Perlinale — Lauscha Glass Bead Days

Lauscha — Cradle of German Glass Artistry

Lauscha, located in the Sonneberg district and nestled in the Thuringian Forest, has been a glassblowing town since 1597. In 1847, the world's first glass Christmas bauble was blown here — an invention that spread from Hans Greiner's small workshop across the globe. To this day, Lauscha remains the center of mouth-blown glass art in Germany: glass beads, Christmas tree ornaments, glass eyes, scientific glasswork, and free-form glass art are created in family businesses and manufactories. The annual Perlinale combines this tradition with contemporary international bead art.

Three Days of Glass, Fire, Light

The ELIAS Glashütte — the Lauscha Colored Glassworks — is the main venue. Glass artists from Germany and abroad present their works at market stalls: delicate glass beads, jewelry, sculptures, and decorative objects. Parallel to this, there are live demonstrations at the torch and flame: master craftspeople shape glass beads from colored glass rods, while others demonstrate traditional bauble blowing in historical costume. Visitors can purchase Lauscha colored glass directly at the factory outlet of the Colored Glassworks.

BeadMusic Reloaded — Competition 2026

The centerpiece of the Perlinale is the glass bead competition. The theme for 2026 is «BeadMusic Reloaded» — artists create beads inspired by one of twelve curated musical pieces. The spectrum ranges from electronic tracks to rock classics. Submission deadline: February 27, 2026. The competition beads will be exhibited during the Perlinale and auctioned at the end of the festival. The proceeds go to the Initiative for Children with Cancer Jena — an important social aspect of the festival.

Workshops & Experiences

In addition to the market and competition, the Perlinale offers hands-on experiences: Dream Bauble Glass Blowing (€10 per person, ages 7 and up) and glass bead workshops for beginners. Those who want to experience the craft up close can try their hand at the torch and create their first own beads under the guidance of experienced glass artists. The restaurant Bürgerstuben in the building caters to visitors.

Sonneberg and the Thuringian Forest

Lauscha is situated in the Sonneberg district, in the very south of Thuringia, on the border with Bavaria. The town belongs to the Thuringian Forest region and is part of the traditional «Toy and Glass Route». In spring, Lauscha is particularly atmospheric with its snow-covered slopes. The Perlinale is one of the most important spring events in the cultural calendar of the Thuringian Forest, attracting glass artists from Europe and overseas.