Open-Air at Its Best in Luisenpark

See Stage

Soul, Brazilian, Jazz, Disco & Comedy – the 2026 Seebühne Summer

Summer in Mannheim wouldn’t be complete without the shows and concerts at one of the region’s most beautiful open-air venues. The Lakeside Stage in Mannheim’s Luisenpark will once again become a hotspot this year for music fans who simply can’t do without a beautiful outdoor concert atmosphere: surrounded by greenery, with only the evening sky above, and nature exuding its summery scent all around. Nine top-notch events that enrich the region’s cultural landscape are on the program this year during twilight or in the evening.

Kicking off the summer on June 21, jazz musician and producer Thomas Siffling will host the Rhein-Neckar Jazz Allstars and will open the Seebühnen Jazz Club with a “Back to the 70s” show. Since BUGA 23, the club has established itself as a regular series and open-air branch of the renowned Mannheim jazz club Ella & Louis in Luisenpark, bringing together the who’s who of the regional music scene on the floating stage.

Just one week later, on June 28, the series continues with “Hip Hip Chin Chin” and the Club des Belugas ensemble led by MaximIllion and Kitty the Bill, featuring contemporary nu-jazz, Brazilian beats, swing, and American soul—hopefully accompanied by Brazilian-style weather—with a cool club-sound take on the genre.

The legendary Blues Night session from Ella & Louis is also swapping the club for an open-air special on the eve of the event. Singer and guitarist Timo Gross, Christian Sommer, singer-songwriter Lukas LUKAS Schüßler, and German-American blues and soul singer Sandy Campos will transform the lake stage into a sound space for handmade blues on July 5.

With Gismo Graf, Gypsy Jazz has a new name. Graf is part of a group of young, dynamic musicians who, with sensitivity and cultural respect, are giving the tradition of Gypsy Jazz a contemporary twist. In a trio with his father Joschi Graf and Joel Lochner, and featuring singer Cheyenne and guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg, Gismo Graf will present a concert “in the spirit of Django” on July 19 with a fresh Gypsy sound.

A comedy interlude: Clear the stage for Christian CHAKO Habekost and his brand-new solo show “Es kummt wie’s kummt!” And when it doesn’t come, it just comes another way. CHAKO presents his one-man show with a beer mug and a concentrated dose of wordplay, returning to his roots, being “uncompromisingly Kurpfalz” and grooving dialectically, just as only “de Chako” can. The diaphragm workout takes the lake stage on July 24.

With the beer mug from the night before still in hand, there’s no better way to embark on a glittering journey through the golden age of the disco ball: Following its celebrated premiere in Munich, DISCO MANIA is on the program exclusively in the metropolitan region on July 25, celebrating a musical culture that remains one of the most iconic and influential to this day: Let’s go Disco & Funk! Sparkling mirror balls, Studio 54, platform shoes, and an incomparable musical spirit of optimism with artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Donna Summer, Chic, KC & The Sunshine Band, Boney M, Michael Jackson, and the Bee Gees were all the rage on the dance floors back then. An impressive lineup of classic songs that continue to define party culture worldwide to this day, and another stage show from Sweet Soul Music that is second to none. Let’s go Disco & Funk!

Celebrating Aretha Franklin builds on the success of last year’s show. The audience gave standing ovations, demanding one encore after another—until the promise was made: Let’s do a big encore next year and celebrate the “Queen of Soul” once again. With Silke Hauck, Susan Horn, and Helena Paul, three outstanding singers from the Mannheim music scene have come together as the Mannheim Soul Voices to fulfill that promise on August 2.

Swingtime and orchestral sound: Tom Gaebel & His Orchestra “in the house”: Gaebel is considered one of the leading vocalists and the last true gentlemen on the big stages of Germany. The thoroughbred entertainer and seven-time German Jazz Award winner stylishly combines Las Vegas vibes with modern, passionate big-band sounds. A concert titled “Sinatra Summer Swing” will show where the journey is headed on the evening of August 16.

