast, musical admission, and a guided city tour of Fulda. Those arriving from Frankfurt, Kassel, or Würzburg often combine Schimmelreiter and Hessentag with a short break in the East Hessian cathedral city.