Munich's renowned theatres attract world-class artists. The city's classical spoken theatre and grand music stages present their audience a new diverse and creative programme every season. Here is an overview of the premières in 2025/2026.
Residenztheater
Münchner Kammerspiele
Volkstheater
Nationaltheater
Staatstheater on Gärtnerplatz
Deutsches Theater
The Bavarian State Theatre, featuring the Residenztheater on Max-Joseph-Platz in the heart of the city, stands as one of the largest spoken theatres in the German-speaking region. In addition to the Residenztheater, affectionately called “Resi“ by Munich locals, the theatre is also home to the Cuvilliés-Theater and the Marstall.
Kasimir and Karoline, by Ödön von Horváth. Even during the global economic crisis, the Oktoberfest is a place of amusement and welcome distraction. However, the love of Kasimir, a dismissed chauffeur, and Karoline, an office worker, is put to the test here. As the hours tick by, the petty bourgeoisie seek solace in alcoholic excess and look into interpersonal abysses.
from September 26, 2025, tickets, residenztheater.de
After Midnight, based on the novel of the same name by Irmgard Keun and adapted for the stage by Cosmea Spelleken. The the story of two days in 1936. Nineteen-year-old Sanna takes refuge with her brother Algin, a blacklisted author. In between the parties, cafes and bars she begins to recognise that the world she lives in has been increasingly taken over by ideology.
from September 28, 2025, tickets, residenztheater.de
Salome, after Oscar Wilde in an adaptation by Jarosław Murawski. Based on Oscar Wilde's famous original, Polish director Ewelina Marciniak completely reinterprets the Salome story: in her version, Salome is no longer a scandalised femme fatale, but a young woman who tries to free herself from the constraints of her surroundings by any means necessary.
from October 15, 2025, tickets, residenztheater.de
Maria Stuart, by Friedrich Schiller. A classic drama, first performed in 1800, about the Queen of Scots who is chased out of the country and flees to England on suspicion of being an accessory to the murder of her husband.
from October 21, 2025, tickets, residenztheater.de
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. Elsa-Sophie Jach's production focuses on the spaces allocated not only to the hostile Mantague and Capulet families, but also to the sexes in this play about love and death.
from October 27, 2025, tickets, residenztheater.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Bavarian State Theatre.
The Münchner Kammerspiele on Maximilianstrasse is a municipal theatre, which itself can be described as a unique work of spatial art in the Art Nouveau style. Over the years, the theatre ensemble has included famous names like Therese Giehse and Heinz Rühmann. Berthold Brecht once directed here, and August Everding, Dieter Dorn, and Matthias Lilienthal have served as artistic directors. Barbara Mundel has been in charge of the Kammerspiele since the 2020/21 season.
Wallenstein, a slaughter feast in seven courses adapted from Friedrich Schiller. The story of Wallenstein, one of the most successful mercenary leaders in history, has much to tell us about our current wide and dirty panorama of wars and is highly topical about the structures of power, hubris and loyalty. Amongst all the dealmaking, are there any strategies for peace?
from October 4, 2025, tickets, muenchner-kammerspiele.de
Bevor ich es vergesse, adapted from the novel by Anne Pauly. A woman has to sort out her father’s affairs after his death – organising his funeral service and burial, clearing out his house and so on. Anyone who has ever done this knows it can lead to despair.
from October 8, 2025, tickets, muenchner-kammerspiele.de
Sauhund, 80s in Munich: gay, from the country, hungry for life. Based on the novel by Lion Christ. Bavaria, the early 1980s. Franz Josef Strauß, Freddie Mercury and Rainer Werner Fassbinder all live at the same time in Munich, a vibrant city of contradictions.
from October 18, 2025, tickets, muenchner-kammerspiele.de
Wachse oder weiche, on the fascination of growth. A fusion of theatre, cabaret and music with Maximilian Schafroth. Maximilian Schafroth is known for his sharp and tender perspective and sees himself as a mediator of the friction between town and country. For his debut theatre piece, he is evoking the world down on the farm as well as everyday life in the state capital.
from October 24, 2025, tickets, muenchner-kammerspiele.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of Münchner Kammerspiele.
In autumn 2021, the Volkstheater relocated to its new home in Munich's Schlachthofviertel (district): a modern brick building with arches and undulating curves. The theatre is run by Christian Stückl, a sculptor from Oberammergau, who is also the director of the Oberammergau Passion Play. Together with young actors and directors, he fosters an experimental environment in the theatre.
