Wetzlarer Festspiele
Theatre, concert and cabaret festival on the Rosengärtchen open-air stage since 1953
About Wetzlarer Festspiele
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Hesse's Oldest Summer Open-Air Stage
The Wetzlarer Festspiele are among the oldest summer festivals in Hesse — they have been held every summer in Wetzlar on the Lahn since 1953. The 73rd edition in 2026 runs under the motto "Live is Beautiful". The organizer is Wetzlarer Festspiele e.V. in cooperation with the City of Wetzlar.
Three Venues
The festival uses three locations in the heart of the Goethe town:
- Freilichtbühne Rosengärtchen — the main open-air venue, located in a park below Wetzlar's old town. Major theatre and music productions take place here.
- Lottehof — a historic courtyard in the old town, for more intimate concerts and cabaret.
- Stadthalle Wetzlar — an indoor alternative for concerts in case of bad weather and for larger concert formats.
2026 Programme — Theatre, Music, Cabaret
The 2026 programme covers the festival's traditional three-genre model:
- Opening June 25, 2026: "Cabaret", a production by the Westfälisches Landestheater — the classic by Kander/Ebb about Berlin in the late Weimar Republic.
- June 9, 2026: "A Scottish Night" with Scottish music, bagpipes, and Highland atmosphere.
- July 17, 2026: "The Music of Phil Collins & Genesis" — cover concert (already largely sold out).
- July 18, 2026: "Arschbombe Olé" with Mirja Boes.
- Further plays: "Das Schulkonzert", "Der Besuch der alten Dame" (Friedrich Dürrenmatt), "Jazz meets Classic".
- Cabaret: Performances by Max Uthoff and productions by Stachelschweine (Berlin) and Distel Kabarett-Theater.
Advance Sales and Prices
Advance ticket sales for the 2026 season started on November 13, 2025, at 10 AM. Price range: €7 to €45.90 depending on the play, category, and venue. Several performances are already sold out.
Goethe Town Wetzlar
Wetzlar is known as the Goethe town — the young Johann Wolfgang von Goethe spent several months here in 1772, and his experiences with Charlotte Buff inspired the novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther". The Lottehof is named after this very Charlotte Buff. The festival benefits from this literary aura, making Wetzlar the perfect summer city for theatre and concerts.
Wetzlarer Festspiele — edition 2026
Two months of programming spread across three venues. Advance ticket sales have been ongoing since November 13, 2025. Several concerts and productions were sold out weeks before the festival began.
Programme Wetzlarer Festspiele 2026
Opening
- June 25, 2026 — "Cabaret", Westfälisches Landestheater, Rosengärtchen open-air stage. Opening production of the 73rd season.
Theatre (Selection)
- "Der Besuch der alten Dame" — Friedrich Dürrenmatt
- "Das Schulkonzert"
Concerts and Music
- June 9, 2026 — "A Scottish Night" with Scottish music, bagpipes, Highland programme
- July 17, 2026 — "The Music of Phil Collins & Genesis" cover concert (already largely sold out)
- "Jazz meets Classic"
Cabaret and Comedy
- July 18, 2026 — Mirja Boes: "Arschbombe Olé"
- Max Uthoff with political cabaret
- Stachelschweine Berlin with guest performance
- Distel Kabarett-Theater with current programme
Venues
- Freilichtbühne Rosengärtchen (Main stage, open air)
- Lottehof (Courtyard, smaller formats)
- Stadthalle Wetzlar (Indoor / Weather backup)
Highlights Wetzlarer Festspiele 2026
- 73rd season under the motto "Live is Beautiful"
- "Cabaret" as the opening production
- Mirja Boes and Max Uthoff in the cabaret programme
- Rosengärtchen venue below the old town
Prices Wetzlarer Festspiele 2026
Tickets €7–€45.90 per production (depending on venue and category). Advance sales via wetzlarer-festspiele.de, phone 06441 22601, Eventim, and Reservix. Subscription packages and group bookings possible.
Practical information — Wetzlarer Festspiele
2026 Season
June 1st to August 1st, 2026 — performances spread over two months. Daily updated schedules at wetzlarer-festspiele.de.
Tickets
Advance sales started on 13.11.2025. Prices €7 to €45.90 per play and category. Tickets via wetzlarer-festspiele.de, by phone at 06441 22601, and via Eventim/Reservix. Subscription packages and group bookings available. Some concerts (incl. Phil Collins/Genesis tribute) already sold out.
Getting Here
By train: Wetzlar station (ICE stop), 15 minutes' walk to the open-air stage. By car via A45/A480 (Wetzlar-Ost exit). Parking available in the city centre.
Weather Policy
In case of rain, performances will be moved to the Stadthalle Wetzlar (for some productions) — this will be communicated in advance.
Organizers
Wetzlarer Festspiele e.V. and City of Wetzlar, Web wetzlarer-festspiele.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Wetzlarer Festspiele
Freilichtbühne Rosengärtchen / Lottehof / Stadthalle Wetzlar
Freilichtbühne Rosengärtchen + Lottehof + Stadthalle, 35576 Wetzlar