--- title: "Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025: Programme" url: "https://lichtfest.leipziger-freiheit.de/en/festival-of-lights-programme/festival-of-lights-2025" description: "On 9ᵗʰ of October 2025, the Leipzig Festival of Lights commemorates the Peaceful Revolution of autumn 1989 with light installations throughout Leipzig’s city centre." language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Leipzig Festival of Lights > Leipzig Festival of Lights Programme > Festival of Lights 2025" --- Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025 =============================== Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025 programme ----------------------------------------- Lichtfest Leipzig mit Kerzen zur Feier der Friedlichen Revolution im Herbst 89 in Leipzig Each year on the 9ᵗʰ of October, the Leipzig Festival of Lights commemorates the Monday Demonstrations in Leipzig in the autumn of ’89, which led to the fall of the SED regime and paved the way for German Unity. On **9ᵗʰ of October 2025**, visitors can look forward to a very special edition of the Leipzig Festival of Lights: From **7 pm to 10 pm**, **five light art projects** by artists from East and West Germany will create a light path along Neumarkt and in Schillerpark, inviting visitors to remember and reflect on the autumn of ’89. The light path guides Festival of Lights guests from St Nicolas Church, the starting point of the Peaceful Revolution, across Neumarkt to Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz, the future site of the Leipzig Monument to Freedom and Unity. In **Schillerpark**, the traditional **candles' podium '89** will be set up, which will be illuminated with tealights by visitors throughout the evening. Candles are available free of charge at all candle and information stands in the city centre. This year, the “Explore Leipzig – City Tours” app once again offers a Festival of Lights tour featuring all projects – also available as an audio version ( \| ) - - - - Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025 ------------------------------- Programme overview Nikolaikirche-Leipzig-Nikolaistraße-Turm-Innenstadt-Architektur-Geschichte-Maciej-Waraksa-leipzig-travel Prayer for peace \| St Nicolas Church “Accept one another ...” (Romans 15:7) Sermon: St Nicolas Church Pastor Bernhard Stief The prayers for peace at St Nicolas Church Leipzig and the Peaceful Revolution 1989 are inseparably linked. At that time, the participants of the prayers for peace carried the message of non-violence out into the streets, thus contributing to a peaceful end of the GDR dictatorship. In this spirit, the Monday “Services in the Everyday World” continue to encourage people to stand up and pray for a non-violent and peaceful coexistence. In the 35th year of German Unity, we look at what still divides us and, especially in the prayer for peace, seek a shared attitude towards peace. The sermon will be given by St Nicolas Church Pastor Bernhard Stief, who has accompanied the prayers for peace at St Nicolas Church since 2008. Musical inspiration will be provided by the Berlin singer-songwriter Max Prosa, whose direct songs are both moving and stirring. Speech on democracy \| St Nicolas Church The multiple award-winning author, theatre director and playwright Nino Haratischwili will deliver the Address on Democracy at St Nicolas Church on the 9ᵗʰ of October. Born in Tbilisi in 1983, Nino Haratischwili is one of the most significant voices in contemporary German-language literature. She has received, among others, the Literature Prize of the Cultural Circle of German Business, the Anna Seghers Prize and the Bertolt Brecht Prize. Her international breakthrough came with the epic “The Eighth Life (For Brilka)”. Her work is characterised by powerful language and an intensive engagement with history and identity. The address will be accompanied by musical contributions from the pianist, singer and composer Nestan Bagration-Davitashvili. Lichtfest-2024-Vertrauen-Freiheit-Verantwortung-Punctum-Bertram-Kober-01 Festival of Lights with light trail \| Neumarkt & Schillerpark From 7 to 10 pm, five light art projects along Neumarkt and Schillerpark invite you to reflect and contemplate. In the 35th anniversary year of German Unity, both East and West German artists are participating in the Leipzig Festival of Lights. 