Schloss-Spiele Hohenlimburg

72 Years of Open-Air Festivals at a Medieval Castle

The Schloss-Spiele Hohenlimburg are among Westphalia's oldest continuously existing open-air festivals — founded in 1954 by the Freundeskreis Schloss-Spiele Hohenlimburg e.V., they have taken place every summer for over seven decades in the courtyard of Hohenlimburg Castle. The medieval castle complex towers over the Hohenlimburg district in Hagen's south, forming one of the region's most impressive festival backdrops. The festival is led by association chairman Carsten Kunz and artistic director Dario Weberg.

Motto 2026 — "DemokratieLeben"

The 72nd edition is under the motto "DemokratieLeben" (Living Democracy) — a common thread running through the entire program from August 28 to September 12, 2026. At its heart is Ferdinand von Schirach's much-discussed legal drama "Terror", in which the audience ultimately votes on the verdict — a direct-democratic theatre experience that brings the festival motto to the stage. Directed by Dario Weberg, it is performed by the Schloss-Spiele ensemble.

The 2026 Program at a Glance

Opening Weekend (August 28–30, 2026)

• Dario Weberg — Film Night as festival opening with the host and artistic director
• "Terror" by Ferdinand von Schirach — Premiere by the Schloss-Spiele ensemble, audience as jury
• Ecumenical Service to conclude the opening weekend

First Festival Week

• Dominik Schirmer "Beatles Show" — Tribute to the legendary Liverpool band (September 1)
• "Deutschland mon amour" — A revue where literature, music, heart, and mind meet
• 8th Celtic Night with Irish-Celtic bands (September 5)
• Jazz Matinee with the Bourbon Street Stompers (September 6)

Second Festival Week

• Comedy and cabaret with guests such as Günna and Jörg Hammerschmidt
• Open-Air Cinema: "Extrawurst" starring Hape Kerkeling
• Children's theatre and a reading competition for fourth graders
• Closing concert with Mister Meier & Band

Hohenlimburg Castle Courtyard as a Stage

The courtyard of Hohenlimburg Castle is a festival backdrop rarely found in Germany: a completely preserved hilltop castle from the 13th century, whose inner courtyard becomes a natural open-air arena. The castle and venue are part of the industrial, lime, and mining heritage of the southern Ruhr area — Hohenlimburg was an important industrial site in the 19th century, and the nearby Lenne river still powers a significant forge today. The castle was first mentioned in 1242 and has been a museum since 1808.

Hagen as a Festival Location

Hagen, the "Gateway to the Sauerland," is the largest city on the southeastern edge of the Ruhr area, with almost 190,000 inhabitants. The Hohenlimburg district is an independent settlement with its own identity, nestled between the Lenne valley and the Sauerland foothills. Visitors to the festival can combine it with a day trip to the region: the moated castle Werdringen, the Westphalian Open-Air Museum Hagen, and the Karl Ernst Osthaus Museum are reachable within 20–30 minutes.