Experience Market and City Kart Race Sonneberg

A Kart Race in the Middle of the City

The 6-hour City Kart Race "Around the Sonneberg Rider Boy" is a nationwide specialty – the only 6-hour kart race held on a public city circuit. In 2026, the 13th edition starts. Around the race, the city of Sonneberg organizes the Experience Market, which turns the city center into a festival mile.

Market, Show, Shopping

The Bahnhofstraße connects via the PS-Boulevard to the PIKO-Platz, forming a continuous mile. At the market stalls, visitors will find balloons, children's toys, children's clothing, handmade items, minerals, jewelry, plants, records, leather goods, and curtains. Alongside this, a diverse culinary offering.

Entertainment on Both Days

The city organizes live music from street performers and beer sales on PIKO-Platz on both days. A performance artist will present soap bubble art on Saturday (May 9th, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM), and on Sunday (May 10th, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM), there will be face painting for children. Additionally, a Spring Festival organized by the railway enthusiasts at the old train station.

Sonneberg – District of Sonneberg, Thuringian Forest

Sonneberg is the district town of the District of Sonneberg in the southeastern Thuringian Forest, on the border with Bavaria. The city is known as the "World Toy City" and has a strong tradition in the doll and toy industry. The City Kart Race weekend is one of the central city festivals of the year.