1\. “Waves/Surge” by Julian Hölscher at Neumarkt 2\. “No Flag” by Vanessa Hafenbrädl at Neumarkt 3\. “Thought Mirror” by Julia Kaske, Karam Assaf, Timo Hacker at Neumarkt 4\. “Becoming Visible” by Lukas Taido at Neumarkt 5\. “Trust – Freedom – Responsibility” by Anke Stiller in Schillerpark Lichtfest Leipzig mit Kerzenpodest zur Feier der Friedlichen Revolution im Herbst 89 in Leipzig Candle podium (candles' podium '89) \| Schillerpark In Schillerpark stands the traditional candles' podium '89, which is illuminated over the course of the evening by the Leipzig Festival of Lights guests with thousands of tealights. Candles are available free of charge at all candle and information stands in the city centre (see map on page 14). If you wish, you can make a symbolic candle sponsorship at the candle stands via PayPal or in cash. The proceeds go to the socio-cultural centre “Die VILLA”, which promotes education, encounters and social participation with over 100 weekly activities for young and old. Laying of the foundation stone for the Leipzig Monument to Freedom and Unity \| Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz From 8 pm to 10 pm, all visitors can look forward to a festive stage programme with music and discussions. FREI\_RAUM for democracy and dialogue on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. Presented by: Alexandra Gerlach. • Welcome, ceremony and unveiling of the foundation stone • On-stage discussion with Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer, Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, Leipzig’s Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung, Leipzig’s Honorary Citizen Gesine Oltmanns and the Georgian-German author Nino Haratischwili. • World premiere of the choral work “Our Courage Will Be Close to Us” in cooperation with Opera Leipzig With more than 200 children and young people from Leipzig and its partner city Lyon – a musical symbol of freedom and European solidarity. • The company of the Gerda Taro School Leipzig enriches the laying of the foundation stone with dance sequences. Light Projects Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025 ---------------------------------------------- The Leipzig Festival of Lights welcomes its visitors in 2025 with a new concept. Five light art projects by artists from East and West Germany adorn Neumarkt and Schillerpark – creating a unique Light Trail. You can find an overview of all projects here. Experience the Festival of Lights tour digitally ------------------------------------------------ App *Explore Leipzig – City Tours* The *Explore Leipzig – City Tours* app offers the opportunity to experience all projects digitally in parallel during your visit to the Leipzig Festival of Lights. The interactive Festival of Lights tour is available in German and English – also as audio versions to listen to. The app is available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. - - FAQ on the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025 ------------------------------------------ Frequently Asked Questions Expand allCollapse all - What can be experienced at the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025? - five light art projects by artists from western and eastern Germany engaging with the events of 1989: Neumarkt and Schillerpark - thousands of candles inviting to a shared remembrance of the Peaceful Revolution: Schillerpark - peace prayer and address on democracy: St Nicolas Church - ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for the Freedom and Unity Monument: Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz - When does the Leipzig Festival of Lights start? - The Leipzig Festival of Lights takes place from **7 to 10 pm** in Leipzig city centre. - At 5 pm, the peace prayer and the address on democracy take place in St Nicolas Church. - From 8 pm, the ceremonial programme for the laying of the foundation stone of the Freedom and Unity Monument takes place on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. - Where does the Leipzig Festival of Lights take place?In 2025, the Leipzig Festival of Lights will take place in the form of a light trail along Neumarkt and in Schillerpark, covering part of Leipzig’s city centre. The light trail with five light art projects connects the St Nicolas Church Yard (prayer for peace, speech on democracy) with Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz (ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for the Monument to Freedom and Unity). - Is there an entrance fee for the Leipzig Festival of Lights?No, admission to the Leipzig Festival of Lights is free. On the 9ᵗʰ of October, everyone is warmly invited to join Zeitzeuginnen, Leipzig residents and guests in celebrating the Leipzig Festival of Lights. - What happens on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz?On the 9ᵗʰ of October, visitors to the Leipzig Festival of Lights can look forward to a festive stage programme from 8 p.m., featuring guests of honour such as Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer, Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Leipzig’s Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung, Leipzig honorary citizen Gesine Oltmanns and the Georgian-German author Nino Haratischwili. In addition, guests may enjoy the world premiere of the choral work “Unser Mut wird nah bei uns sein”, created in cooperation with Oper Leipzig. - Who will give this year’s speech on democracy?The multi-award-winning author, theatre director and playwright Nino Haratischwili will give the speech on democracy on the 9ᵗʰ of October in St Nicolas Church. - Will there be a tour in the app again?For the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025, there