The grand finale of the 2026 Seebühne Summer Festival on August 21 belongs to the Queen Kings, who pay a heartfelt tribute to Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, as well as to the legacy of the legendary band Queen. Forty years ago, Queen made rock history in Mannheim. Now that spirit returns—powerful, passionate, and with a touch of glamour. Tailored to the dreamlike backdrop of the Seebühne, The Queen Kings present an exclusive open-air special show. In addition to their immortal global hits, they celebrate the charming, playful pop and beat gems from their early years. An exclusive acoustic set promises goosebump-inducing moments. The highlight of the evening: Together with acclaimed soprano Kerstin Bauer, The Queen Kings unleash the epic masterpiece “Barcelona,” igniting a musical fireworks display that makes the water beneath the lake stage vibrate. As a special guest and support act, Sascha Kleinophorst will open the event with a short set from his solo program and also join in for the grand finale.

This isn’t just a concert—it’s a rendezvous with a legend.

The Lake Stage Summer at a Glance:

Sun, June 21, 5:00 p.m.
Thomas Sifflings Rhein-Neckar Allstars featuring Erwin Ditzner, Olaf Schönborn, Bernhard Vanecek, and many more Soul Jazz “Back to the 70s”
Sun, June 28, 5 p.m.
Club des Belugas Nu-jazz styles, Brazilian beats, swing, and American soul
Sun, July 5, 5 p.m.
Blues Night Special feat. LUKE and Sandy Campos
Sun, July 19, 5 p.m.
Gypsy Jazz Meeting – Gismo Graf Trio feat. Stochelo Rosenberg & Cheyenne
Fri, July 24, 8 p.m.
Christian CHAKO Habekost – the new show “Es kummt wie´s kummt!”
Sat, July 25, 8 p.m.
DISCO MANIA The ultimate 70s & 80s Live Show
Sun, Aug. 2, 5 p.m.
Mannheim Soul Voices ft. Helena Paul, Silke Hauck, Susan Horn Celebrating Aretha Franklin, Vol. 2
Sun, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Tom Gaebel & His Orchestra Sinatra Summer Swing
Fri, August 21, 8:00 p.m.
The Queen Kings  “Seaside Rendezvous”

Parking admission included starting at 4:00 p.m. for all events // Tickets available at: https://www.reservix.de/mannheim/venue/luisenpark-mannheim/v17960

In addition, the following events are planned for the summer of 2026:

Explore Science at Herzogenriedpark

Inventions & Discoveries: 20 Years of Science Experience Days by the Klaus Tschira Foundation
Explore Science is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Mannheim. From June 17 to 21, Herzogenriedpark will be transformed into a large interactive space dedicated to mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM). The theme is “Inventions & Discoveries.” Curiosity is the engine of progress—it leads to discoveries that change our world and to inventions that open up new possibilities. This year’s focus is on the spirit of inquiry behind great ideas: How do inventions come about? What coincidences or experiments lead to groundbreaking discoveries? And how do these shape our lives today and in the future? Children and teens are invited to experiment themselves and participate in robot programming, navigating a laser maze, and exploring the solar system with real meteorites. A science-themed children’s theater and exciting experimental shows on stage round out the program. Participation is free / Download free tickets here
Wed., June 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – Sun., June 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Hours: Wednesday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Since 2006, the Klaus Tschira Foundation has organized the annual Explore Science STEM Experience Days in Mannheim. The central goal is to give children and young people the opportunity to discover scientific phenomena for themselves. With Explore Science, the Klaus Tschira Foundation aims to spark young people’s interest in scientific topics and promote collaboration between scientific institutions and schools.

Continuing the “After Work Tuesday” series.
BRAVELAND – Americana

Braveland

The Mannheim-based band BRAVELAND is known for its handcrafted music, characterized by a high degree of emotional depth and intensity. Since 2021, the five musicians—often joined by guest musicians—have been thrilling audiences with their unique style, which blends Americana, blues, and country in a special way. BRAVELAND reinterprets classic songs by artists such as John Hiatt, JJ Cale, Marc Cohn, and John Mayer in acoustic arrangements that leave room for idiosyncratic interpretations and harmonies. But their own compositions are also part of the repertoire and showcase the band’s creative depth. With passion, musicality, and a keen sense of melody and atmosphere, BRAVELAND continues to delight and surprise its audience time and again. Christian Sommer (guitar/vocals), Jonathan Sommer (guitar), Steffen Baumann (percussion), Klaus Schimmer (guitar), Frank “Zumby” Zumbruch (bass) celebrate the interconnected spirit of the Mannheim music community—the third of four summer after-work highlights featuring great music, cool drinks, and Mannheim vibes.

