Jena Old Town Festival

Ten Days of City Festival in the University City

With over 110,000 inhabitants and the Friedrich Schiller University, Jena is one of the liveliest cities in Thuringia. The annual Altstadtfest in September is the city's biggest summer celebration. For ten days, the historic city centre around the Marktplatz and Eichplatz transforms into a vibrant festival mile — with live music, stage shows, amusement rides, food stalls, a specialities market, and thousands of visitors daily.

A Crossover Festival Musically

Unlike many city festivals in Germany, Jena doesn't focus on a single genre. On the stages, blues, rock'n'roll, dance music, and classic brass band music alternate. Local bands from Thuringia share the stage with nationally known acts, complemented by show programmes and small stage performances. During the day, the pace is family-friendly; in the evenings, the programme intensifies into a lively summer night atmosphere.

Marktplatz vs. Eichplatz — Two Atmospheres

The Marktplatz, with its historic town hall and St. Michael's Church, is the more cultural and traditional centre: stage programmes, upscale catering, historical demonstrations. The Eichplatz, on the other hand, is the entertainment centre: carousels, rides for families and thrill-seekers, loud Volksfest atmosphere, showmen, and food stalls. Families tend to move between the two squares depending on the time of day.

Culinary: Local Meets Global Market

Culinary-wise, the Altstadtfest is a journey through regional and international cuisine. Local classics — Jenaer Schellenbier (a regional brewery) and Thüringer Bratwurst with mustard from the Lehesterbach — dominate. Alongside these, there are French crêpes, Hungarian Lángos, Alsatian Flammkuchen, Italian pasta, and street food from around the world. Cafés and restaurants in the old town extend their outdoor seating and contribute to the festival atmosphere.

Organiser: JenaKultur

The Altstadtfest is organised by the municipal cultural company JenaKultur. JenaKultur also operates the Volkshaus, several museums, and handles city marketing — the Altstadtfest is their most prominent outdoor event. Tens of thousands of visitors annually make it one of the largest city festivals in Central Germany.

Jena in September — Wine, Hiking, and Science

Jena is located in the state of Thuringia, a district-free city directly on the Saale river, surrounded by steep Muschelkalk hills from the Jena Valley. In September, the days are still warm, and the evenings are mild — perfect for a city festival. For those staying longer, a visit to the Carl Zeiss Planetarium, exploring the university, or a walk along the Saale riverbank are recommended. The hills around the city are crisscrossed with hiking trails, glowing in warm colours in autumn.