Hofwiesenparkfest Gera

Hofwiesenpark — Gera's Green Lung

The Hofwiesenpark in Gera (independent city, state of Thuringia) stretches over around 60 hectares along the White Elster river between the city center and Tinz. It was created for the 2007 Federal Garden Show and has since been the city's central green recreational area — with playgrounds, a skate park, an open-air stage, and extensive meadows. The Hofwiesenparkfest on the first May weekend annually opens the park season and is one of the favorite dates for Gera families.

Three Days of Programming — May 1st to 3rd, 2026

Concerts, family programs, culinary offerings, and sports events run in parallel over the extended May weekend. The main stage is located on the central meadow square; food trucks and regional vendors line the main paths. Admission is free.

Night of Lights — The Saturday Highlight

The highlight of the festival is the Night of Lights on Saturday, May 2nd. As dusk falls, the entire park is bathed in a sea of light: thousands of candles along the paths, illuminated lanterns, decorated trees, and a colorful torchlight procession through the park. Several hot air balloons are ignited synchronously on the central meadow — a “Balloon Glow” that has become the most visible attraction of the weekend. A fire show concludes the night.

Family and Cultural Program

During the day, the festival is characterized by family activities and culture: hands-on children's activities, bouncy castles, carousels, and face painting; concerts by regional pop, rock, and folk bands on the stage; arts and crafts markets and reading corners in the pavilions. In good weather, the park attracts thousands of visitors daily.