Apoldaer Park- und Heimatfest
Ten days of Volksfest on the Herressener Promenade — from June 5th to 14th, 2026, with a fireworks display
About Park- und Heimatfest Apolda
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100 Years of Apoldaer Park- und Heimatfest
When the carousels spin on the festival grounds at the Herressener Promenade in June, Apolda is in a state of excitement. The Park- und Heimatfest is the city's largest Volksfest — and with its 100-year history (first edition 1926), one of the oldest urban festivals in the Weimarer Land. Back then, the festival, invented by the local beautification association, attracted around 9,000 visitors with illuminated promenades, fireworks, showman stalls, and food stands. After a 15-year hiatus due to World War II and its consequences, the city revived it in 1954 as the "Festival of Ten Thousand Lights" — a name that still shapes the atmosphere today.
Ten Days of Volksfest, Classic Program
Over ten days, showman stalls, rides, food stands, beer gardens, and stages are spread across the festival grounds. The showman stalls open daily from 3 PM. Cover bands, pop stars, and regional music groups perform on the festival stage. The program includes children's days, a dedicated senior's afternoon, and the traditional Family Day on Wednesdays with reduced prices on rides — a special day for many Apolda families.
Fireworks Display on the Second Weekend
The perceived highlight is the Brilliant Fireworks Display on the Saturday evening of the second festival weekend — fired directly over the festival grounds. The promenade serves as a natural viewing point, and thousands stand shoulder to shoulder along the path. Music performances also shape the festival weeks. In recent editions, bands like Stereoact and shows like "Queen classic" have graced the stage — a mix of cover band sound, pop music, and classical crossover programs.
Environment Day and City Runs as Accompanying Program
Embedded in the festival program are an "Environment Day" with children's sports competitions, relay races, and city runs over various distances. Schools and clubs from the Weimarer Land compete against each other — the Park- und Heimatfest is thus also a sports event, not just an amusement park.
Apolda: Bell City Between Weimar and Jena
Apolda is located in the Weimarer Land district, southwest of the Saale river. The city is known as the "Bell City" — the Bell Museum commemorates the centuries-old tradition of bell casting. Those arriving for the Park- und Heimatfest can easily combine their visit with Weimar (Goethe, Schiller, Bauhaus) and Jena (university city with Carl Zeiss Planetarium) — both only 15-20 minutes away by train.
Park- und Heimatfest Apolda — edition 2026
Ten Days of Volksfest in the Anniversary Year
From June 5th to 14th, 2026, the festival grounds at Herressener Promenade will be transformed into a fairground for the 100th time. Showman stalls, carousels, rides, and food stands open daily from 3 PM. A mixed music program is planned on the festival stage — from cover bands and pop stars to classical crossover concerts.
Family Day and Fireworks
Wednesday is the traditional Family Day with reduced rates. The perceived highlight — the grand Brilliant Fireworks Display — follows on the Saturday of the second festival weekend (June 13th, 2026), directly above the festival grounds.
Programme Park- und Heimatfest Apolda 2026
Program Structure 2026 — 100 Years of Park- und Heimatfest
- Opening: Friday, June 5th, 2026, in the late afternoon
- Opening Hours: daily from 3 PM until evening
- Family Day: Wednesday, June 10th — reduced rates on carousels and games
- Environment Day: Children's sports competitions, school relay races, city runs
- Seniors' Afternoon: Program with music and catering
- Stage Program: Cover bands, pop stars, crossover programs — in past years, including Stereoact and "Queen classic"
- Brilliant Fireworks Display: Saturday, June 13th, 2026 (second festival weekend), in the evening over the festival grounds
- Closing: Sunday, June 14th, 2026, with family and closing program
- Festival Grounds: Festival grounds at Herressener Promenade — rides, showmen, food and drink stands, beer garden
Detailed program and artist confirmations will be published via www.apolda.de in the months leading up to the festival.
Highlights Park- und Heimatfest Apolda 2026
- 100 Years of Apoldaer Park- und Heimatfest (Anniversary Edition)
- Ten days of Volksfest on the Herressener Promenade festival grounds
- Family Day on Wednesday with reduced rates
- Brilliant fireworks display on the second festival weekend
- Environment Day with children's and school sports competitions
Prices Park- und Heimatfest Apolda 2026
Admission to the festival grounds is free. Carousels, rides, and games are charged individually. Family Day on Wednesday with reduced rates at most rides and game stalls.
Practical information — Park- und Heimatfest Apolda
Date and Location
June 5th to 14th, 2026, on the festival grounds at Herressener Promenade, Apolda. Opening hours: daily from 3 PM.
Admission
Admission to the festival grounds is free. Rides and showman stalls are charged per use. Family Day on Wednesday with reduced rates on carousels and games.
Getting There
Apolda train station (RB Erfurt — Halle, RE Eisenach — Halle). From the station, a 15-minute walk or take the city bus to Herressener Promenade. A4 motorway (Frankfurt — Dresden) exit Apolda. Parking facilities at the festival site are signposted.
Fireworks Display
Saturday of the second festival weekend — Brilliant fireworks display directly over the festival grounds.
Organizer
City of Apolda. Information and program at www.apolda.de/tourismus-kultur.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Park- und Heimatfest Apolda al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Park- und Heimatfest Apolda
Festwiese Herressener Promenade, Apolda
Herressener Promenade, 99510 Apolda