Painters, Goethe, and Sports: What Museums Will Entice in 2026 - Thuringia’s 2026 cultural boom celebrates Goethe, Rembrandt and museum milestones
Thuringia is set for a busy cultural year in 2026. Several museums will mark major anniversaries, while special exhibitions and renovations are also planned. From Goethe’s legacy in Ilmenau to Rembrandt’s influence in Gotha, the region will offer a mix of history, art, and celebration.
Ilmenau will kick off the year with a jubilee programme on May 3, 2026, honouring the 250th anniversary of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s first visit. Meanwhile, the city has allocated funds for museum upgrades, including a 20,000-euro renewal of the entrance staircase at the Art Museum Gabelbach.
Other cities will also host notable events. The Pößneck City Museum will run a special exhibition from June 4 to September 29, 2026, marking the 150th birthday of painter Franz Huth. Residents are invited to contribute their own 'Huth' memories to the display. In Altenburg, the Lindenau Museum will showcase 'The Fantastical Gerhard Altenbourg' from May 12 to August 16, 2026, celebrating the artist’s 100th birthday. Several museums will reach milestone anniversaries in 2026. The Metal Craft Museum in Steinbach-Hallenberg turns 30, while the Luther House in Eisenach marks 70 years. The German Toy Museum in Sonneberg will celebrate its 125th anniversary, and the Nordhausen Municipal Museums will observe 150 years. Later in the year, the Duke’s Museum in Gotha will host 'Rembrandt 1632: The Making of a Brand' from September 5 to December 6, 2026. The Erfurt City Museum will also open 'Love, Achievement, Passion' on April 29, 2026, exploring the sports history of Thuringia’s capital. In Weimar, Goethe’s house will close for renovations on November 1, 2026, remaining shut for roughly three years.
The year 2026 will bring a mix of exhibitions, renovations, and anniversaries across Thuringia. Museums in Ilmenau, Gotha, Altenburg, and other cities will offer new cultural experiences. Some venues, like Goethe’s house in Weimar, will temporarily close for upgrades.
