LEIPZIG EVENTS 2024: From UEFA to BachFest

A recent survey by the European Commission ranked Leipzig as the fourth most liveable city in Europe in 2023, highlighting its appeal as an attractive destination. There’s a lot to look forward to in Leipzig in 2024, including big anniversary celebrations, art festivals, big sporting events (including the UEFA) and concerts to cater to all music tastes. Please find a selection of some of our highlight 2024 events this year below. 

As of this year, all permanent exhibitions in the city’s museums will be free of charge. Visitors can use the free app “Explore Leipzig” for individual digital city tours and purchase the Leipzig Card for special offers and unlimited travel on public transport.

MUSIC 

Events Marking the 300th Anniversary of Bach’s Arrival in Leipzig (until June 2024) 

Leipzig is celebrating the 300th anniversary of Bach's appointment as Thomaskantor, the musical director of the internationally renowned boys’ choir founded in Leipzig in 1212, the Thomanerchor. Events including performances from the Thomanerchor and the Gewandhausorchester, the oldest civic symphony orchestra in the world, will be held at St Thomas Church, St Nicholas Church and the Leipzig Bach Archive until June.

BurgenLandKlänge Concerts in the Region (20 January to 9 November 2024) 

Unique musical experiences in unusual places are guaranteed at events in the BurgenLandKlänge series. From jazz in a magnificent palace to blues in an impressive stately home and Hollywood tunes under the open sky - there is music in the air all year round. Over 100 events are brought together under the BurgenLandKlänge label each year. They take place in 15 historic venues, including the Kriebstein Lake Stage and the Rochlitz Hill. Other venues include the castles of Colditz and Trebsen. 

St John Passion BWV 245 – Johann Sebastian Bach (28 and 29 March 2024)  

To mark the 300th anniversary of the premiere of Bach’s St John Passion, music lovers can enjoy a performance by the Thomanerchor and soloists and members of the Gewandhausorchester on 28 March 2024 in the St Thomas Church and on 29 March 2024 in the St Nicholas Church. As Thomaskantor, Johann Sebastian Bach was responsible for the church music in four Leipzig churches – most of the world premieres took place in these two original churches.

200th Anniversary of the Premiere of Beethoven's 9th Symphony (7 to 8 May 2024)  

7 May 2024 will mark the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. The Gewandhausorchester will celebrate the occasion with two concerts conducted by Andris Nelsons. The world-famous text "Freude schöner Götterfunken", which Beethoven used for his 9th Symphony, was written by Friedrich Schiller in Leipzig in the summer of 1785.] 

2024 Leipzig Bachfest "Bach - CHORal TOTAL" (7 to 16 June 2024) 

The 2024 Leipzig Bachfest is one of the most important international music festivals. The 25th anniversary of the festival will take place in 2024 under the motto "BACH - CHORal TOTAL". Bach ensembles from all over the world will perform Bach's great cycle of choral cantatas in concerts at Bach's original venues. 

International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition 2024 (16 to 27 July 2024) 

The 14th International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition is one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world and is organised by the Bach Archive Leipzig and the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. 

Highfield Festival at Lake Störmthal (16 to 18 August 2024) 

The indie rock festival at Lake Störmthal is back for another year. Around 35,000 festival fans will be able to rock out to bands ranging from pop to punk, rock to rap. Bands and artists confirmed for the Highfield Festival 2024 include Cro, Macklemore, Marsimoto, Peter Fox, Provinz and Rise Against. 

Con Spirito – The Leipzig Chamber Music Festival (14 to 22 September 2024) 

International stars of the chamber music scene create a week-long festival atmosphere in the music city of Leipzig with Con Spirito. Visitors can listen to music in authentic venues and take a journey to the European Cultural Heritage sites, salons and places where Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johann Sebastian Bach, Edvard Grieg, Richard Wagner and Clara and Robert Schumann worked. 

Leipzig Jazz Days (19 to 26 October 2024)  

Leipzig Jazz Days is one of the oldest and most renowned jazz festivals in Germany. Each year, Jazzclub Leipzig presents well over 100 musicians - big names and jazz pioneers as well as innovative newcomers. Performances take place in venues such as the opera house, churches and numerous trendy clubs. 

Leipzig dances! International Ballet Festival at Oper Leipzig (21 to 29 June 2024) 

Under the motto and title "Leipzig dances!", the Leipzig Ballet invites guests to experience the art form of ballet and dance in all its facets in the summer of 2024. Leipzig is a city of dance, with ballet origins dating back to the 17th century. Names such as Mary Wigman and Uwe Scholz have established the international reputation of the Leipzig Ballet, whose choreographies form the backbone of the festival programme. The renowned Gewandhausorchester will provide the unmistakable Leipzig sound for five of the 13 ballet performances at the opera house. With "Leipzig dances!" festival curator Rémy Fichet presents a selection of internationally successful guests, combined with an interactive supporting programme and discussion panels on the future of ballet.

