Picknick Open-Air Cinema Elmshorn

Film Art Under the Starry Sky

The Picknick Open-Air Cinema is one of Elmshorn's most beautiful summer events. Instead of a classic summer cinema on a meadow, the city marketing team focuses on a unique location: the Sculpture Garden at the Torhaus. Sculptures, trees, a historic gatehouse — when the screen is set up and the picnic blankets are spread on the lawn, an atmosphere is created that is unique in the region.

Three Film Evenings

The series includes three Friday evenings:

• Friday, June 19, 2026 — Kick-off of the summer cinema season
• Friday, July 3, 2026 — Second film evening
• Friday, July 17, 2026 — Season finale

The films will be announced in the weeks before each evening; the program is classically sophisticated — a mix of current independent films, classics, and audience favorites.

Evening Schedule

An open-air cinema evening in Elmshorn begins early enough to experience the twilight:

• 8:00 PM — Admission: Setting up your own blankets or folding chairs, catering by Jim Coffey, bringing your own picnic items allowed
• Before 9:00 PM — Tombola deadline: Those who arrive before 9 PM can enter the draw for 10 filled picnic baskets per evening
• Before 10:00 PM — Live music pre-show on a small stage
• Approx. 10:00 PM — Film start, as soon as darkness falls

Bring or Buy?

Unlike many open-air cinemas, bringing your own food and drinks is expressly permitted — the spirit of the "picnic" concept is taken seriously. Those who don't want to prepare anything can find catering by Jim Coffey on site: snacks, small dishes, drinks. Seating is limited, so bringing a blanket or folding chair is advisable.

Elmshorn — District Town on the Krückau River

Elmshorn is a district town with around 50,000 inhabitants in the Pinneberg district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, about 35 kilometers northwest of Hamburg. The city center around Buttermarkt and Marktstraße has developed a lively event profile in recent years — the Elmshorn Music Night, the Winter Light Market, and the Picknick Open-Air Cinema are among the annual highlights. The Sculpture Garden at the Torhaus is part of this revitalization and one of the city's most beautiful outdoor spaces.