City Theater Amberg | Program & Tickets 2025/2026

The City Theater Amberg is one of the most characterful stages in the Upper Palatinate: a small theater with a great history, located in the old town at Schrannenplatz. The venue was established in 1803 in the nave of the former Franciscan church – a historical architecture that still shapes the special atmosphere, acoustics, and sightlines today. With 569 seats, the auditorium offers an accessible cultural experience for drama, musical theater, dance, and concerts. The program is curated as a guest performance operation: renowned touring theaters, soloists, and ensembles are hosted here, complemented by formats for families, young people, and the curious who seek insights behind the scenes. Thanks to its central location, short distances from the train station, and several parking options in the immediate vicinity, getting there is uncomplicated. Tickets are available online in the webshop and at the theater box office in the tourist information center. Those planning their visit will find all relevant information about the program, tickets, seating plan, parking, family offers, as well as tours and special features of the house compactly here.

Program and Upcoming Events: Orientation for Today and the 2025/2026 Season

The City Theater Amberg continuously publishes the schedule on its website and in the webshop. The spectrum ranges from classic drama and modern plays to dance theater, chanson and cabaret evenings, as well as orchestral, chamber, and choral concerts. During the pre-Christmas and winter season, traditionally family-friendly titles, concert events, and guest performances shape the stage. At the end of the year 2025, a New Year's Eve concert is scheduled for December 31, 2025; to kick off the new year, a New Year's concert follows on January 6, 2026, featuring a renowned chamber orchestra. Families receive additional access during the holidays, such as family theater tours in January 2026, which lead behind the scenes in a child-friendly manner. The website shows what is happening today in real-time and offers filters such as date, category, and target audience. For those planning long-term, the preview section shows the upcoming months of the 2025/2026 season: here, play-related information, casts, playing times, as well as age and genre specifications will appear as soon as they are confirmed by the house. Frequent visitors will benefit from subscription offers and seasonal series that regularly return – such as studio formats with intimate proximity between the audience and the stage or series that connect literature and music. Since the house is a guest performance theater, the density of individual genres varies depending on the touring plans of the ensembles. Tip for last-minute planners: In the webshop, you can see at a glance which seats are still available and can book mobile e-tickets. Those seeking personal advice can use the theater box office in the tourist information center – there you will find information on play selection, sightlines, accessibility, and family offers.

Looking ahead to the 2025/2026 season, the theater has organized ticket sales in two phases. The first block started at the end of July 2025 and usually covers dates until the end of January 2026; the second pre-sale started at the end of November 2025 for dates from February 2026. Subscribers usually receive an advanced booking period. The main stage operation is complemented by special formats such as open dance workshops, readings, or studio concerts, which occasionally change the usual stage situation. For current daily notes – such as short-term ticket releases or additional dates – it is advisable to check the theater's homepage as well as the respective event pages with detailed information on start times, duration, and any notes (e.g., limited accessibility).

Tickets, Pre-Sale, and Prices: How to Buy Correctly

Tickets are available online in the webshop and on-site at the theater box office in the tourist information center. The box office is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM; additionally during the summer season on Sundays and public holidays from 10 AM to 1 PM (usually from June 16 to September 15). The box office can be reached by phone Monday to Thursday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Friday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Reserved tickets must be paid for or picked up within a week; otherwise, they automatically return to general sale. A small processing fee applies for postal shipping; e-tickets are a convenient, last-minute option. As a guest performance house, the City Theater uses a flexible pricing structure. In the 2025/2026 season, regular ticket prices – depending on the performance and category – range from around 11 to just under 49 euros. The pricing logic follows seating categories and price classes; additionally, hearing and standing places are offered at reduced rates. Special prices apply to certain series: Studio Theater/Studio Concert and Jazz is back in town are usually priced flat, while formats like Ink & Third are moderately priced. For children's and youth theater as well as family concerts, the theater offers family-friendly prices, often with clearly defined family tickets (e.g., combinations of one to two adults plus children). Those planning multiple evenings benefit from the subscription offer; subscribers also receive preferred pre-sale windows. Groups, schools, and clubs should contact the theater box office for contingents, which also provides contact details and organizational notes (arrival, cloakroom, educational materials depending on the play). Important to know: The house is only partially accessible. There is a designated wheelchair space in the middle of the orchestra level. Those needing assistance should indicate when booking whether a lift will be used and the dimensions of the wheelchair. The team advises on the best sightlines and companion seats. For vouchers, exchange, and refund modalities, the theater's terms and conditions apply; for special events, different pre-sale regulations may apply (e.g., town hall concerts as invitation concerts). Practical: The webshop shows remaining tickets in real-time, allows seat selection in the seating plan, and informs about any price levels per row.

