Gera Beach

Gera — Otto Dix City in Eastern Thuringia

With around 92,000 inhabitants, Gera is the third-largest city in Thuringia and an independent city in the east of the state. Known as the birthplace of the painter Otto Dix, the city is characterized by a mix of industrial culture, Bauhaus architecture, and a vibrant theatre and music scene centered around the Altenburg-Gera Theatre. In summer, the historic market square with the town hall regularly transforms into an open-air stage — Gera Beach is one of the summer formats that has been part of this for years.

Sand in the Middle of the City Centre

What makes Gera Beach special is the relocation of beach feeling to the urban centre: tons of sand are piled onto the market square and adjacent areas, beach chairs and lounging areas are set up, and beach volleyball courts are marked out. For six days, the city centre is a playground, sports field, and living room all at once. During the day, beach sports tournaments (volleyball, soccer, tennis) take place, and in the evenings, there are concerts, DJ sets, and the summer cinema.

Program for All Generations

From 9:00 AM, the court belongs to the youngest: kindergartens and schools from Gera and the surrounding area use the beach for sports activities — an unusual mix of school sports and holiday atmosphere. At midday and in the afternoon, regional and national beach sports teams compete in tournaments. From Wednesday to Friday, the summer cinema starts at 8:00 PM, and on Sunday afternoons, there's a children's film program. The Kanitz Lounge, as a family zone, offers refreshments, loungers, and «Gera's largest sandbox» — perfect for parents with small children.

Sport, Charity, and «Summer in the City»

Gera Beach sees itself not only as a leisure event but also as a charity format: prize money and donations from tournaments went to the ISA Kompass Children's Home in 2025, among others — a tradition that will continue in 2026. The event is part of the city's «Summer in the City» program, which offers numerous free outdoor events during the summer holidays. In the state of Thuringia, in the independent city of Gera, Gera Beach has become an integral part of the event calendar, attracting visitors from the Saale-Holzland district, the Greiz district, and the Altenburger Land district.