Weinheim Summer of Culture

Stage with Castle Backdrop

Since 1988, the Weinheim Summer of Culture has been one of the defining summer festivals on the Hessian-Baden Bergstraße. The organizer is the Cultural Office of the City of Weinheim, which compiles a program of around 30 concerts and performances each year between early July and early August. The venue is the Hinterer Schlosshof at Obertorstraße 9 — a baroque architectural stage behind Weinheim Castle, with seating for around 1,000 spectators.

What Makes the Summer of Culture Special

The Summer of Culture is explicitly conceived as a curated community festival: no single mega-headliner concerts, but a broad mix of established artists, curated newcomers, and family programming. Ticket prices are moderate (typically €19–€35, some dates free), the program is published in spring and usually goes on pre-sale via Reservix. In case of bad weather, most acts move to the Stadthalle — the Hinterer Schlosshof itself is not covered.

Genre Diversity — 2026 as an Example

The 39th edition typically showcases this breadth. Confirmed acts:

• Marina & The Kats (July 2, opening, free admission) — Viennese Indie-Swing trio
• Beat Poetry Club (July 11, €19) — A Cappella Soul-Pop from Vienna, female vocal quartet
• Gankino Circus (July 24, €24) — Bavarian-Moravian concert cabaret
• Tribute Weekend: Queen Show (July 30), ABBA Tribute (July 31), Dieter Thomas Kuhn Tribute (August 1)
• Further acts and readings focusing on Jazz, Classical, and Singer-Songwriter will be announced continuously

Fairy Tale Castle and Children's Program

A separate sub-series is aimed at families:

• "Märchenschloss Weinheim" (Fairy Tale Castle Weinheim) on July 18 — Storytellers from different countries tell fairy tales in the castle courtyard
• Children's Workshop with Beat Poetry Club around the concert date
• "Dschungelparty" (Jungle Party) — interactive performance for children aged 6 to 10
• Several other family dates spread over the five weeks

Weinheim — City Between Bergstraße and Odenwald

With around 45,000 inhabitants, Weinheim is one of the largest cities in the Rhein-Neckar district (AGS 08226). Its location at the transition from the Bergstraße to the Odenwald, its two castles (Wachenburg, Windeck), and the castle with its park make it one of the most beautiful towns on the Bergstraße. The Summer of Culture in the Hinterer Schlosshof has been a fixture of the summer program for decades — and is an important promotional asset for the city's marketing strategy for the entire region.