will be both a printed programme booklet and a digital tour in the Explore Leipzig app ( and ). Here, visitors can enjoy the tour in German and English as well as in an audio version. - Where can I get programme booklets for the Leipzig Festival of Lights?You can obtain programme booklets for the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025 at the Leipzig Tourist Information at Katharinenstraße 8. You can also download the programme booklet here free of charge as a PDF file. - Where is the candles' podium '89 located?Lichtfest Leipzig 2025: Übersichtskarte Lichtweg mit allen Projekten und Kerzenständen The large candles' podium '89 (the candles' podium) is located in Schillerpark this year and is waiting to be illuminated by visitors of the Leipzig Festival of Lights with tealights. - How much does a candle cost at the Leipzig Festival of Lights? Are candles free of charge?The candles are provided free of charge or in exchange for a voluntary donation as part of the in reusable cups. By the way: This year, the Leipzig Festival of Lights relies 100 per cent on Guests are kindly asked not to take the candle cups home but to leave them at the candles' podium or at the candle stands after use. - Will there be traffic restrictions and road closures due to the Leipzig Festival of Lights?Due to the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2025, there will be no planned traffic restrictions on the 9ᵗʰ of October 2025. Public transport will also operate according to the timetable. . In the context of the arrival and departure of guests attending the ceremonial act, short-term traffic restrictions may occur in the area of St Nicolas Church Yard as well as in the area of Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. However, car parks in underground garages in Leipzig city centre may be closed. The following parking facilities will presumably not be available on the 9ᵗʰ of October 2025: - Courtyard/underground car park Messepalast - the underground car park Messehof/Timonhaus - the underground car park and delivery garage of the Neo shopping centre - the Volksbank underground car park - the car park in the courtyard of the music school The multi-storey car parks and parking facilities in the courtyard of Gewandgässchen, Magazingasse and Kupfergasse will remain available. - Do trams and buses (public transport) operate despite the Leipzig Festival of Lights?Yes, public transport continues to operate despite the Leipzig Festival of Lights. The timetable changes only slightly due to the Leipzig Festival of Lights. Bus line 89 does not run through the city centre between 4 p.m. and midnight and is diverted towards the main railway station via Goerdelerring and towards Connewitzer Kreuz via Augustusplatz and Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. - How do I get to the Leipzig Festival of Lights? - We recommend coming to the Leipzig Festival of Lights on foot, by bicycle or by public transport. - If you arrive by train, you can get off at Leipzig Central Station and continue on foot or take the bus or tram towards Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz or Roßplatz. From there, it is only a one-minute walk to Neumarkt and Schillerpark, where the light installations shine. - If you are coming by suburban railway, you should get off at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. - By bicycle and public transport, you can easily reach the inner city ring road, where the Leipzig Festival of Lights takes place. - If you are travelling by car or coach, the city recommends the Park&Ride car parks at Leipziger Messe, at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, in Lausen, in Plovdiver Straße and at Schönauer Ring, as well as the car parks at the Sportforum. - Is it possible to park in the city centre? For arrival by car or bus, the City of Leipzig recommends using the Park&Ride facilities at the Leipzig Trade Fair, at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, in Lausen, in Plovdiver Straße and at Schönauer Ring, as well as the car parks at the Sportforum, since underground garages in Leipzig’s city centre may be closed. The following parking facilities are expected to be unavailable on 9ᵗʰ of October 2025: inner courtyard/underground garage Messepalast - the underground garage Messehof/Timonhaus - the underground garage and supplier garage of the Neo shopping centre - the underground garage of the Volksbank - the car park in the inner courtyard of the music school The multi-storey car parks and parking facilities in the inner courtyard of Gewandgässchen, Magazingasse and Kupfergasse will remain available. Permanent exemption permits and residents’ parking permits lose their validity during the Leipzig Festival of Lights. - Is the Leipzig Festival of Lights accessible?All event locations of the Leipzig Festival of Lights are accessible without barriers. The descriptions of the light installations along the light path are available as audio files in the *Explore Leipzig – City Tours* app.