Social Events

Beyond the scientific program, CLEF 2026 offers various social events.

Jenaer Altstadtfest (Old Town Festival)

If you arrive on Sunday, the Jenaer Altstadtfest, an open-air festival with music and events all throughout the inner city is the perfect opportunity to get to know Jena before the conference starts.

  • Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
  • Time: Whole Day
  • Location: Inner City
© jena-veranstaltungen.de ➚

Welcome Reception

Join us for drinks and canapés at the Welcome Reception on the first evening of CLEF 2026. The Welcome Reception will be held at the historic Volksbad, a beautifully restored Art Nouveau building, originally a bathhouse, from 1909. This informal gathering provides an excellent opportunity to network with fellow researchers and get to know the CLEF community.

  • Date: Monday, September 21, 2026
  • Time: 18:30 - 22:00
  • Location: Volksbad, Knebelstraße 10, DE-07743 Jena
© Wikimedia ➚

Conference Dinner

The conference dinner, during which the best paper awards are presented, will take place at the Planetarium Jena, the oldest operating planetarium in the world.

  • Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
  • Time: 19:00 - 22:30
  • Location: Planetarium / Restaurant Bauersfeld, Am Planetarium 5, DE-07743 Jena
© planetarium-jena.de ➚

Local Attractions

Beyond the organized social events, Jena offers many attractions worth exploring during the conference. A comprehensive guide can be found on the visit-jena.de website (English version available), with a corresponding event calendar at jena-veranstaltungen.de. Recommended attractions include:

  • Botanical Garden: The second-oldest botanical gardens in Germany hosts a large collection of species both in greenhouses and in a sprawling park.
  • JenTower: The observation deck of the JenTower, located directly adjacent to the conference venue offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape.
  • Phyletic Museum: A natural history museum with focus on evolution; exhibits include skeletons, stuffed animals, fossils and famous zoological artworks from Ernst Haeckel’s “Kunstformen der Natur”.
  • Schiller’s Garden House: A historical site where the German poet Friedrich Schiller lived.
  • Paradies: The green oasis in the heart of the city center, located directly on the Saale River, is a perfect place for sports, play, and relaxation.
  • Kernberge: The light-colored shell limestone cliffs of the Kernberge are only a short trip from the city and offer beautiful hiking and trailrunning opportunities.