Admission to the event is included in the park entrance fee. Tue., June 30, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m., Park (Outdoor)
Additional dates: Tue., July 28, 2026, and Tue., Sept. 15, 2026, both from 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Insect Day
The Great Buzzing, Humming, Crawling, and Fluttering

For us humans, the world of insects is sometimes completely imperceptible, and yet a world without insects is unthinkable—insects are indispensable for our survival and the balance of nature. All the more reason to get to know our six-legged companions better and support them! On Insect Day, the buzzing and humming swarm of bees, beetles, dragonflies, mosquitoes, bugs, and more takes center stage in Luisenpark. Around the recreation center, the insect mound, and the Baumhain festival hall, there are exciting things for children and adults to discover about the fascinating world of six-legged creatures—a wonderful journey of experimentation and discovery for visitors of all ages.

More info on the program coming soon! Sat., July 4, 2026, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Family Day & Children’s Spectacular
For World Children’s Day

On Family Day, all the meadows of Herzogenried Park are transformed into a colorful children’s world with fire trucks, sports and creative activities, campfires, relay races, obstacle courses, giant board games, craft workshops, and much more for children and their parents. On September 19, 2026, it’s that time again, and the park in Neckarstadt invites parents and children to this late-summer event to learn about the city’s offerings. Many youth organizations, clubs, initiatives, and municipal institutions are actively working to address the needs and well-being of children and young people in Mannheim with a wide variety of programs, and they will be presenting themselves at Herzogenried Park on this day. In the city of Mannheim, as part of the “Child-Friendly Communities” initiative, these organizations place a special focus on this work and ensure that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is implemented at the local level.

At Family Day, numerous volunteers and staff members from around 40 organizations (youth associations, clubs, initiatives…) will present their activity stations with a focus on children’s rights, participation, engagement, and sustainability. At this established family festival in the Rhine-Neckar district, children and parents can playfully discover important resources and programs. At the Youth Red Cross’s Teddy Bear Hospital, you can nurse teddy bears back to health; bake bread on a stick by the campfire with the Scouts; or stroll over to the cultural stage to check out the children’s program. A colorful supporting program is being organized by the Youth Culture Stage, featuring dance, theater, singing, and much more! With curiosity, motivation, a love of movement, and enthusiasm, children can get involved here, compete, let off steam, and learn about various topics at one or more stations while having lots of fun, excitement, and joy.

The event is organized by the Stadtjugendring Mannheim e.V., the Youth Promotion Department of the Children, Youth, and Family Division – Youth Welfare Office, and the non-profit Stadtpark Mannheim GmbH.

All children up to and including age 14 have free admission. Sat., Sept. 19, 2026, Herzogenriedpark Mannheim

Smaller concerts at the Konzertmuschel, our programs from the Freizeithaus and Grüne Schule, as well as public guided tours through Luisenpark round out the summer program. For more information see the event calendar at: https://www.luisenpark.de/veranstaltungen/kalender

Impressions from Winter Lights 2026 in the Luisenpark

New attractions

Animals Nov 23

Butterflies, two iguanas, the caiman lady, snakes and two golden-headed lion monkeys await visitors at the South America House. The large trampoline, previously positioned at the recreation building, has a new location at the water playground. The penguin pool has now got a more attractive fence and as planned, everything will be finished here on the weekend and fresh water will arrive on Monday at the latest. The four alpacas, cuddly colleagues from the Andean highlands, which have been in the Luisenpark since the Federal Garden Show, will also be there for the reopening and visitors will be able to visit them directly in their enclosure opposite the Baumhain festival hall. The Café Gondoletta kiosk, the lakeside restaurant and the Chinese teahouse are open. In addition to visiting flamingos and pelicans, visitors can, as usual, simply take a dip in the “big green” that is now slowly turning the most beautiful shades of autumn. In short, a visit to the Luisenpark with its many new offerings is still worthwhile after the BUGA, or even more so than ever. The admission prices have been slightly adjusted, the Luisenpark Annual Pass is also valid for Herzogenriedpark as before and, and this is new, is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Alliance of nature and modern architecture

For all that it offers, the New Park Center is also an aesthetic delight: bold and modern in design, the new center with its generous spaces. At the same time, it is harmoniously embedded in the existing park landscape. Thanks to large-scale glazing, interior and exterior spaces appear to flow smoothly into one another, creating a sense of transparency and permeability. The curved architecture, based on nature’s model, with its almost floating roofs, embraces the existing park landscape without dominating it. In addition to the organic, modern design language of the whole, the buildings provide new visual experiences.

