Name: 27th Apoldaer Lichterfest 2026 2026
Start: 2026-11-27T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-29T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Marktplatz Apolda

Apoldaer Lichterfest

About Apoldaer Lichterfest

From November 27th to 29th, 2026, the market square of Apolda, the Bell City, will be transformed for the 27th time into a pre-Christmas sea of lights. The Apoldaer Lichterfest combines a Christmas atmosphere with light installations, warm mood lighting, mulled wine, gingerbread, a festive Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and a stollen cutting. The city's associations and restaurateurs shape the festival, which traditionally takes place on the first weekend of Advent.

Dates 27 Nov — 29 Nov 2026

Venue Apolda (16071)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Apoldaer Lichterfest — edition 2026

The 27th Apoldaer Lichterfest 2026 runs from November 27th to 29th on the market square of the Bell City. On Friday evening, the Christmas tree and market lights are bathed in warm mood lighting; a communal stollen cutting opens the season. Light installations, gingerbread, mulled wine, and associations characterize the festival. Free admission.

2026 Season — 27th Edition on the First Advent Weekend

The 27th edition maintains the proven structure: a three-day light and market event around Apolda's market square, supported by associations, schools, crafts, and gastronomy. Friday evening is the highlight of the entire season: Christmas tree setup, light-on ceremony on the market square, communal stollen cutting.

Highlights Apoldaer Lichterfest 2026

27th Apoldaer Lichterfest on the 1st Advent weekend
Light installations on the market square
Festive Christmas tree lighting on Friday evening
Traditional stollen cutting
Bell foundry and crafts on-site
Participation of Apolda's associations
Free admission

Programme Apoldaer Lichterfest 2026

Friday, November 27th, 2026 — Opening

Evening Christmas tree setup on the market square
Festive illumination of the market lights
Communal stollen cutting with local bakeries
Opening program by the associations

Saturday, November 28th, 2026

Market open during the day and evening
Live music (associations and local bands)
Artisans: presenting bronzes, pottery, and bell crafts

Sunday, November 29th, 2026

Family Sunday with children's program
Mulled wine, gingerbread, bratwurst, candied almonds
Closing concert in the town center

Detailed program from November on apolda.de.

Prices Apoldaer Lichterfest 2026

Admission to the festival is free. Food and drinks at stalls at market prices (mulled wine €3-4, bratwurst €3-5). The Apolda Tourist Information can provide details on stall opening hours at +49 3644 650100.

Practical information

Practical information — Apoldaer Lichterfest

Date 2026

November 27th to 29th, 2026 (1st Advent weekend).

Location

Marktplatz, 99510 Apolda (in front of the town hall).

Getting There

Train: Apolda Station (ICE stop on the Frankfurt-Berlin line), approx. 10 min walk to the market square. Car: Take the A4 exit Apolda, use the multi-storey car park in the city center.

Admission

Free. Food and drinks at the stalls.

Tourist Information

Tourist-Information Apolda, Markt 1, 99510 Apolda, Tel. +49 3644 650100.

Accommodation

Hotels in Apolda and Weimar (15 min by train), holiday accommodations in Weimarer Land.

Christmas Kick-off on Apolda's Market Square

The Apoldaer Lichterfest is the pre-Christmas opener for the Bell City of Apolda and one of Thuringia's most atmospheric small Christmas markets. In 2026, the 27th edition runs from Friday, November 27th to Sunday, November 29th — traditionally on the first weekend of Advent. The venue is the entire market square around the town hall, which will be bathed in warm mood lighting for three days.

Light Installations, Stollen Cutting, Christmas Tree Lighting

On Friday evening, the Christmas tree will be officially erected and festively illuminated; the entire market square will shine in warm light. Light installations and small light art objects line the square, along with the traditional stollen cutting — a joint ritual with the local bakery trade and guests from the city and surrounding areas. Mulled wine, gingerbread, candied almonds, and bratwurst stands characterize the gastronomic offerings. The scent of fir wood, cinnamon, and mulled wine fills the entire market — the classic Christmas market sound of a small district town.

Associations, Crafts, and Volunteer Engagement

A characteristic feature of the Lichterfest is the strong participation of Apolda's associations, schools, and initiatives. They run a large part of the stalls, organize the stage program, and ensure the family-friendly atmosphere. Craft businesses — from pottery and goldsmithing to the bell foundry — present their products. Apolda is home to numerous historical bell foundries; bell crafts and small bronzes are accordingly prominently represented.

Apolda — Bell City in the Weimarer Land

The Bell City of Apolda in the Weimarer Land district (state of Thuringia) is famous for its bell foundries and knitwear industry. The central market square with its neoclassical town hall is one of the most beautiful stages for a Christmas celebration in Eastern Thuringia. Apolda is accessible via the ICE high-speed train line within 15 minutes from Weimar; from Jena and Erfurt, it's a classic day trip — especially on the Lichterfest weekend, a popular destination for families.