City Festivals

From spring processions to autumn markets

Thuringia's folk festivals combine tradition, culture and socialising and are ideal highlights for any travel itinerary. The 'Sommergewinn' in Eisenach is one of the oldest spring festivals in Europe, the Krämerbrückenfest in Erfurt fascinates with art, music and regional flair in a historic setting, and the Weimar Onion Market attracts a large audience every year with tradition, market stalls and culture. These events and many other festivals offer authentic experiences that leave lasting impressions.

Spring at Leuchtenburg Castle

When the first green shoots appear, Leuchtenburg Castle awakens from hibernation and is colourfully decorated over an area of 10,000 square metres. Fragrant and blooming delights await visitors to the castle in every room and every corner of the castle.
20 March - 09 May 2027
www.leuchtenburg.de

Sommergewinn spring festival in Eisenach

Three weeks before Easter, the mythical 'Frau Sunna' rings in spring in Eisenach. At the first weekend 'Frau Sunna' and 'Herr Winter' appear in a big parade and the winter is symbolically burned. Over 1,200 participants start marching at 2 p.m. with floats and carriages from the western part of Eisenach to the market square.
06 March 2027
sommergewinn-eisenach.de

Gothardusfest Gotha

On the first weekend in May, the town of Gotha celebrates its city festival in honour of their patron saint St. Gothardus. The popular festival comes with a stage programme, market stalls, a medieval market and fireworks around the impressive Friedenstein Castle. At the same time, the amazing waterworks connecting Friedenstein Castle and Gotha old-town district start working again after their winter break.
30 April - 02 May 2027
gothardusfest.de

Krämerbrückenfest in Erfurt

Street theatre, artists and jugglers fill the alleyways and squares with music, cabaret and plays. Thuringian craftsmen present their goods at a medieval market around Krämerbrücke bridge.
19 - 21 June 2026
18 - 20 June 2027
www.erfurt-tourismus.de

Rolandsfest in Nordhausen

The traditional Roland Festival in Nordhausen is the largest folk festival in northern Thuringia. Guests can expect a colourful programme with concerts, market activities and culinary delights throughout the city centre. The festival attracts around 100,000 visitors. The first Roland Festival was celebrated in 1955. The large city festival is named after the historic Roland figure, which has stood at the town hall as a landmark and symbol of the former free imperial city for more than 600 years. At the Roland Festival, Roland comes to life and appears in the Roland group together with the Nordhausen originals - the Brocken Witch, Professor Zwanziger and the Old Ebersberg.
12 - 14 June 2026

In 2027, the town of Nordhausen will celebrate its 1,100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Rolandfest will be celebrated in Nordhausen alongside the Thuringian regional festival, ‘Thuringia Day’.
11 - 13 June 2027
nordhausen.de

Altenburg Games Festival

The Altenburg Games Festival transforms the town of Skat into a paradise for games fans. From board and card games to tournaments and hands-on activities - there's something for everyone here. Visitors can discover new games, compete with others and experience workshops. As the home of the game of skat, the town of Altenburg plays a central role.
21 - 23 August 2026
16 - 18 July 2027
www.stadt-altenburg.de

Weimar Wine Festival

The wine festival on Frauenplan is celebrated around Goethe's birthday on 28 August. The convivial wine village with its many visitors dominates the celebrations around Goethe's birthday. The Goethe Wine Festival, initiated in the early 1990s by Thüringische Landeszeitung newspaper as a small cultural extra for the future ‘European City of Culture’, has grown over time into a bigger town festival that also attracts visitors from far beyond Thuringia.

28 - 30 August 2026
27 - 29 August 2027
www.weimar.de

Mühlhäuser Stadtkirmes

The largest town fair in Germany is celebrated in Mühlhausen in Thuringia. Its origins can be traced back to the large number of church fairs, also known as Kirmes, in the medieval imperial city. In earlier times, there were 17 churches with their own fairs. As a result, fairs were celebrated once or twice a month. A resolution passed by the town council in 1877 put an end to this. Since then, Mühlhausen has celebrated a week-long fair every year, starting at the last weekend in August. The Kirmes parade is the highlight of the fair. It traditionally takes place on the Sunday and begins at 11.00 am.
28 August - 06 September 2026
27 August - 05 September 2027
www.muehlhausen.de

Weimar Onion Market

The Weimar Onion Market is the oldest folk festival in Thuringia, attracting thousands of visitors to the city of Goethe and Schiller every year. For three days, the historic old town transforms into a vibrant marketplace featuring regional products, handicrafts, and a diverse cultural program. A highlight of the event are the artistically braided onion garlands, making this festival a truly unique experience.
09 - 11 October 2026
08 - 10 Oktober 2027
www.weimar.de