Cute offspring on the farm

Since the Federal Garden Show, the farm has also repositioned itself: with Nordic livestock breeds, including white Viking cattle, Linderöd pigs and flower chickens. By the way, just in time for the reopening, two white calves have been born – but more about this beautiful story soon!

Tulpen

Luisenpark

Luisenpark Mannheim

The Luisenpark is one of Germany’s most beautiful parks – and it was the first thing that came to mind in a recent survey when 5,000 Mannheim citizens were asked what was the first thing that came to mind when they thought of Mannheim – before the castle, the university, the SAP Arena, or the National Theater.

The Luisenpark extends over an area of 42 hectares – more than 100 acres – and is open daily all year round from 9 a.m. until dusk.

A short history of the Luisenpark
The Luisenpark Mannheim was first planned and laid out from 1892 – 1903. It is named after the Grand Duchess Luise von Baden, daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm I.

A new greenhouse – the Pflanzenschauhaus – was built in 1958 to replace the original Palmenhalle plant building which was destroyed during WWII.

1975 – Germany’s annual National Garden Show (Bundesgartenschau or BUGA in German) took place in the Luisenpark – the perfect opportunity for a complete renewal of the park. The new park was planned by the renowned landscape architect firm of Wagenfeld, Leipacher und Boyer.

1996 – The tropical Butterfly Paradise building – the first in southwestern Germany – was opened, the Pflanzenschauhaus building was extended in order to house a central American cactus collection and a second exhibition hall was added.

2001 – The Chinese garden with its Chinese Teahouse was opened.

2004 – An artificial rock wall was built in the foyer of the Pflanzenschauhaus, providing a natural background for the neighboring cayman and dwarf otter compounds.

From 2007 – 2009 the Pflanzenschauhaus was again extended: a new cold house for tree ferns was built next to the large tropical greenhouse. And a garden for medical plants was opened.

2008 – Building work began on a new main entrance with a souvenir shop.

Today, approximately 270 people work at the Luisenpark and its “little brother,” the Herzogenriedpark in Mannheim-Neckarstadt.

The Pflanzenschauhaus – Mannheim’s Jungle
Tropical and subtropical plants and animals, the magic of the jungle, rare animals from Africa, Asia and South America all make the Pflanzenschauhaus one of the Luisenpark’s biggest attractions.

2,700 square meters – more than 3,200 square yards of exotic worlds: more than 350 kinds of plant, 50 kinds of reptile, 350 different kinds of fish live here. The cactus house is an additional 400 square meters, the tropical butterfly house another 250 square meters.

Among the many animals in the park are more than 100 storks, flamingos, Humboldt penguins, zebra mongooses and cotton top tamarins.

Visitors can watch the penguins being fed every day at 1 p.m. except Wednesdays when feeding is at 2 p.m.

New Animals born on the Luisenpark Farm in spring 2011 include twin Coburg Fox Sheep (the name comes from the unusal red color of the wool); twin Thuringian Goats; and 21 baby Swabian-Hall Swine.

The Chinese Garden – a little piece of China in the center of Mannheim

The Chinese garden is laid out according to traditional Chinese Feng Shui methods, paying particular attention to the harmony of the seven major things: earth, heaven, stones, water, buildings, paths and plants should all interact harmoniously and naturally. The paeonies which bloom in the Chinese garden in May, a traditional Chinese plant, cultivated in China for over 2,000 years, should not be missed.

Drink tea and forget the noise of the madding crowd – The traditional tea ceremony, which takes about an hour, is performed by Mrs Shuli Meng and costs €12 per person – booking required, telephone 0621 – 4107235.