Seating Plan and Best Seats: 569 Seats with Clear Structure

The special quality of the City Theater lies in its historical architecture: the former nave creates proximity and a lively acoustics. The auditorium accommodates 569 people, including 515 seated and 54 standing places. The distribution is transparently indicated: orchestra seats 36, parquet 131, parquet middle tier 72, parquet left side 30, parquet right side 30, 1st tier middle 78, 1st tier left side 28 (of which 12 standing places), 1st tier right side 28 (of which 12 standing places), 2nd tier middle 80, 2nd tier left side 28 (of which 15 standing places), 2nd tier right side 28 (of which 15 standing places). The auditorium geometry ensures direct sightlines from nearly all seats; in the historic tier area, depending on the production and stage design, there may be occasional sight restrictions, which are often taken into account in the webshop through price classes. Those seeking the closest proximity to the stage should choose parquet or orchestra seats; those preferring a balanced overall view will find themselves well placed in the middle rows of the 1st tier. For value-for-money fans, the side seats in the parquet and the 1st tier offer attractive alternatives – with a slightly lateral perspective but good acoustics. Hearing seats are marked as a cost-effective option, and standing places supplement capacity for highly demanded dates. The orchestra pit is adjustable in three levels: sunk, at auditorium level, or at stage level; for symphonic and music theater evenings, seats can be set up here that carry the sound directly. In studio stage settings, the stage situation is deliberately changed to create an intimate atmosphere – then the audience sits closer to the artists, often on stage. Those with special requirements (e.g., mobility restrictions, companion, children) should contact the theater box office in advance: the team helps recommend seats with short distances, minimal steps, and suitable sightlines. For an overview, an online graphical seating plan is available, linked to the webshop and showing the price categories per row.

Directions and Parking: Quick to the House, Relaxed Home

The address of the theater is Schrannenplatz 8, 92224 Amberg – right in the old town. From the train station, you can reach the house on foot in about ten to fifteen minutes through the historic city center. Those arriving by car will find several options in the immediate vicinity: 1) Parking spaces at Theatergasse (Mühlgasse) for very short distances; 2) the parking garage at Ziegeltor on Pfalzgrafenring with around 257 parking spaces, open 24 hours, during the day 1.50 euros for the first hour and 1 euro for each additional hour (maximum 7.50 euros per day), at night 19–8 hours 1.00 euro for the first hour, 0.50 euros for each additional hour (maximum 2.00 euros); 3) the parking deck Kräuterwiese on Sulzbacher Straße with inexpensive rates (day ticket around 3 euros). Additional parking garages are located at the train station and at Kurfürstenbad, also with moderate daily rates and night flat rates. In the old town, mobile parking via PayByPhone or SMS is possible; the corresponding zones and short numbers are indicated on the parking signs. Those wishing to arrive with limited mobility can drive very close to the theater front for boarding and alighting; please indicate this when purchasing tickets so that the team can assist if necessary. For travel groups, it is advisable to arrive by bus close to Schrannenplatz; contact the tourist information for stop and parking information. If bad weather interferes, the paths from the garages are covered or short enough to comfortably reach the foyer with an umbrella. Tip: Plan an extra five to ten minutes for highly demanded evenings – the cloakroom usually opens an hour before the start of the performance, as does the evening box office. Those wishing to stroll through the old town after the performance will find nearby dining options with late kitchens.

