Open-air feeling in Thuringia

Memorable outdoor experiences

A balmy summer evening, you've got a cold drink in your hand and are listening to some great music. Experience first-class concerts, theatre performances, town festivals and more outdoors and in unusual places. Hello open-air feeling in Thuringia!

Thüringer Schlossfestspiele Sondershausen

An open-air event that is a firm fixture in Thuringia's summer festival calendar. Attend amazing theatre and music performances in front of Sondershausen Palace. During the intermissions, you can stroll around the palace grounds and get some exclusive glimpses behind the scenes. Learn more here.

Sommerkomödie Erfurt

On balmy summer evenings, the ruin of the Barfüßer church in the middle of Erfurt's old city centre is turned into an impressive stage. Cleverly transformed with summery decorations – fairy lights, palm trees and flowers – it becomes an unusual setting for dance and theatre performances, readings, concerts and much more. Experience culture in a historic ambience. Learn more here.

Gothardusfest

Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim is the town of Gotha's patron saint. The annual Gothardus festival, Gotha's most important and largest town festival, is celebrated in his honour. A programme of cultural events right in the city centre features artistes, jesters, dancers and musicians. There's also a wide range of culinary specialities and traditional artisanry on offer, of course. Learn more here.

KulturArena Jena

Every year, the KulturArena Jena attracts artists and by now over 70,000 visitors to the city. The seven-week festival begins with four days of theatre performances, followed by a varied programme of films, concerts and events for children. The musical spectrum of the concerts ranges from jazz and electronic to hip-hop and rock, tends to be unconventional – and extremely international. Learn more here.

ILMPULS Festival

Eleven hours of live music on three stages, right in the middle of Ilmenau's municipal park: At the ILMPULS Festival, the spotlight is on regional and national bands from a wide range of different music genres. The entire event is also organised with sustainability in mind. Meaning regional street food, as well as carbon neutral printed flyers, posters and tickets. A special kind of open-air highlight. Learn more here.