Schlossfestspiele Thurnau

Tenth Edition as Anniversary

The Schlossfestspiele Thurnau celebrate their 10th edition in 2026. From July 22 to August 2, 2026, the historic courtyard of Thurnau Castle will be transformed into an open-air stage for acting and music. The idea, developed in 2012 by actor and festival director Wolfgang Krebs, has long since become a fixture in the Franconian cultural summer.

Program 2026

• Wednesday, July 22 – Opening concert by the Bamberg band Oporto, whose style shifts between Blues, Folk, and Rock'n'Roll
• Sunday, July 26 to Sunday, August 2 – Main production: Comedy »Zwei wie wir« by Norm Foster (Canada's most performed comedy writer) with Kerstin Krefft (Neue Bühne Bruck) and René Oltmanns – known from film and television

Schlosstheater Thurnau

The organizer is the Schlosstheater Thurnau, a theater institution in the Upper Franconian market town of Thurnau that has existed for over a decade. Wolfgang Krebs founded the Schlosstheater in 2012; since then, a distinct theatrical tradition has been established around the castle courtyard. Previous summer productions such as »Die Tür nebenan« (with Kerstin Krefft and René Oltmanns) or »Extrawurst« have received supra-regional attention.

»Zwei wie wir« by Norm Foster

Norm Foster (born 1949) is Canada's most performed comedy writer, whose plays are regularly staged on North American stages. »Zwei wie wir« is one of his relationship comedies, featuring a characteristic mix of witty dialogue, a barrage of punchlines, and surprising depth. The German-language premiere in Thurnau adds an international touch.

Schloss Thurnau as a Backdrop

Schloss Thurnau in the district of Kulmbach is one of the largest castle ensembles in Upper Franconia. The historic castle courtyard offers an extraordinary open-air stage under the open sky – an intimate, acoustically favorable venue with a historic aura. Thurnau itself is a market town with around 4,000 inhabitants and has held market rights since the 13th century. Thurnau is also known for its pottery tradition and the annual Kirchweihen (church consecrations) around the Neptune fountain.

Ticket Sales and Operations

Ticket sales for the 10th Schlossfestspiele 2026 will begin in March 2026 online via the website schlosstheater-thurnau.de. In case of bad weather, performances will move to an alternative location.