Children's Program and Family Offers: Child-Friendly, Accessible, Affordable

The City Theater Amberg has placed great importance on family-friendliness for years. Children's and youth theater, family concerts, and special participatory formats make the theater visit accessible and inspiring. The pricing structure is family-friendly, with children's tickets as well as clearly defined family tickets for selected performances. In the 2025/2026 season, the children's theater festival is a highlight: the opening of the festival 2026 is announced for March 15, 2026, in the afternoon – the program features the award-winning play Just One Day for children aged five and up. In addition, regular formats such as Studio Theater, Studio Concert, Jazz is back in town, and literary evenings under the title Ink & Third take place; some of these series are also well-suited for teenagers. Family theater tours and open workshop offers (e.g., dance workshops) invite participation and provide insights into how stage, light, and sound interact. When choosing seats for children, it is advisable to sit in the middle rows of the parquet or in the 1st tier middle: there the view is stable, and the distance to the stage feels pleasant, especially for first-time visitors. The house transparently communicates age recommendations for plays on the event pages, including playing time and intermission notes. Practical services round off the visit: the cloakroom in the lower foyer is free of charge, the evening box office opens an hour before the start and assists with last-minute questions. Those coming with a stroller or baby carriage should plan a few extra minutes for storage and inform the team in advance if assistance is needed with stairs. For school classes, daycare centers, and youth groups, there are special offers, discounts, and often accompanying materials; the theater box office advises on contingents, morning appointments, and organizational details.

Open House and Tours: Insights Behind the Scenes

At the start of the season, the City Theater Amberg regularly opens its doors for an open house day. On this afternoon, the house transforms into a walkable laboratory: stations in the foyer, auditorium, and on stage show how sound, light, and stage technology interact; students from regional universities contribute media art and spatial installations. Families can expect a program with a treasure hunt, participatory stations, and small concerts – entry is free, and numbered tickets ensure regulated access to highly demanded program points. Additionally, the theater offers tours throughout the season. The theater tour conveys the eventful history of the house in about 90 minutes, explains the rotating perspective of the auditorium and stage since the renovation in the 1970s, and highlights architectural features: Gothic wall paintings, baroque transformations, and lovingly restored decorations made of papier-mâché. Technically interested individuals receive a structured view of light consoles, sound control, overhead tracks, and the adjustable orchestra pit. Since the building has grown historically, tours are not barrier-free; please register in advance if support is needed. For groups, individual dates can be arranged – ideal for clubs, school classes, and companies wishing to combine cultural mediation with team building. Those inspired by the open house day can purchase tickets directly on-site, seek advice on subscriptions, or use the webshop. Tip: Pay attention to the notes in the event calendar, as individual tours can fill up quickly.

History, Architecture, and Special Features: Theater in a Former Monastery Church

The current stage has its roots in the history of a Franciscan monastery that was established in Amberg in the 15th century. After secularization, a classicist tier theater was built in the nave within a few months in 1803. The house opened in the autumn of the same year – a symbolically significant starting point for the city's theater tradition. In the 19th century, the building was remodeled several times; after World War II, a resident ensemble performed for a time. In 1953, safety regulations announced the provisional end of operations; in the 1970s, a comprehensive renovation was decided upon with a spectacular measure: the auditorium and stage were rotated 180 degrees. In 1978, the theater was reopened in a new form and developed into one of the most beautiful small theaters in the country. The 220th anniversary of the City Theater was celebrated on October 12, 2023, with a festive event – an opportunity to celebrate the identity of the house as the cultural heart of the city. Architecturally, the building unites Gothic and baroque layers: in the upper foyer, the origin as a monastery church is particularly visible; changing exhibitions highlight the spatial effect. The studio stage transforms the relationship between the audience and performers: one literally sits on stage and looks into the historic auditorium – a perspective that makes the aura of the place immediately palpable. Technically, the house is well-equipped for guest performances: modern lighting and sound technology, a powerful projector system, a sufficient number of electric tracks, and a separate power supply for light and sound. Artists find three dressing rooms with contemporary facilities. This mix of history, technical reliability, and spatial intimacy explains why touring theaters, orchestras, and soloists repeatedly enjoy stopping in Amberg.

Sources:

• City Theater Amberg – Official Website
• City Theater Amberg – Technology/Stage and Seating Plan
• City Theater Amberg – Directions and Parking
• City Theater Amberg – Ticket Prices
• City Theater Amberg – Ticket Purchase and Theater Box Office
• City of Amberg – Car Parking and Parking Garages
• City Theater Amberg – Rooms
• City Theater Amberg – History