Jena Christmas Market

Two Centuries of Christmas Market Tradition

In 2026, the Jena Christmas Market celebrates 200 years of tradition, making it one of Thuringia's oldest Christmas markets. From November 25 to December 22, 2026, the historic market square, under the gaze of the town hall and St. Michael's Church, transforms into a stage of festive light, spicy aromas, and Thuringian handicraft traditions.

60 Stalls and Thuringia's Tallest Pyramid

Around 60 festively decorated stalls offer gifts, sweets, and handicrafts – from Lauscha glass baubles and Erzgebirge wood art to stollen, candied almonds, and mulled wine. In the center of the market square stands a giant, illuminated Christmas tree. On the adjacent Eichplatz, you'll find Thuringia's tallest Christmas pyramid – a landmark of the festival and a popular meeting point for locals and visitors.

Daily Tower Brass Music from the Town Hall Tower

The highlight of each day is the tower brass music: "From the window of the historic town hall tower, musicians from the Carl Zeiss Jena Brass Band play Christmas carols every day from 5 PM." – a tradition upheld for over 25 years. As the first notes float over the market square, the hustle and bustle pauses for a moment – a magical instant in the midst of the pre-Christmas season.

Historic Christmas Market at Johannistor

From November 26 to December 13, 2026, the historic Christmas market will open in parallel between Johannistor and Pulverturm. Here, everything revolves around medieval crafts: blacksmiths, potters, basket weavers, and candlemakers in historical attire, along with mead, stick bread, and suckling pig roasted over an open fire. The historic setting of the medieval city wall makes this market one of Thuringia's most atmospheric Advent experiences.

Jena – University City in the Saale Valley

The city of Jena, with around 110,000 inhabitants, is located in the state of Thuringia, nestled in the narrow Saale valley, and is the third-largest city in the state after Erfurt and Weimar. The Friedrich Schiller University, Carl Zeiss optics, and the views of the striking mountains of the Saale valley (Jenzig, Forst, Kernberge) shape the atmosphere. Visitors to the Christmas market can also use the easily accessible city center to visit the Optical Museum or the Romantikerhaus.