Jena Lokal - Local News, Events & Culture
Your update on city life, tips, and upcoming events in Jena.
Current event tips, concerts, exhibitions, and cultural highlights in Jena. Find out what’s happening at the Kulturarena, Theaterhaus, and the clubs of the ‘Lichtstadt’.
Jena hosted the annual meeting of the German-speaking member cities of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR), focusing on anti-discrimination work and democratic values.
Jena, April 23, 2026 – The Friedrich Schiller University Jena presents casts of ancient Acropolis reliefs in the new exhibition “Lichtwechsel”. The works are showcased using a special lighting concept to make archaeological details precisely visible.
Starting April 25, 2026, the Freiluft-StadtLab returns to Jena’s city center, transforming Engelplatz and Theatervorplatz into creative open-air zones for innovation and community encounters.
After nearly three decades of extensive renovation and preservation work, the most famous historical landmark above Jena-Lobeda shines in new splendor. The medieval ruins of the Lobdeburg, once considered the problem child of local monument preservation, have been saved from final decay through continuous, heritage-compliant restoration.
The Thüringer Gemeinschaftsschule (TGS) Kulturanum in Jena-Lobeda invites the public to an interactive “Festival of Open Doors” on April 24, 2026, to showcase its unique educational concept through hands-on activities.
The main building of the Imaginata, the former Umspannwerk Jena-Nord, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the institution is hosting a “Storytelling Café” to highlight the history of local power supply and the events surrounding the historic building.
Jena, 21.04.2026 – The City Forestry Office and Kommunalservice Jena invite the public to a rustic cooking event this coming Friday. Under the motto “Waldschmaus,” participants at the nature experience center forum natura will prepare traditional kettle goulash from regional game meat over a campfire.
With a rolling museum on rails, Jenaer Nahverkehr celebrated its 125th anniversary last Saturday. Numerous historical trams and passengers in period costumes caught the eye throughout the city.
The first highlights for Kulturarena 2026 have been announced: From July 8 to 12, the play “Kassandra: coming of age at the end of the world” will be performed on the Theatervorplatz in Jena.
In the summer of 2026, the Theatervorplatz in Schillergässchen will be transformed into a unique open-air stage, blending classical concerts with innovative urban art.