Major Events & Festivals in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

1. Christmas Market at Nikolaiplatz

A festive market filled with traditional German crafts, food, and drinks during the holiday season.

Unique Decorations: Features a beautiful ice rink and intricate Christmas decorations.
Traditional Foods: Offers traditional German foods such as Glühwein (mulled wine), roasted almonds, and sausages.
Live Performances: Hosts live music performances adding to the festive atmosphere.

Europe's largest and oldest book fair showcasing a wide range of books, authors, and publishing houses.

International Participants: Brings together publishers and authors from all over the world.
Literary Events: Features literary readings, panel discussions, and workshops.
Book Signing Sessions: Provides opportunities for fans to meet their favorite authors and get books signed.

A four-day gothic music festival attracting fans from all over the world.

Live Performances: Features live performances by bands within the gothic and dark wave genre.
Costume Parades: Includes spectacular costume parades showcasing participants' creativity.
Marketplace: Has a marketplace selling gothic fashion, accessories, and music-related items.

A traditional St. John's Day celebration with bonfires, music, and dance.

Bonfire Celebrations: Involves building and lighting large community bonfires.
Folk Music Performances: Features folk music performances by local bands.
Community Spirit: Encourages community participation and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie.

An annual marathon event attracting runners from all over the world.

Scenic Route: Offers a scenic route through Leipzig's parks and landmarks.
Distance Options: Provides options for full marathon, half marathon, and relay races.
Charity Support: Supports various charities through participant fundraising efforts.

A night when all museums in Leipzig are open until late and offer special events.

Late-Night Openings: Museums stay open longer than usual, often until midnight.
Special Events: Features special events such as live music performances and workshops.
Exhibit Access: Provides access to temporary exhibits that may not be available during regular hours.

A festival showcasing a variety of theatre performances from around the world.

International Participants: Features performances by international theater companies.
Variety of Genres: Offers a wide range of genres including drama, comedy, and dance.
Workshops and Discussions: Includes workshops and discussions with theater professionals.

A three-day jazz festival featuring performances by international artists.

Live Performances: Features live performances by renowned jazz musicians.
Jazz Workshops: Offers jazz workshops for beginners and advanced players.
Jam Sessions: Provides opportunities for musicians to participate in jam sessions.

A Christmas market set against the backdrop of the monument celebrating the Battle of Nations.

Historic Setting: Held at a historic monument commemorating the Battle of Nations.
Unique Shopping Opportunities: Offers unique shopping opportunities for traditional German crafts and gifts.
Festive Atmosphere: Creates a festive atmosphere with Christmas decorations, lights, and music.

A series of open-air concerts featuring a variety of music genres.

Variety of Music Genres: Features a wide range of music genres including classical, jazz, and pop.
Open-Air Venues: Takes place at various open-air venues throughout the city.
Relaxed Atmosphere: Offers a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for concert-goers.

A festival celebrating the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Historical Significance: Honors the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach, a renowned composer from Leipzig.
Concert Performances: Features concert performances of Bach's compositions.
Lectures and Workshops: Includes lectures and workshops about Bach's life and music.

A festival showcasing contemporary dance performances from around the world.

International Participants: Features performances by international contemporary dance companies.
Variety of Styles: Offers a variety of contemporary dance styles including ballet, hip-hop, and modern dance.
Workshops and Discussions: Includes workshops and discussions with dancers and choreographers.

A film festival showcasing independent and international films.

Independent Cinema: Focuses on independent cinema and filmmaking.
International Participants: Features films from various countries around the world.
Awards Ceremony: Holds an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding achievements in filmmaking.

A festival celebrating contemporary art and artists.

Contemporary Art Exhibitions: Features exhibitions showcasing contemporary artworks.
International Participants: Involves artists and galleries from various countries.
Workshops and Discussions: Offers workshops and discussions with artists, curators, and art critics.

A festival celebrating local and international craft beers.

Local and International Breweries: Features breweries from Leipzig and around the world.
Tasting Sessions: Offers tasting sessions for visitors to try various beers.
Live Music Performances: Features live music performances adding to the festive atmosphere.