When is the best time to go to the theatre in Lower Austria?

Theatre is a year-round attraction in Lower Austria. In winter, drama, dance and musical theatre draw audiences, while in summer, operettas, open-air productions and festivals bring culture to life – often under the open sky and against impressive backdrops.

Which events are particularly popular?

Highlights include dance and music productions at the Festspielhaus St. Pölten, classic operettas at the Bühne Baden theatre and cabaret evenings at the Bühne im Hof theatre. The open-air festivals at Cinema Paradiso and Kino im Kesselhaus are also cultural fixtures.A special summer highlight is the Lower Austria Theatre Festival: more than 20 stages throughout the province are transformed into open-air venues – from castle parks to castle courtyards – making culture in the open air an unforgettable experience!

Are there catering facilities or meeting places in the theatres?

Almost all venues have their own café or theatre bar – ideal for an aperitif before the show or a glass of wine afterwards. Cinema Paradiso is particularly atmospheric, where film, music and bar evenings merge.

Stages & Theatres

Vibrant spaces for art and stories

From classic theatre buildings and intimate cabaret stages to visionary arthouse cinemas, Lower Austria's stages and venues are places where culture becomes an experience. This is where drama, music, dance, cabaret and film come together – driven by curiosity, passion and an audience that loves to be surprised. Every stage opens up its own world.

Inmitten der malerischen Kulisse des Wienerwaldes strahlt das historische Gebäude in sanften Pastellfarben. Die warmen Sonnenstrahlen tauchen die Umgebung in ein goldenes Licht und laden dazu ein, die kulturellen Veranstaltungen des Theaterfests zu genießen. Üppige Pflanzen und gepflegte Grünflächen umrahmen diesen charmanten Ort und schaffen eine einladende Atmosphäre. — ©© (Jenni Koller)

Landestheater Niederösterreich

In the heart of St. Pölten, the Landestheater presents a programme ranging from classics to contemporary plays. Performances for all generations make it the cultural heartbeat of the provincial capital.

_{The theatre looks back on over 200 years of theatre history – performances have been held here since 1820. Today, in addition to the main theatre, the theatre workshop also opens its doors to experiments and citizen productions, in which the people of St. Pölten themselves take to the stage.}

Contact

Landestheater Niederösterreich

Rathausplatz 11
3100 St. Pölten

Phone: +43 2742 9080600
Email: office@landestheater.net
Website: www.landestheater.net

How to get here

Festspielhaus St. Pölten

An architectural landmark of the provincial capital: dance, music and crossover projects find a large stage here. International ensembles meet Austrian formats – bold, versatile, inspiring.

_The_{striking façade}_{makes the Festspielhaus a work of art even from the outside. Depending on the time of day, it reflects the sky and the city – sometimes radiant, sometimes mysterious – so that the building itself appears like a transformable stage.}

Contact

Festspielhaus St. Pölten

Kulturbezirk 2
3100 St. Pölten

Phone: +43 2742 908080
Email: karten@festspielhaus.at
Website: www.festspielhaus.at

How to get here

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Bühne im Hof

Just a few steps from St. Pölten city centre, the Bühne im Hof offers cabaret, comedy and music – accessible, fresh and full of energy.

_The_{Bühne im Hof}_{is located in a}_{converted Baroque courtyard}_{in the heart of St. Pölten. If you arrive early, you can enjoy a glass of wine in the cosy courtyard before heading to the cabaret, concerts or readings – almost like being in your own living room, only with a large stage.}

Stage in the courtyard — ©Helmut Lackinger

Bühne Baden

The Bühne Baden performs in two historic buildings – the Stadttheater with its elegant architecture and the Sommerarena, whose unique glass roof bathes summer evenings in operetta magic. From operetta to drama, the range of performances has made Baden a meeting place for culture lovers for generations.

_{As early as 1906, audiences were able to enjoy operettas in the open air when the weather was fine, as the Sommerarena has a}_{sliding glass roof}_{that can be opened or closed depending on the weather – a rare feature among open-air theatres and a technical masterpiece of its time.}

Contact

Bühne Baden | Stadttheater Baden | Sommerarena Baden

Herr Michael Moser

Theaterplatz 7
2500 Baden

Phone: +43 2252 22522
Email: ticket@buehnebaden.at
Website: www.buehnebaden.at

How to get here

Stadttheater Wiener Neustadt

Where Carmelite nuns once prayed, a dream came true in 1794: Wiener Neustadt got its first theatre. The former monastery church, whose foundation stone was laid in 1668, was transformed into a theatre – and has been making cultural history ever since. The neo-Gothic building on the main square is a gem – with a programme ranging from plays to musicals.

_{The municipal theatre underwent extensive renovation and was ceremoniously reopened in 2024 – since then, it has been considered the "reborn" cultural jewel of the region. A modern foyer, new technology and barrier-free access now meet the historic fabric of the former convent – a new beginning with great charisma.}

Contact

Stadttheater Wiener Neustadt

Herzog-Leopold-Straße 17
2700 Wiener Neustadt

Phone: +43 2622 34000
Email: info@stadttheater-wn.at
Website: www.wnkultur.at

How to get here

Kino im Kesselhaus

A former tobacco factory has been transformed into a cultural hotspot: today, the cinema in the Kesselhaus attracts visitors with arthouse films, festivals and concerts.

_{In summer, the courtyard becomes an open-air stage for cinematic adventures.}

Contact

Kino im Kesselhaus. Das Programmkino in Krems!

Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30
3500 Krems an der Donau

Phone: +43 2732 908000
Email: office@kinoimkesselhaus.at
Website: kinoimkesselhaus.at

How to get here

Accessible by public transport

Cinema Paradiso

More than just a cinema: here, film art, concerts and club atmosphere merge to create an urban cultural meeting place.

_{Not just a cinema – also a meeting place. After the film or concert, the action often continues seamlessly in the foyer, where DJs often play and the bar remains open. If you like, you can experience what is probably Lower Austria's cosiest "aftermovie" – right in the middle of the cinema.}

Open-air movie night in a square with a large audience in front of a big screen. — ©Andrea Reischer/Cinema Paradiso

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about stages and theatres in Lower Austria.

Highlights include dance and music productionsat the Festspielhaus St. Pölten, classic operettas at the Bühne Baden theatre and cabaret eveningsat the Bühne im Hof theatre. The open-air festivals at Cinema Paradiso and Kino im Kesselhaus are also cultural fixtures.
A special summer highlight is the Lower Austria Theatre Festival: more than 20 stages throughout the province are transformed into open-air venues – from castle parks to castle courtyards – making culture in the open air an unforgettable experience!