Events in Saxony are as diverse as the region’s sights and attractions – and a great way to experience many of the things that make this destination so unique. Choose from stand-out classical music moments, one-of-a-kind traditional events in the Ore Mountains and, of course, some of the best Christmas markets around. Find your favourite in every season, for families, friends, or couples, in nature or the city!
Events
Discover a range of inspiring events in Saxony
© David Pinzer
Dresden State Art Collections - Exhibition highlights
Paula Modersohn-Becker and Edvard Munch stand out as pioneering figures in 20th-century painting. Through their expressive and emotionally charged works, they explored profound questions about human existence—from birth to death—offering bold, innovative artistic responses to the concerns of their time. The exhibition “Life’s Big Questions” is on view at the Albertinum from February 8 to May 31, 2026.
Following that, the Old Masters Picture Gallery stages the first comprehensive retrospective outside Italy of Antonio da Correggio, whose luminous altarpieces influenced generations of Baroque artists. Despite a legacy equal to that of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, Correggio remains less widely known, yet stands out for his exceptional ability to convey profound emotion and render the divine with strikingly human realism.“Correggio. Movingly Human” will be on from 22 August 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Baroque splendour in Dresden
The Great Ballroom and “Propositionssaal” council chamber of the Royal Palace now shine again, forming the backdrop for the new permanent exhibition “Masks and Crowns”, dedicated to the ceremonial culture of the Saxon court. The exhibition will be on from 22 April 2026, featuring works of art that are among the most precious testimonies to European festival culture and centuries of courtly display.
The restored palace chapel, a landmark of Reformation history and once a musical centre of the Lutheran world, completes this remarkable chapter in Dresden’s architectural renaissance.
© Jürgen Lösel/© Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
© S. Rose Fotografie
Under steam: Dresden celebrating 190 years on the river
In 2026, the Saxon Paddle Steamer Company celebrates 190 years as the world’s oldest and largest paddle steamer fleet. Its flagship “Dresden” turns 100, joined by even older vessels such as the “Pillnitz” (140 years) and “Kurort Rathen” (130 years).
Two grand steamer parades – on 1 May and 3 October – and a festive weekend in July will transform the River Elbe into a stage for celebrating a unique industrial heritage.
European hiking event in the Ore Mountains
In the Ore Mountains, the EURORANDO hiking festival (20 to 27 Sep 2026) brings thousands of guests to the cross-border UNESCO World Heritage Mining Region Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří. A week of guided walks, independent explorations, and encounters celebrates nature, history, and European friendship in a landscape shaped by centuries of mining.
The hiking festival also features the unveiling of the Stoneman Miriquidi Hike for the very first time, giving hikers and trail runners the equivalent experience of the existing Stoneman Miriquidi mountain bike trail in the Ore Mountains.
© Philipp Herfort
© Kirsten Nijhof
Celebrate Albert Lortzing at “Lortzing 26” in Leipzig
In 2026, Leipzig will honour composer, singer, and actor Albert Lortzing with a special festival marking his 225th birthday and 175th death anniversary. The ten-day event, “Lortzing 26”, runs from April 24 to May 3 and is part of Leipzig’s annual citywide festival days.
Lortzing, known for his comic and revolutionary operas, had a deep connection to Leipzig, where many of his works premiered. Highlights of the festival include ten performances, two new productions of The Armorer and Regina and repertoire favourites like Tsar and Carpenter and Undine. The program also features chamber and choir concerts, a scholarly conference, family-friendly events and city walks exploring Lortzing's life and legacy in Leipzig.
2026 Highlights
In 2026, Saxony once more has very special events on the agenda. Choose one (or more) to your liking and combine your visit with a city break or an exploration of the region’s beautiful nature.
31 January, 3 April, 6 April, Dresden:
Enjoy Richard Wagner's “Parsifal” at the Dresden Semper OperaFrom 14 February 2026, Leipzig:
„Viva Frida Kahlo“ –Immersive 360° production about the life and work of the Mexican artist at the Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig
From 27 March 2026, Dresden:
Exhibtion-opening of Yadegar Asisis 360° panorama “Great Barrier Reef”
11 and 12 April 2026, Dresden:
Enjoy the Steam Train Festival
01 May 2026, Dresden:
Traditional Fleet Parade of the Saxony Steamship Company
9 and 10 May 2026: Meissen:
The 20th Meissen Art Festival features a diverse programme of art, culture and craft events, including special porcelain workshops and anniversary celebrations highlighting the city’s renowned porcelain heritage.
From 10 May to 17 May 2026, Dresden:
Be enchanted by the 54th International Dixieland Festival, Europe's longest-established old-time Jazz festival.
From 15 May to 14 June 2026, Dresden:
Enjoy the beauty of classical and contemporary music at the Dresden Music Festival.
From 21 to 25 May 2026, Leipzig:
This week-long festival is featuring concerts, lectures, a masterclass in Wagner’s music and special events that explore the life and work of the composer in his birth city.
From 22 May to 25 May 2026, Leipzig:
Wave Gotik Convention – largest Gothic festival worldwide
27 May 2026, Leipzig
UEFA Conference League FinaleFrom 29 May to 1 June 2026, Chemnitz:
A lively festival of international street art that transforms the city’s streets and squares into a vibrant open‑air stage with live music, performance, clowning, juggling, fire shows and street food
From 4 to 14 June 2026, Zwickau:
The Schumann Festival is a long‑standing annual celebration in Robert Schumann’s birth city featuring a rich programme of concerts, recitals and music events.
