Your Day in Paradise — Jena Family Festival

Family Festival with Awareness

«Dein Tag im Paradies» combines two concepts: the classic urban family festival with activity stands and stage program, and a thematic environment day focusing on sustainability, nature, and sustainable urban living. The background: the city of Jena, JenaKultur, the Jenaer Bündnis für Familie (Jena Alliance for Family), and the Department of Urban Development and Environment jointly organize the festival to connect families and environmental initiatives — an urban approach that shapes typical Jena urban culture.

Over 50 Clubs and Institutions

The heart of the festival are the exhibitors: over 50 clubs, initiatives, and institutions from Jena present their work at hands-on stands. These include nature conservation associations (NABU, BUND), environmental education initiatives, repair cafés, sports and games clubs, music schools, daycare centers, scout groups, social initiatives, and cultural actors. Each stand offers a hands-on activity: a craft offer, a game, a workshop, a demonstration, a quiz. This is intended to invite children and families to linger and learn in the process.

Stage Program and Children's Highlights

School choirs, dance groups, children's music, youth bands, and participatory concerts alternate on stage. The program is explicitly designed for children — interactive, energetic, with lots of singing along and participation. In addition, there are stations with face painting, bouncy castles, a play course, and petting zoo elements. Food stalls and drink stands run by the clubs ensure physical well-being, and many clubs offer homemade cakes and coffee.

2026 in the Moiren District — Due to Construction Site

Traditionally, «Dein Tag im Paradies» takes place on the Rasenmühleninsel in Paradies — a narrow Saale island in the middle of the city with playgrounds, sunbathing lawns, and the Paradiesbahnhof as an anchor point. However, in 2026, the Rasenmühleninsel cannot be used due to construction work on the Saale flood protection. Therefore, the festival will take place at «Kleines Paradies» — a meadow behind the Paradiesbahnhof, in the Moiren district. This is a logistical adjustment; the festival concept remains unchanged.

Jena — City of Light in the Saale Valley

With around 110,000 inhabitants, Jena is one of the liveliest university cities in Eastern Germany, located in the state of Thuringia. Friedrich Schiller University, Carl Zeiss, Jenoptik — the city is a heavyweight in photonics, optics, and biotechnology. This makes the population young, international, and environmentally conscious — the ideal ground for a festival like «Dein Tag im Paradies». The Paradies area with the Saale floodplain, Paradiespark, and beach bar is the city's local recreation area.