Name: Experience Market and City Kart Race Sonneberg 2026
Start: 2026-05-09T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-10T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Bahnhofstraße, PS-Boulevard und PIKO-Platz Sonneberg

Experience Market Sonneberg

About Experience Market Sonneberg

At Germany's only 6-hour city kart race, the Sonneberg city center transforms into an experience mile. Market stalls, the "PS-Boulevard" from Motorsport Grünewald, and a Sunday with open shops attract thousands of visitors. The spectacle combines motorsport tradition with a local city festival character and in 2026 extends from May 9th to 10th between Bahnhofstraße and PIKO-Platz – the 13th edition of the City Kart Race.

Dates 09 May — 10 May 2026

Venue Sonneberg (16072)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Experience Market Sonneberg — edition 2026

From May 9th to 10th, 2026, the Experience Market accompanies the 13th City Kart Race "Around the Sonneberg Rider Boy". Market stalls, the "PS-Boulevard", a Sunday with open shops, a stage program, and family activities turn the weekend into a city festival stretching from Bahnhofstraße to PIKO-Platz.

The application deadline for exhibitors ended on April 15th, 2026. As part of the race weekend, the city of Sonneberg invites visitors under the motto "Soaring High with the Heli" and with other special promotions.

Highlights Experience Market Sonneberg 2026

13th City Kart Race "Around the Rider Boy"; Sunday with open shops; PS-Boulevard; soap bubble art and face painting.

Programme Experience Market Sonneberg 2026

Saturday, May 9th, 2026

Experience Market from Bahnhofstraße to PIKO-Platz
PS-Boulevard with vehicles from various car dealers
6h City Kart Race Sonneberg (13th edition)
2:00 PM–5:00 PM – Soap Bubble Art on PIKO-Platz
Stage program with street artists and live music
Spring Festival by the railway enthusiasts at the old train station

Sunday, May 10th, 2026

Sunday with Open Shops
2:00 PM–6:00 PM – Face Painting on PIKO-Platz
Experience Market open continuously
Market stalls: toys, clothing, handmade items, minerals, jewelry, plants, records, leather goods
PIKO-Platz: Beer sales, live music

Prices Experience Market Sonneberg 2026

Free admission.

Practical information

Practical information — Experience Market Sonneberg

Getting There

Sonneberg is located on the A 73 (Sonneberg exit). Sonneberg (Thür) train station on the Lichtenfels–Saalfeld line.

Admission

Free admission. Stalls and catering at market prices.

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.