Fronm 5 to 7 June 2026, Leipzig:
Leipziger City FairFrom 11 June to 21 June 2026, Leipzig:
The annual internationally renowned Bach Festival - "In Dialog" features around 100 concerts and events that celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach's life life and music in historic venues across Leipzig, the city where he worked as Thomaskantor.
From 18 June to 5 July 2026, Chemnitz:
The event „Theater der Welt“ transforms Chemnitz into a global stage for contemporary performing arts, bringing around 40 productions from around the world to theatres, public spaces and unique venues across the city.
21 June 2026, Leipzig:
Opening of the Leipzig Music Arc (Leipziger Notenbogen)
Launch of a new, permanently signposted 5 km musical discovery route through Leipzig’s historic music quarters — with concerts and guided walks connecting sites linked to composers and the city’s rich musical heritage.
From 27 to 28 June 2026, Chemnitz:
The Makers United Festival is the perfect environment for tech enthusiasts and innovation fans, where cutting-edge technology meets brilliant hacks and creative solutions.
From 5 to 7 July 2026, Leipzig:
The Leipzig Coffee Festival is a three-day celebration of coffee culture in Leipzig that brings together enthusiasts, roasters and industry experts for tastings, workshops, talks, market stands and social events highlighting the region’s vibrant coffee scene.
24 July to 16 August 2026, Chemnitz
The Weinfest Chemnitz is a lively summer wine festival in Chemnitz’s city centre.
7 to 23 August 2026, Moritzburg:
A spirit of innovation, musical dynamism and special venues characterize the unique atmosphere of the renowned chamber music festival under the direction of cellist Jan Vogler.
From 22 August 2026 to 10 January 2027, Dresden:
Exhibition „Correggio“- one of the most influential painters (1489-1534)
From 25 August 2026, Upper Lusatia:
The Lausitz-Festival is a three‑week, cross‑border arts and culture festival in the Lusatia region, featuring internationally and locally inspired theatre, music, dance, literature, film, discussions and contemporary art.
From 29 to 30 August 2026, Saxon Wine Trail:
45 wineries and taverns open their doors offering their wines accompanied by musical and artistic highlights. Shuttle buses between the wineries are available
3 Saturdays in September 2026, Moritzburg:
Marvel at beautiful horses at the Stallions' parades in Moritzburg
From 4 September to 13 September 2026, Ore Mountains:
The Ore Mountains Music Festival is a biennial music festival in the Erzgebirge region that brings high‑quality classical and contemporary performances to historic and unusual venues.
18 September to 20 September 2026, Meissen and Radebeul:
Enjoy Saxon wine at the Meissen Wine Festival and the Autumn Wine Festival in nearby Radebeul.
9 October 2026, Leipzig:
The Leipzig Festival of Lights is an annual event held each October 9th that commemorates the 1989 Monday demonstrations with artistic light installations, candle vigils and a path of illuminated works across the city centre to reflect on freedom, democracy and the Peaceful Revolution.
From 16 October to 22 November 2026, Dresden:
The Jazz Days Dresden celebrate their 25th anniversary. Being one of the largest Jazz Festivals in Germany we are looking forward to an excellent program with top performances of renowned national and international artists.
From 17 to 18 October 2026, Ore Mountains:
Days of Traditional Craftmenship
130 workshops, museums and craft studios across the Ore Mountains open their doors to showcase traditional skills, offer hands-on activities and celebrate centuries-old artisanal techniques alongside regional culture and specialties.
From 17 to 24 October 2026, Leipzig:
The 50th Jazz Days Leipzig are one of Germany’s oldest and most renowned international jazz festivals.
From 23 to 25 October 2026, Leipzig:
The Grassimesse is an international applied-arts and design sales fair held each October at the GRASSI Museum.From 1 November to 08 November 2026, Leipzig:
Mendelssohn Festival - Mendelssohn masterpieces and the music of the Romantic period are the focus of this year’s Mendelssohn Festival
From 20 November 2026, Schloss Moritzburg:
Exhibition „Three wishes for Cinderella“Explore the magical world of the cult fairy-tale film with original costumes, props, recreated scenes and behind-the-scenes stories presented at the castle’s authentic filming location near Dresden.
From 25 November to 24 December 2026, Dresden:
The 592nd Dresden Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest and most famous Christmas market, where more than 200 stalls, festive lights, traditional crafts and seasonal treats create a magical Advent atmosphere in the baroque heart of the city.
From end of November 2026
Christmas Markets will open all over Saxony. Whereas the big ones are open for visitors daily, check out our Christmas section for more information about the hidden gems, which are sometimes only available on weekends or on specific days.
5 December, Dresden:
The Dresden Stollen Festival is a festive highlight of the Striezelmarkt season where bakers, musicians and costumed participants parade a giant Christstollen through the city.
Saxony Celebrates Jewish Culture in 2026 with a Year-Long Program of Events
In 2026, the German state of Saxony shines a spotlight on its rich Jewish heritage with a year-long celebration titled “Year of Jewish Culture in Saxony.” This landmark cultural initiative features a wide range of events across the region, highlighting the historical contributions, contemporary life and vibrant traditions of Jewish communities in Saxony.
The celebration aims to foster greater understanding and visibility of Jewish culture through concerts, exhibitions, theatre productions, film screenings, public lectures, and interfaith dialogues. From Dresden to Leipzig, Chemnitz to Görlitz, institutions and cultural venues collaborate to present programs that explore Jewish history, art, and thought—past and present.
A central focus is placed on Jewish life in Saxony through the centuries, from the flourishing of Jewish communities in the Middle Ages to their tragic destruction during the Nazi era, and the resilient rebuilding of Jewish life in post-war and modern times. Visitors and locals alike have the chance to engage with exhibitions on Jewish intellectuals, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs who helped shape Saxon society.
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