Chemnitz – European Capital of Culture 2025

C the Unseen in Chemnitz and discover a hidden treasure

in Saxony

Who knew: Saxony’s third largest city Chemnitz, known as the "Saxon Manchester", was the main driver of the Industrial Revolution in Germany and, for a time, became the country’s richest city. Today, Chemnitz is all set to show the world why it has won the title European Capital of Culture 2025, jointly with 38 municipalities of the “Chemnitz.Zwickau.Region” and the nearby Ore Mountains. Find out what makes Chemnitz and the cultural region tick and be surprised by inspiring events and attractions. Explore our selection of highlights including art exhibtions, festivals, concerts and sport events.

The "Treasures and Tragedies" exhibition at the State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz takes a deep dive into the Ore Mountains' mining history, exploring mining's cultural, economic, and technological impact and highlighting future raw material challenges. Until 29 June 2025.
Saxony-born Frei Otto, a pioneering architect in lightweight construction, profoundly influenced 20th-century architecture and received both the UK’s RIBA Royal Gold Medal and the international Pritzker Architecture Prize. The multi-part “Beyond Geometry” program (1 March to 30 June 2025), featuring events, workshops and exhibitions, celebrates Otto's connection to Chemnitz.
The “Sun Seekers!” exhibition (10 April to 10 Aug 2025) in Zwickau explores the art collection amassed by SDAG Wismut, a uranium mining company during the time of the Cold War. Featuring over 4,000 works by 450 artists, it offers insights into East Germany's art scene and the transformations following reunification.
Chemnitz’ Museum Gunzenhauser showcases “European Realities” (27 April to 10 Aug 2025) in an exhibition exploring realist movements that came to the fore in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. It features works from Italy, France, Germany, and beyond highlighting economic, cultural, and social shifts across Europe.
#3000GARAGES, one of the European Capital of Culture 2025 flagship projects, takes centre stage in an exhibition (9 May to 31 Dec 2025) of photographic portraits, quirky designs, installations, imaginative vehicles and multimedia elements to offer a comprehensive view of Chemnitz’ vibrant garage community.
“Edvard Munch. Fear” (10 Aug to 2 Nov 2025) at Chemnitz Art Collection explores the Norwegian painter’s central theme of fear, reflecting the intensity of his work. It features a "Pavilion of Fear" that invites visitors to discuss this existential and universal topic.
IBUG, one of Europe's leading urban art festivals, transforms abandoned industrial sites into vibrant artworks, using painting, graffiti, installations, and multimedia. Dates tbc.

Upcoming festivals in Chemnitz

The city will celebrate 2025 with numerous festivals and events. Take a look at our highlights!

30.05.2025

07.06.2025

13.06.2025

Friedrich Kunath, Include me out, 2020; Courtesy: Friedrich Kunath and König Galerie Berlin, Seoul, Wien; Foto: Ernesto Uhlmann

Event highlights for sport buffs

Sports have the power to bring people together. Join us in Chemnitz for exciting European Capital of Culture 2025 events celebrating unity, diversity, and athletic performance!

On 18 May 2025, the European Capital of Culture Marathon "Culture in Stride" will transform the run’s route into the world’s longest stage, featuring live performances by orchestras, choirs, and DJs along the way. Choose from various race distances and register here.
The Fichtelberg Cycle Marathon (15 June 2025) features a scenic 90 km ride through the Ore Mountains passing meadows and streams to reach Fichtelberg, Saxony's highest peak. Register here for this non-competitive race.
Take the kids to BDTSK8 Festival (22 to 24 Aug 2025) for skateboarding, music, and urban art unite with competitions for all ages, plus live graffiti and an after-party. In a nutshell: European skateboarding at its best!
Peace Ride reloaded(07.09.2025): Around 90 cyclists will participate in the "Peace Ride" from Chemnitz to Prague, celebrating unity and the European Capital of Culture 2025.
With SPORTS UNITED (6 to 13 Sep 2025), the city’s stadium will be transformed into a huge sports and exercise arena for everyone to join in. The public is invited to try a diverse range of sports and activities, from speed skating on mats to wheelchair basketball. You can also explore Chemnitz and its region on special hiking, inline skating or balance bike tours!

118 Jahre Automobilbau lassen sich im August-Horch-Museum Zwickau an einer der ursprünglichen Produktionsstätten in Westsachsen hautnah erleben.

Did you know that the cradle of German car manufacturing lies 25 miles west of Chemnitz in Zwickau, where a certain August Horch founded a company that eventually became Audi? The manufacturing site now houses the brilliant August Horch Museum, charting 120 years of car production in Zwickau, with lots of great cars on show.

More infos here!

In 1810, Robert Schumann, one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era, was born in Zwickau and his birthplace is today a museum that holds the world’s largest collection of pictures and documents by the famous musical couple Robert and Clara Schumann. A must for music lovers!

More infos here!

Zwei Kinder laufen mit Helm und Taschenlampen durch den Markus-Röhling-Stolln in Annaberg-Buchholz. — Mine in Annaberg-Buchholz

The mining town of Annaberg-Buchholz in the Ore Mountains, only a short drive south of Chemnitz, was founded around 1500 after silver deposits were discovered. Today, visitors can enjoy splendid town houses, the majestic St. Anne’s Church, visitor mines and museums.

More infos here!

Ein Paar spaziert über den Obermarkt in der Altstadt von Freiberg. In der Mitte des Markts steht eine Statue. — Freiberg's historic old town

850 years ago, a shiny lump of ore at the roadside paved the way for Freiberg to becoming a “Silberstadt®” (silver town). Today, the town is part of the UNESCO-listed Ore Mountains mining region and delights visitors with more than 550 listed buildings in the late medieval town centre bearing witness to the "silver age".

More infos here!

Wooden Christmas angels and pyramids, nutcracker figures and beautiful candle arches – tucked away in the Ore Mountains, Seiffen is the birthplace of artistically carved wooden toys and Christmas decorations. Discover traditional Ore Mountains folk art in the workshops of local craftspeople and tour the splendid Ore Mountain Toy Museum.

More infos here!

Chemnitz – European Capital of Culture 2025

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Saxony is looking forward to welcoming you!