Concerts and events in front of and within the grounds of festively lit castles, stunt shows and cinema action in Filmpark Babelsberg or festivals and medieval castle spectacles – Potsdam boasts a host of cultural events that are celebrated year for year. What is unique and fascinating is above all the atmosphere of the event locations. lt is not just the famous scenery of Potsdam's palaces and gardens – even churches, convents and monasteries, villas and manor houses, lakes and parks throughout the region provide the perfect setting for music and dance, theatre events and festivals. Foto: © Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci/Mathias Marx

30th April
Spring at last! The Delphi dance orchestra from Berlin gives a guest performance in the Nikolaisaal and alludes to the great dancing and amusement palaces of the swing era with its name. Its extensive repertoire ranges from the crazy hits and fashionable dances of the twenties and thirties via swing and rock’n roll to the lively catchy tunes and hits of the sixties.

3rd May
Frederick William I, the “soldier king”, loved everything to do with the military. His penchant for pomp and magnificence showed in particular in the guards battalion of the royal regiment. The infantrymen had to be at least 6 feet tall and had to have an imposing appearance. Today, the so-called “Lange Kerls” (as the King of Prussia’s tall guards were called) perform the training exercises of that time in their historic uniforms. They have to learn to master more than 60 commands for the handgrips with the weapon and have to endure the harsh peremptory tone that was common in Potsdam during that era. Visit the tall guards’ drilling performances during your stay from 11.00 to 15.00 hours and let it be a “fantastic” experience.

11st May until 21st September
“La Pastorale à Sanssouci” entices you into the land of desires and longings of court society and also of the flute-playing king: to Arcadia. Figures that visitors have possibly already met before at the castle and in the park, now appear in person before the eyes and ears of the audience in an impressive series of transformations. Part of the music dates back to Frederick II himself.