Jena Christmas Market
200 Years of Tradition on the historic market square with Thuringia's tallest Christmas pyramid and daily tower brass music
About Christmas Market Jena
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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.
Christmas Market Jena — edition 2026
2026 Edition — 200 Years of Tradition
The 2026 edition celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Jena Christmas Market. The market activities are spread over four weeks around the historic market square, with Eichplatz serving as a second stage. The stalls are open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM (sales until 8 PM). The historic Christmas market at Johannistor runs for three weeks in parallel.
The daily tower brass music at 5 PM remains the emotional heart of the market – a brass Christmas serenade from the town hall tower down to the market square, performed by the Carl Zeiss Jena Brass Band.
Programme Christmas Market Jena 2026
Main Market: November 25 - December 22, 2026
- Daily 11 AM - 9 PM (sales until 8 PM)
- 5:00 PM — Tower Brass Music from the Town Hall Tower (Carl Zeiss Jena Brass Band)
- Approximately 60 festively decorated sales stalls
- Giant Christmas tree with light installation in the center
- Thuringia's tallest Christmas pyramid on Eichplatz
- Carousels and children's rides
Historic Christmas Market: November 26 - December 13, 2026
- Between Johannistor and Pulverturm
- Medieval crafts in historical attire: blacksmiths, potters, candlemakers, basket weavers
- Mead, stick bread, suckling pig roasted over an open fire
- Atmospheric setting by the medieval city wall
Culinary Offerings
- Thuringian Bratwurst and Rostbrätel
- Stollen, candied almonds, gingerbread
- Mulled wine, Feuerzangenbowle, egg punch
- Vegetarian and vegan options at several stalls
Highlights Christmas Market Jena 2026
- 200th anniversary of the Jena Christmas Market
- Daily tower brass music from the Town Hall Tower at 5 PM
- Thuringia's tallest Christmas pyramid on Eichplatz
- Around 60 festively decorated stalls
- Parallel historic Christmas market at Johannistor (26.11.-13.12.)
- Four weeks of market operations daily 11 AM - 9 PM
- Free admission
Prices Christmas Market Jena 2026
Free admission. Food and drinks at market prices. Mulled wine mugs usually require a deposit.
Practical information — Christmas Market Jena
Dates 2026
Jena Christmas Market: November 25 to December 22, 2026, daily 11 AM - 9 PM (sales until 8 PM). Historic Market at Johannistor: November 26 to December 13, 2026.
Location
Historic Market Square and Eichplatz, Jena City Center. Historic Market between Johannistor and Pulverturm.
Admission
Free.
Highlight: Tower Brass Music
Daily at 5 PM from the Town Hall Tower – a brass Christmas serenade by the Carl Zeiss Jena Brass Band.
Getting There
By train to Jena Paradies or Jena West, then approx. 5 min. walk to the market. By tram lines 1, 2, 4, or 5 to Holzmarkt. Parking at Parkhaus Neue Mitte or Eichplatz.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Christmas Market Jena al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Christmas Market Jena
Historischer Marktplatz und Eichplatz Jena
Markt, 07743 Jena