Sonneberg Town and Museum Festival

Sonneberg – the Toy City

For centuries, Sonneberg in the southern Thuringian district of Sonneberg was the global centre of the toy industry. This is where teddy bears, building blocks, trains, and plush toys were made for the global market. To this day, the city is home to the German Toy Museum, one of the oldest and most significant specialised museums in Europe.

The Town Festival Celebrating Toys

The Stadt- und Museumsfest combines a classic town festival with a tribute to this heritage. The festival mile stretches from Woolworth-Platz in the lower town centre, through Bahnhofsstraße, up to the Stadtpark and the German Toy Museum. Three days, multiple stages, a diverse programme.

Three-Day Programme

Opening with beer tapping on Friday, an evening lantern procession from the German Toy Museum to the Stadtpark with a fire magic show. Saturday is concert and family day – stilt walkers, puppeteers, and hands-on activities in the park. Sunday features a Sunday with extended shopping hours and local shopping ('Heimatshoppen'), a regional initiative to support local retailers.

Application Deadline July 15, 2026

The application deadline for exhibitors and associations ends on July 15, 2026 – an indication of the professional organisation of the festival by the City of Sonneberg.