Sommerbühne Bremerhaven
Open-air culture stage in front of the City Theatre at Theodor-Heuss-Platz
About Sommerbühne
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Culture under the open sky
When summer arrives in Bremerhaven, culture moves outdoors. For around five weeks, the Sommerbühne takes over Theodor-Heuss-Platz directly in front of the City Theatre. On a stage up to 100 square metres and before a grandstand with over 300 seats, a programme of theatre, readings, performances, and music unfolds – a summer highlight in the cultural calendar of the state of Bremen.
A theatre with a rich history
The Bremerhaven City Theatre was founded as early as 1867 – only about four decades after the city's founding. The current building at Theodor-Heuss-Platz opened on October 1, 1911, based on designs by Berlin architect Oskar Kaufmann, with Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was almost completely destroyed in a heavy air raid on September 18, 1944; reconstruction began in 1950, and the theatre celebrated its reopening on April 12, 1952. After extensive renovations and extensions around 1999/2000, it is now one of the most modern city theatres in Germany. Those experiencing open-air culture in front of this facade are seated before a building with almost 160 years of theatrical history.
A programme from multiple institutions
The Sommerbühne is supported by the cultural institutions around Theodor-Heuss-Platz: the Bremerhaven City Theatre, the Bremerhaven City Library, and the Art Association with its Art Gallery and Art Museum, in collaboration with the Seestadt's Cultural Office. Since 2023, the partners have been curating a comprehensive and varied programme each year. The heart of the event is a summer production by the City Theatre – in 2026, Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector. This is complemented by readings from the City Library, ranging from crime novels to non-fiction, formats from the Art Association such as the Kunstkarussell (Art Carousel), and special events like the Long Night of Culture.
Seestadt atmosphere
Theodor-Heuss-Platz is located in the heart of Bremerhaven, the young Seastadt with its distinct maritime tradition. The Sommerbühne uses this central location to make culture accessible and enjoyable under the open sky – a relaxed summer meeting point for the entire city, where high culture and a casual open-air atmosphere naturally come together.
Sommerbühne — edition 2026
For the Sommerbühne 2026, the Bremerhaven City Theatre will perform Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector, with a preview on June 2, premiere on June 5, and further performances in June. The City Library will present several readings from crime novels to non-fiction, the Art Association will bring the Kunstkarussell to the Sommerbühne, and there will be formats like the Long Night of Culture. The stage and grandstand are located in front of the City Theatre at Theodor-Heuss-Platz.
Programme Sommerbühne 2026
May 30 to June 28, 2026 — Theodor-Heuss-Platz in front of the Bremerhaven City Theatre
Five weeks of open-air culture on a stage up to 100 square metres, with a grandstand seating over 300 spectators in front. The City Theatre, City Library, Art Association, and Cultural Office jointly animate the square.
Opening & Supporting Programme
- Sat 30.05. — Bremerhaven Sings (Sing-along opening)
- Sat 06.06. — KUNSTKARUSSELL goes SOMMERBÜHNE (Art Association Bremerhaven)
- Mon 08.06. — Reading with Dennis Gastmann: Orient-Express – An Adventure (City Library)
- Sat 13.06. — Long Night of Culture
- Tue 16.06. — Reading with Heinz Strunk: Kein Geld kein Glück kein Sprit (No Money No Luck No Fuel) (City Library)
Theatre Production: The Government Inspector (Nikolai Gogol, adapted by John von Düffel)
- Tue 02.06., 7:00 PM — Preview (Free admission)
- Fri 05.06., 8:00 PM — Premiere
- Sat 06.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Sun 07.06., 6:00 PM — Performance
- Thu 11.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Fri 12.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Sun 14.06., 6:00 PM — Performance
- Fri 19.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Sat 20.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Sun 21.06., 6:00 PM — Performance
- Thu 25.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Fri 26.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Sat 27.06., 8:00 PM — Performance
- Sun 28.06., 6:00 PM — Final Performance & Season Finale
Plot: In a provincial town rife with corruption, a government inspector from the capital is announced. A young man quickly realizes he only needs to play the wrong role to make a fortune. Tickets and all further dates via the Stadttheater Bremerhaven.
Highlights Sommerbühne 2026
Prices Sommerbühne 2026
Practical information — Sommerbühne
Getting there
Theodor-Heuss-Platz is centrally located in Bremerhaven, directly in front of the City Theatre, and is easily accessible by public transport.
Tickets
Separate tickets are required for the theatre performances and individual programme items, available through the Bremerhaven City Theatre; parts of the supporting programme are free to attend.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Sommerbühne
Theodor-Heuss-Platz vor dem Stadttheater Bremerhaven
Theodor-Heuss-Platz, 27568 Bremerhaven