Glaube, Liebe, Roboter, by Bonn Park, based on Ödön von Horváth. After the suicide of the protagonist Elisabeth, she is resurrected as a robot in the anatomical institute in an undefined future. In these moments, a view opens up from the peaceful institute to a post-apocalyptic outside world.
from September 25, 2025, tickets, muenchner-volkstheater.de
Der Brandner Kaspar und das ewig' Leben, by Franz von Kobell / Kurt Wilhelm. The eternal drama about life and death is here a comedy. Because one individual is able to outwit the omnipotence of death and the heavenly forces of fate with his slyness and stubbornness.
from October 4, 2025, tickets, muenchner-volkstheater.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Münchner Volkstheater.
The Nationaltheater, a classical building, is the venue of the Bayerische Staatsoper (opera), the Bavarian State Ballet and the Bavarian State Orchestra. A highlight of the season is the opera festival, which always takes place in June/July. The stage is one of the largest in the world and has premièred works by Richard Wagner.
Die englische Katze (The English Cat), composer Hans Werner Henze. Libretto by Edward Bond based on the tale, Peines de cœur d’une chatte anglaise, by Honoré de Balzac. A story for singers and instrumentalists in two acts (1983), recommended for age 14 and older,
from November 5, 2025, tickets, staatsoper.de
Die Nacht vor Weihachten, composer Nikolai Rimski-Korsakow. Libretto by the composer, based on the eponymous narrative by Nikolai W. Gogol. A true Christmas song. Opera in four acts (1895), recommended for age 10 and older.
from November 29, 2025, tickets, staatsoper.de
Faust, composer Charles Gounod. Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. Opera in five acts (1869), recommended for age 14 and older.
from Februar 8, 2026, tickets, staatsoper.de
Rigoletto, composer Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave based on Victor Hugo's play, Le Roi s’amuse. Melodrama in three acts (1851), recommended for age 14 and older.
from March 7, 2026, tickets, staatsoper.de
Of One Blood, composer Brett Dean. Libretto by Heather Betts based on texts by Mary Stuart, Elizabeth Tudor and other 16th century sources. Opera in two acts (2026), recommended for age 14 and older.
from Mai 10, 2026, tickets, staatsoper.de
Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), composer Richard Wagner. Symphonic poem by Richard Wagner. First day of the stage festival play, Der Ring des Nibelungen (1870), recommended for age 14 and older.
from Juni 25, 2026, tickets, staatsoper.de
Alcina, composer Georg Friedrich Händel. Libretto by an unknown author based on the libretto by Antonio Fanzaglia for the L'isola di Alcina opera by Riccardo Broschi, based on the 6th and 7th songs from the Orlando furioso epic piece by Ludovico Ariosto. Dramma per musica in three acts (1735), recommended for age 14 and older.
from Juli 13, 2026, tickets, staatsoper.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Nationaltheater.
Since its beginnings, the Gärtnerplatztheater, as it is colloquially known in Munich, has presented operettas and musical comedies in the spirit of popular musical theatre. To this day, the theatre is one of the most important venues for opera, operetta, musicals and dance in Munich.
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) , music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, text by Emanuel Schikaneder, arranged by Josef E. Köpplinger. Mozart’s enigmatic opera about love, purification and humanity has been enchanting both adults and children since 1791.
from September 13, 2025, tickets, gaernterplatztheater.de
Les Misérables, the Gärtnerplatztheater presents in agreement with Cameron Mackintosh a new production of Boublil and Schönberg's Les Misérables. Les Misérables is one of the world's most successful musicals, and has been enthralling untold millions of people since its 1980 world premiere in Paris. Age recommendation: 12 years and over
from September 21, 2025, tickets, gaertnerplatztheater.de
Rockin Rose, music by Wolfgang Böhmer. Book and lyrics by Peter Lund. ‘Those who live longer are dead later’. What do you do when the glorious 70s in the Schwabing band garage are far too long ago and you suddenly end up in the 70s yourself? You celebrate a rocking birthday party with hash biscuits and your mates from back then! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
from September 25, 2025, tickets, gaertnerplatztheater.de
Der tollste Tag (The greatest day), music by Johanna Doderer, libretto by Peter Turrini. The content has been familiar to opera fans since Beaumarchais' play ‘La folle journée ou Le mariage de Figaro' (1784) and Mozart's opera based on it (1786). Composer Johanna Doderer puts Turrini's echoes of Beaumarchais' text and Mozart's opera into perspective in 2025 – and the once explosive story still moves us today. Recommended for ages 16 and over.
from October 10, 2025, tickets, gaertnerplatztheater.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Gärtnerplatztheater.
Germany's largest theatre for guest performances, the Deutsches Theater in Munich, hosts concerts, variety shows, ballet and contemporary dance productions in addition to the big musicals from New York's Broadway or London's West End. Located in the vibrant Bahnhofsviertel (district), this stage offers a varied programme of the highest quality all year round.
Information on current performances, tickets and the annual programme at the Deutsches Theater are available here.
