12. Ponitzer Lichterfest
Light installation and open-air at the Renaissance Castle — expected September 4th to 6th, 2026
About Ponitzer Lichterfest
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Renaissance Castle Ponitz — a hidden gem
Ponitz is a small municipality in the easternmost part of the Altenburger Land district, transitioning between Thuringia and Saxony's Vogtland region. The Renaissance Castle Ponitz — built at the end of the 16th century — is one of the few surviving Renaissance castles in East Thuringia. The Friends of the Renaissance Castle Ponitz Association (Förderverein Renaissanceschloss Ponitz e.V.) maintains the building and uses it as a venue for events: concerts, weddings, markets, exhibitions, and since 2015, the annual Lichterfest.
Light art in the castle courtyard — an unusual stage
The concept of the Lichterfest is simple and effective: the entire castle courtyard between the Renaissance Castle, the Ponitz Arcades, and the Castle Café is illuminated with light installations. Light art objects, illuminated sculptures, projected images onto the historic walls, and atmospheric fairy lights transform the courtyard into a special place. Anyone who has seen the castle in this lighting knows a different side of the Renaissance building.
Live music in the castle park
Parallel to the light installations, an open-air music program with a stage in the castle park takes place. The music selection is broad — from classical concerts to pop and folk. The gastronomic offerings come from the Schloss-Café Ponitz, which also has regular opening hours in the castle: regional dishes, wines from the Saale-Unstrut region, coffee, and cake. The atmosphere is family-friendly — not a mass event, but a lovingly designed local festival with character.
Altenburger Land — East Thuringia with its own profile
In the state of Thuringia, in the Altenburger Land district, Ponitz lies on the border with Saxony — a region with its own distinct cultural profile between Altenburg (ducal seat, birthplace of Skat), Schmölln, Meuselwitz, and Lucka. The Lichterfest is an example of how a small town, with dedication, establishes a format that gains regional recognition: the Altenburger Land district promotes the festival on its tourism website, and visitors also come from nearby Chemnitz, Crimmitschau, and Zwickau.
Ponitzer Lichterfest — edition 2026
12. Ponitzer Lichterfest — 2026
The Friends of the Renaissance Castle Ponitz Association annually publishes its event calendar for the Renaissance Castle — on the castle's website and on the tourism website of the Altenburger Land district. The Lichterfest traditionally falls on the first weekend of September, a time when the late summer evenings are still warm enough for an open-air festival and the onset of darkness makes the light installations truly shine.
The program will be announced shortly before the festival in the local media; tickets are usually available through the Schloss-Café Ponitz and the association.
Programme Ponitzer Lichterfest 2026
Ponitzer Lichterfest 2026 — Program Structure (typical)
Light Installations
- Castle courtyard between Renaissance Castle, Ponitz Arcades, and Castle Café
- Illuminated sculptures and light art objects
- Projections onto the historic walls
- Fairy lights and atmospheric lighting
Music
- Open-air concert in the castle park
- Stage with various acts (classical, pop, folk depending on the program)
Gastronomy
- Schloss-Café Ponitz provides food and drinks
- Regional specialties
- Saale-Unstrut wines
Atmosphere
- Family-friendly local festival with supra-regional charm
- Renaissance backdrop as the main attraction
- Evening ambiance with the onset of darkness
Details and tickets via renaissanceschloss-ponitz.de, Schloss-Café Ponitz, or by phone +49 3764 4294 / +49 3764 796364.
Highlights Ponitzer Lichterfest 2026
- 12. Ponitzer Lichterfest at the Renaissance Castle
- First weekend of September — expected September 4th–6th, 2026
- Light installations in the castle courtyard
- Open-air music in the castle park
- Schloss-Café Ponitz for gastronomy
- Renaissance backdrop from the late 16th century
Prices Ponitzer Lichterfest 2026
Admission according to program — moderate fee for the Lichterfest. Details via Schloss-Café Ponitz, [email protected], and by phone +49 3764 4294 / 796364.
Practical information — Ponitzer Lichterfest
Date 2026
12. Ponitzer Lichterfest: expected on the first weekend of September (Friday, September 4th to Sunday, September 6th, 2026). The exact date will be announced by the Friends of the Renaissance Castle Ponitz Association in spring 2026.
Location
Renaissance Castle Ponitz, castle courtyard and park, 04639 Ponitz, Altenburger Land district, Thuringia.
Admission
Admission according to program — typically a moderate fee for the light art experience and the open-air concert. Details via [email protected] or by phone +49 3764 4294 / +49 3764 796364.
Getting there
By car: A4 exit Schmölln or Crimmitschau-Ost, then drive to the castle village. By train: Crimmitschau station (Saxony), then by car.
Organizer
Schloss-Café Ponitz, Municipality of Ponitz, and Friends of the Renaissance Castle Ponitz Association (Förderverein Renaissanceschloss Ponitz e.V.). Information: renaissanceschloss-ponitz.de and schloss-ponitz.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Ponitzer Lichterfest
Renaissanceschloss Ponitz — Schlosshof und Schlosspark
Renaissanceschloss Ponitz, 04639 Ponitz, 04639 Ponitz