You're in the right place! Whether in nature, in the middle of the city, for families, in the countryside, historic or traditional: among Thuringia's TOP hosts, everyone will find exactly the right address.
The freedom to open your mind
FREEplay in Thuringia
Freedom is a big word. Philosophers have written about it at length, and constitutions have been based on it. But how does that relate to you? Well, there are lots of ways to feel a little more free. Freedom can mean so many things: daydreaming, tearing down mental barriers or simply taking time out. Thuringia invites you to explore freedom in all sorts of ways. Be relaxed or reflective, all by yourself or in the company of others. We’ll show you places and events that will inspire and uplift you. Find out where the action is and enjoy the freedom to experience more. Here are some tips for taking things free and easy in 2025.
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Free as a summer breeze: Jena’s Kulturarena Festival
Kulturarena Jena is one vast, continuous party. A summer festival for culture vultures with a penchant for tolerance and freedom. Concerts, theatre performances and film screenings all take place in the open air. The summer weeks do get quite lively in Jena, and you can tell that the city is home to more than 20,000 students. But even if you’re aged ever so slightly over 25, you’re bound to feel at home here. So feel free to spend some time in Jena this summer!
Next opportunity: Juli 2 – August 17, 2025
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Exuberantly cosmopolitan: the Rudolstadt Festival
The annual folk, roots and world music festival in Rudolstadt is the largest one of its kind Germany. Set in a variety of locations around the historical town, up to 30 stages offer any number of free-form acts from every corner of the globe. There’s singing, drumming and dancing. Feel free to choose between intimate courtyard concerts, vibrant world music parties and daring folk experiments. Whatever your choice, it will expand your horizons and be a lot of fun as well! As a bonus, you’ll meet like-minded people from all over the world to celebrate with.
Next date: Juli 3 – 6, 2025
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Full of quirky charm: the Stelzen Festival near Reuth
The Stelzen Festival is a wonderfully irreverent event. It also fully deserves its status as Germany’s quirkiest music festival. This is where conventional orchestral settings meet melodic milking machines. Tractors set the tone – and the tune. Table tennis rhythm sections add to the fun. This is a festival that thrives on laughter, and there’s no better medicine than that. This delightful spectacle is organised by volunteers from the village of Stelzen in Thuringia’s Vogtland region. Performers include renowned orchestral musicians and artists, some travelling here from far and wide. And if that all sounds a bit offbeat, that’s because it is!
Make a note: Juni 27 – 29, 2025
To the Website
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Awesome on a grand scale: SonneMondSterne Festival
The SonneMondSterne Festival in Saalburg-Ebersdorf is one of Europe’s largest open-air electronic music festivals. Every year on the second weekend in August, around 30,000 revellers and party people gather on the shores of Bleilochtalsperre reservoir in Thuringia. The lineup features high-calibre acts from the electronic dance music scene, with the occasional rock or pop act thrown in for good measure. The Thuringian Slate Mountains tremble as thousands dance the nights (and days) away, united by the rhythm of the music. Leave everyday worries behind for a while, as your head becomes refreshingly free. If that sounds like your sort of thing, be sure not to miss out!
See you under the stars: August 8 – 10, 2025
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Poignant and special: Yiddish Summer Weimar
The Yiddish Summer Weimar is one of the world’s leading summer programmes for Yiddish culture, combining artists’ workshops, music and interactive activities. There are Yiddish language courses, dance classes and cookery lessons. It also features striking evening concerts at special venues, such as the Old Synagogue UNESCO World Heritage site in Erfurt. The participating artists are a veritable who’s who of the Yiddish music scene. Their concerts build bridges and touch hearts, making borders between countries, religions and cultures irrelevant.
Be part of it: Juli 12 – August 17, 2025
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Evocative entertainment: SommerKomödieErfurt
Since 2018, SommerKomödieErfurt has staged regular theatre and music performances in the ruins of Erfurt’s Barfüsser Church. Once part of a Franciscan monastery, the church is now a spectacular backdrop where theatre-goers can enjoy outdoor performances in the summer. On offer are works by Shakespeare, Moliere and others, with the atmospheric Gothic walls of the church playing a leading part. The location at the heart of the old quarter opens up further options. Feel free to carry your good mood with you into the surrounding bars and restaurants.
Add to the list: Juni 20 – Juli 13, 2025
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Sustainably close to nature: the Auerworld Festival
Truly out of this world. The Auerworld Festival takes its name from its location, the town of Auerstedt in the Weimarer Land region. Every summer, it provides a gathering place for kindred spirits. On offer are music, theatre and cinema, as well as dancing, crafting and discussion groups. There are workshops to expand your horizons or teach you to relax. In the audio play meadow you can lie back in the shade and listen to stories from around the world. The catering is entirely regional and sustainable, either vegetarian or vegan. Sustainability plays an important part generally. Guests bring their own dishes and cutlery; there are no single-use options on site. Those who’ve been before are always keen to return, and they reminisce about feelings of peaceful community and freedom. Sound good to you? Then come on over!
Join the Auerworld: Juli 24 – 27, 2025
Text: Annett Morche-Ruthmann, Thüringer Tourismus GmbH
Header picture: Lutz Edelhoff is a well-known theater photographer and works for various theaters in erfurt, among others.
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Sustainable Thuringia
Sustainability is on everyone's lips, and it is important. It's about us and our future, about a healthy environment, healthy people, a fair and just world for everyone. Come along and discover good examples in Thuringia – certified spots, sustainabel offers, national natural landscapes and more!
