Jena Spring Market

Spring in Jena — City of Science, Saale Valley, Friedrich Schiller

With just under 110,000 inhabitants, Jena is one of the most important university cities in Central Germany and, with Friedrich Schiller University and Zeiss, a leading science and optics city in Germany. In May, the city center transforms for the Spring Market — one of the most important city festivals in the Saale Valley.

Ten Days on Two Squares

The venues are the historic Marktplatz in front of the town hall and the Eichplatz further east. The Marktplatz hosts the musical program and gastronomy, while the Eichplatz features the amusement rides. The market runs for ten days — an unusually long duration for a city festival, which makes it a tradition in Jena.

2026 Program: The Flying Pickets, Tänzchentee, B1000-Ostrock, STADIUM, WÜSTENBERG

The 2026 musical program is diverse. Main attraction: The Flying Pickets, one of the world's best-known a cappella ensembles, famous for «Only You» in the 1980s. Also featured are regional bands: Tänzchentee, B1000-Ostrock, STADIUM, and WÜSTENBERG (Folk-Rock). The musical spectrum ranges from folk-rock to pop, Caribbean sounds, and well-known chart hits.

Carousels, Ferris Wheel, and 9D Cinema

Classic spring market attractions gather on Eichplatz: dodgems, Ferris wheel, 9D cinema, carousels. Reduced prices apply on Wednesdays and selected Fridays. Families with children will find a wide range of activities — complemented by international cuisine (crêpes, Lángos) and Thuringian specialties (Bratwurst, Rostbrätel).

Beer Tapping and Quiet Hours

The Spring Market opens on Friday, May 8th, 2026, at 5:45 PM with the traditional beer tapping ceremony on the stage. A special feature: on weekdays, there are Quiet Hours, during which the rides operate at a lower volume — a conscious gesture towards people with sensory sensitivities. The SafeNow® app allows emergency assistance requests with location transmission.

Sunday Shopping

On Sunday, May 17th, 2026, the shops in the city center will be open longer, from 12 PM to 6 PM — the city marketing department uses the market for a shopping day that makes the Spring Market an economically important event.