What's happening in Thuringia this weekend of July 25 and 26? This time engine noise meets pottery wheels, wine tents meet a grill factory, big stages meet small courtyards. The south roars with the German TT at the Schleizer Dreieck, while potters' wheels turn in Jena and the cathedral organ keeps playing in Erfurt. Our favourite this time carries no big name at all: it's the Thürosfest in Georgenthal, where a grill manufacturer opens its factory halls for an entire weekend. Eleven picks between racetrack and village hall.
German TT at the Schleizer Dreieck: motorsport on historic tarmac
From July 24 to 26, 2026, engines roar again at the Schleizer Dreieck near Schleiz. The German TT ranks among Germany's best-known road races and runs on a historic natural-road circuit in the Saale-Orla district. Organised by MAXX Moto GmbH, the weekend combines top-level motorsport with an extensive paddock programme. If you'd rather hear screeching tyres than live bands this weekend, the Schleizer Dreieck is where you want to be.
Schleusinger Countryfestival: cowboy boots at the Bergsee Ratscher
The Bergsee Ratscher near Schleusingen gets loud too: from July 24 to 26, 2026, the 39th edition of the Schleusinger Countryfestival takes over the lake, one of Germany's most significant country-music open-airs. Three days of live country right by the water, with international acts, cowboy flair and lakeside camping. A country camp with daily live music already opened on July 19. For Western mood with a lake view, this is the address in southern Thuringia.
Organ concerts at Erfurt Cathedral: Saturday evening under Gothic vaults
On Saturday, July 25, at 7:30 pm, the series 32nd International Organ Concerts at Erfurt Cathedral continues too. All summer long, from May 30 to August 29, 2026, renowned international organists play on Saturdays at the organs of Erfurt Cathedral of St Mary and the neighbouring Cruciskirche — among them Johannes Unger from Lübeck and William Fox of Westminster Cathedral. The Domplatz in the heart of the regional capital is one of central Germany's most striking church settings. To close Saturday evening on a calm note, Erfurt has the right date.
Jena Pottery Market: 60 workshops on the historic market square
On July 25 and 26, 2026, Jena's market square turns into an open-air pottery workshop for the 29th time. Over 60 potters from Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and across Germany show their craft at the Jena Pottery Market — from everyday stoneware to decoration and jewellery. Hands-on activities and demonstrations of historic firing and glazing techniques invite visitors to watch and try things themselves. Anyone who'd rather browse market stalls than stand in front of a stage should head to Jena this weekend.
Altstadtfest Hildburghausen: a town festival on the last July weekend
Traditionally on the last weekend of July, Hildburghausen's historic market square fills with stages, stalls and crowds. The Altstadtfest Hildburghausen is expected to run on July 25 and 26, 2026, with live music of various genres, crafts and regional food. A varied family programme with activities for children rounds out the two-day town festival, organised by the town itself. For a classic town festival without a big name but plenty of local colour, Hildburghausen delivers.
Palatinate Wine Festival, Bad Klosterlausnitz: wine from a partner region
The Palatinate Wine Festival is one of the most popular folk festivals in Bad Klosterlausnitz and traditionally takes place on the last weekend of July in the spa park — in 2026 from July 25 to 26, for the 33rd time. Winegrowers from the partner district of Bad Dürkheim present their wines in the open air, with live music on the park stage. The festival traces back to the partnership between the Saale-Holzland district and the Palatinate. If you prefer wine over beer, the spa park is your weekend alternative.
JAAS Festival, Meuselwitz: electro and hip-hop by the lake
On Saturday, July 25, 2026, eastern Thuringia's electronic and hip-hop scene gathers by the Haselbacher See near Meuselwitz. The JAAS Festival runs under the motto “Love, Friends and Music” and brings acts including Die Gebrüder Brett, Stereoact with Lena Marie Engel, and Komacasper to the stage. As the Altenburger Land's big open-air festival, it draws crowds from well beyond the region. Anyone after bass instead of brass band music will find the loudest date of the weekend here.
Burghoftheater Kapellendorf: cabaret in the courtyard of a moated castle
Since July 16 and running through August 29, the Burghoftheater Kapellendorf opens the courtyard of the Kapellendorf moated castle every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 pm — this weekend, that means Saturday. Cabaret, comedy and small-stage performance under the open sky, in one of Thuringia's best-preserved lowland castles: that's the summer season of this short-form stage. Tickets are only available by phone reservation. For cabaret in an unusual setting, Kapellendorf, a few kilometres from Weimar, offers a quiet counterpoint to the weekend's louder dates.
Thürosfest Georgenthal: grill culture straight from the manufacturer — our favourite
For two days, steel grill maker THÜROS in Georgenthal opens its factory halls to visitors. The Thürosfest combines grilling demonstrations on the company's own equipment with a specialty and crafts market, food from local clubs, and live music across the factory grounds. No concert name draws the crowds here — a company turns its own workshop into a festival ground for one weekend. That's exactly why the Thürosfest is our favourite: a company party that becomes a village festival for all of Georgenthal, on July 25 and 26, 2026.
Waldkirmes Pfiffelbach: a village fete at the forest stage since 1991
In the Pfiffelbach district of the municipality of Ilmtal-Weinstraße, the Pfiffelbacher Waldfestverein e.V. has hosted the Waldkirmes since 1991. In 2026 it runs on July 24 and 25 at the forest stage, under the traditional motto “Hunger and Thirst”. A fair church service, serenades, an evening of dancing and a campfire mark this down-to-earth village fete in the Weimarer Land district. No programme booklet, no big names — just a club carrying the same tradition for over three decades. For real village life away from festival line-ups, head to Pfiffelbach on Friday evening and Saturday.
Apoldaer Biersommer: 23rd edition with a beer king and body painting
The Apoldaer Biersommer is the annual summer festival of the Apolda cooperative brewery, founded in 1887. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, the brewery celebrates its 23rd edition on the grounds by the Topfmarkt — with the crowning of the Apolda beer king, live music, Bavarian food and the international Apolda body-painting competition in the festival hall. A one-day festival that pairs beer-festival culture with a rather unusual side attraction. For one last stop before the weekend ends, Apolda delivers on Saturday night.
For more events across Germany, see our agenda for this weekend. Between racetrack, potter's wheel and factory floor — enjoy the July 25-26 weekend in Thuringia!
