Thierstein Castle Summer

A Castle Ruin as a Summer Stage

The Thierstein Castle Summer is the summer concert series of the Upper Franconian market town of Thierstein. The venue is the Thierstein Castle ruins, a defensive structure built in the 14th century in the Fichtelgebirge, which is now one of the most impressive castle remains in Northeast Bavaria. Since 2013, the castle wall has been spanned by a modern membrane roof construction, enabling weather-independent concerts and offering space for 150-200 guests.

Program Philosophy: Classical Meets Tributes

Unlike specialized open-airs, the Castle Summer focuses on conscious diversity – a different genre every weekend, each event as a unique experience. The 2026 program ranges from an all-stars concert and a classical chamber music festival to several established tribute bands from the Upper Franconian-Bavarian scene.

2026 Program Overview

• May 30, 2026 – Season opening with the Blue Indigo Allstars.
• June 6, 2026 – Sommerbühne, sketches and humorous program by the Thierstein amateur actors.
• June 14, 2026 – Hofer Symphoniker, entertaining chamber concert with string and wind ensembles.
• July 4, 2026 – Wanderkino (Traveling Cinema) from Leipzig with silent films from the era of Chaplin, Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy, accompanied live by violin and piano.
• August 1, 2026 – Love Buzz, tribute band to Nirvana, opens the tribute series of the Castle Summer season.
• August 15, 2026 – Stammheim, one of the few licensed Rammstein cover bands, incl. pyrotechnics.
• August 29, 2026 – Brother in Arms, Dire Straits tribute.
• Season finale – Sir Williams, tribute to Robbie Williams.

Atmosphere and Format

With 150-200 seats, the Castle Summer is not a festival in the sense of anonymous large open-air events, but a deliberately intimate format. The walled castle grounds with the castle tower and wall remnants, the membrane roof against rain, the small catering with sausages and drinks, the short distances – everything contributes to an atmospheric concert mood where the audience is close to the artists.

Thierstein and the Fichtelgebirge

The market town of Thierstein is located in the Wunsiedel district in the Fichtelgebirge, near the Czech border. The region and the castle are popular excursion destinations – those who attend a Castle Summer evening often combine it with a hike in the Fichtelgebirge or a visit to neighboring Wunsiedel. The main organizer is the market town of Thierstein itself, which compiles the program anew each year and publishes it on its website thierstein.de.