Musical highlights 2025: The most unforgettable shows in review!

Musical highlights 2025: The most unforgettable shows in review!

On January 1st, 2026 we will take a look back at an exciting year for the musical scene in Germany. In 2025, there was not only a lot on offer in Cologne and beyond, but also over 46 musical performances were attended. This is eight more than last year, and the variety of productions is constantly increasing.

The top 10 list of personal experiences could hardly be more varied. First and foremost is the rousing semi-staged performance of “Elisabeth” on tour, which not only impresses with its excellent storytelling, but also with its musical implementation. The staged comedy “Catch me if you can” in Bremerhaven also caused a lot of laughter and unexpected twists with its fast-paced performance.

The diversity of musical productions

Another highlight was the energetic “School of Rock” in Osnabrück, which brought pure joy with the talented children on stage. In contrast, “Thrill me”, also in Osnabrück, offered a more psychologically dense experience that captivated the audience with its acting performances. The musical work of art “Titanic” in Tecklenburg impressed with its detailed orchestral subtleties, while the new production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in Berlin scored with pop aesthetics and theatrical precision.

Among the year's other notable musicals, we found Dear Evan Hansen on tour, which explored themes of loneliness and identity. Musical fans in Düsseldorf were delighted by a nostalgic adaptation of "Mrs. Doubtfire", which is considered the best show of the year. The emotionally profound new edition of “Ghost”, which is characterized by a comprehensive revision, should not be underestimated. Ultimately, “Happiness is an Orange” left a lasting impression in Detmold with its surprising examination of German industrial history.

• „Wie im Himmel“ in Osnabrück
• „& Julia“ in Hamburg
• „1648 – Macht. Liebe. Intrige.“ in Osnabrück
• „Die Päpstin“ in Fulda
• „Joseph“ in Lohne
• „Kein Pardon“ in Hamburg und Kloster Oesede
• „Das Spongebob-Musical“ in Kloster Oesede
• „Into the Woods“ in Osnabrück
• „The Mad Ones“ in Hildesheim
• „Pretty Woman“ auf Tour

Growth and popularity of musicals

As Statista reports, musicals are one of the most popular forms of live entertainment in Germany, only surpassed by rock and pop concerts. Hamburg in particular has developed into a stronghold for musicals in recent decades, with productions such as “The Lion King” and “The Phantom of the Opera” regularly recording high audience numbers.

There is great anticipation for future productions, because 2026 promises to be just as eventful as last year. In particular, the return of “Tarzan” to the Neue Flora and the exciting treatment of the topic in “Rent” at the Lüneburg Theater arouse the audience's interest.

The unbroken enthusiasm for musicals - whether classics or the latest productions - shows that viewers could have a wonderful time again in 2025. So it remains to be seen what new highlights the year 2026 will bring us. A look at the various productions shows that a good hand in selecting the pieces and a committed performance still contribute to success.