ART 

Tübke and Italy – Exhibition Museum of Fine Arts (6 March to 16 June 2024) 

The exhibition of the Museum of Fine Arts (MdbK) honours the renowned painter Werner Tübke, that marks the 20th anniversary of his death in Leipzig in 2004. Tübke is one of the founders of the “New Leipzig School” and his intense involvement with Italy had a decisive turning point in his career and gave him his international breakthrough. The museum preserves almost the entire estate of the artist, and is committed to the scholarly study of Tübke’s oeuvre.

The Cathedral of Monet – Exhibition Panometer Leipzig (from 16 March 2024)  

The Panometer Leipzig is a one-of-a-kind exhibition presenting Yadegar Asisi’s unique panoramic fusion of photography, art and computer on a giant 360° canvas. This year, for the first time, he presents a panoramic project that was painted entirely in oil on a 5.7 x 1.8 metre canvas, then digitised and enlarged. The artist focuses on the achievements of Impressionist painting as a starting point for the development of free art in the modern era. 

GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts 150th anniversary (24 to 26 May 2024) 

Founded in 1873 as an arts and crafts museum, the GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts opened its doors to the public in 1874. One of Europe's leading museums of design and applied art, its permanent collections include ancient, historicist, Art Nouveau, contemporary and Asian art and are open to the public free of charge. A weekend of festivities will culminate in a series of events, new high-profile artworks and interventions in the permanent exhibition.  

Festival of Lights – 35th Anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution (9 October 2024) 

The decisive Monday demonstration, that took place in Leipzig on 9 October 1989, is regarded as the breakthrough for the Peaceful Revolution in East Germany. Every year on 9 October, Leipzig commemorates this “Miracle of Leipzig” with a prayer for peace, a speech on democracy, the Leipzig Festival of Lights and other events. For the 35th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution in 2024, the Festival of Lights will feature around 15 outdoor art projects to be presented along Leipzig’s inner city ring road, which was the authentic demonstration route of 1989.

FOOD & DRINK 

Auerbachs Keller Triennium (all year round) 

When Dr Heinrich Stromer von Auerbach first served wine to students in the cellar of his house in 1525, it marked the birth of one of Germany’s most traditional taverns. Auerbachs Keller is celebrating its founding with a three-year anniversary, with events taking place throughout the year. The culmination of the three-year celebration will be Easter 2025, the actual 500th anniversary of Auerbachs Keller. 

Leipzig Wine Festival (15 to 26 May 2024) 

This year's Leipzig Wine Festival will once again invite visitors to taste and linger at the market. Wine growers from the various German wine regions as well as from Austria, Hungary and Italy will be offering their speciality wines. There will be a stage programme with music and entertainment as well as refreshments. 

OUTDOORS & SPORT 

7 Lakes Hike in the Leipzig Region (3 to 5 May 2024)  

There are around 70 walks on the programme - a diverse range of opportunities to discover Markkleeberg and the Leipzig New Lake Land on foot. With a focus on long distance walks, children and family walks, guided walks and active health walks, the programme offers a special walking experience.

UEFA EURO 2024 at Official Host City Leipzig (18, 21, 24 June and 2 July 2024) 

Germany will host Euro 2024 and Leipzig is one of ten host cities. Portugal will play the Czech Republic on 18 June, the Netherlands and France will meet on 21 June, Croatia will play Italy on 24 June and the round of 16 match between the winners of Group D and the runners-up of Group F will take place at the Leipzig football stadium on 2 July 2024. 

GENERAL 

Leipzig Book Fair and Manga-Comic Convention (21 to 24 March 2024)  

The Leipzig Book Fair and Europe’s largest reading festival "Leipzig is Reading" are the spring events for the book and media industry. During this time, the Leipzig Antiquarian Book Fair takes place and fans of comics, manga & co. can visit the Manga Comic Convention at the Leipziger Messe (Leipzig Fair). At the last event, more than 2,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries presented their spring novelties, attracting 274,000 visitors to the fairgrounds and the city. Italy will be the Guest of Honour in 2024. 

Leipzig Christmas Market (26 November to 23 December2024) 

Dating back to 1458, Leipzig Christmas Market is divided into five market areas with around 300 stalls. The range of arts and crafts and regional delicacies on offer is framed by brass band performances on the balcony of the Old Town Hall and a festive program of activities. Families with children will enjoy the arrival of Father Christmas at the beautiful Leipzig Main Station, numerous rides, a historic merry-go-round and the magical fairytale forest in front of the Oper Leipzig. 

Further Information  

• https://www.leipzig.travel/museums  
• Download “Explore Leipzig – City Tours” at Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.droidsolutions.ltm.aggregator&pli=1  
• Download “Explore Leipzig – City Tours” at App Store: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/explore-leipzig-city-tours/id6452014206 
• Report on the quality of life in European cities, 2023 by the European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/reports/qol2023/2023_quality_life_european_cities_en.pdf 

Website: https://www.leipzig.travel/en 

Download Text and Photos: https://www.leipzig.travel/press 

Ends

Editors notes

Leipzig is not just a lively city with plenty of variety and full of culture, creativity, history and the spirit of the age. Leipzig is also embedded in a vast and incredible region with refreshing lakes and waterways, fairytale castles and palaces and miles of idyllic cycling and hiking paths.