Entertainment

Leipzig's attractions don't just stop at trade fairs, but include an impressive array of activities stemming from its role as a multi-cultural center within Europe. Its many museums testify to the town's eventful history, and music and theater enliven daily life. Fine cuisine is of great importance and an active nightlife seems to reign in the city. Plenty of sporting activities take place and shopping here holds many a possibility.

Daytime Activities:

Viewing the many sights of the city is rewarding: Leipzig has a whole host of museums, impressive monuments and buildings of historical importance, not to mention the historical trade fair.

The Stadtgeschichtliche Museum (Local History Museum) is housed inside the Altes Rathaus on the main market square, and offers information on all aspects of local history. Other sights include the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (the monument of the Battle of the Nations), the Museum Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum, the Schillerhaus and the Sportmuseum. The city's more recent past can be explored in the Museum in der Runden Ecke and in the Stasi Bunker.

The Museum der bildenden Künste, the main fine arts museum, offers its visitors a glimpse into different artistic periods and genres. The nearby Naturkundemuseum explores the relationship between man and nature, as well as some more general ecological issues. For music-lovers, Leipzig has the Johann Sebastian Bach Museum, the Mendelssohn Haus, and the Musical Instruments Museum. The latter is housed in the Grassimuseum, which also includes the Museum of Ethnology and the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Others include the Egyptian Museum, the Automatic Museum and a Technical Centre. Further collections tailored to more specific interests are the Museum of Printing, the National Garden Museum, the Camera and Photo Museum, the Historical Railway Station and the Saxon Chemists' Museum.

Leipzig also has a wide array of cafes, bars and pubs in which students, trade fair visitors and tourists all meet up for a drink. Those who prefer to spend their day and money on jewelery, stylish clothing or souvenirs can follow their heart's desire during a leisurely walk around the shopping districts of the town center. Here, numerous boutiques and shops make for an enjoyable afternoon. A large number of specialist shops attract many a curious passer-by in the Mädler Passage, Messehofpassage, and Petersstraße, as well as in the Messehaus Specks Hof and Barthels Hof. The Städtische Kaufhaus and other department stores offer at least as much as the newly built shopping centres. The regular markets for fresh produce, flowers, ceramics and books all have vendors calling out for the attention of potential customers as they seek to sell their quality wares.

Leipzig catches the hearts of sports fans, since all can have a good romp, or at least contentedly spectate. All around Leipzig, enthusiasts jog through parks and skaters speed along streets. Other appealing activities include swimming, cycling, rowing, fishing, volleyball and fencing.

Germany's largest stadium was built here in 1965 and has seen many tears—be it in victory or defeat. There's also the Scheibenholz race-track, where so many have tried their luck with a flutter. Other sporting events include international tournaments such as the German freestyle wrestling championship, held in the summer, and the international women's tennis Grand Prix in autumn. For those seeking something more relaxing, Leipzig has some romantic lakes where visitors can indulge themselves by soaking up the afternoon sun.

Nightlife

After a hard day's sightseeing, visitors may well be in the mood for a taste of Leipzig's nightlife. A good starting point is the Moritzbastei, a youth and student club which stages concerts and exhibitions in its underground vaults. In the summertime, plays and open-air films are organized. The nearby marketplace provides a second possibility with its jazz festival and other varied events running for the most part of the summer. After 10pm, the bars in Barfußgäßchen and Gottschedstraße start to heat up and are perfect for sampling the local brew.

The somewhat less central Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse is also home to an exciting array of restaurants and pubs which will delight gourmets. Werk II on Connewitzer Kreuz is a multicultural centre which organises jazz concerts and dance performances. All the adjoining districts have smaller clubs with rock or jazz music, while discos provide an exciting venue for dancing through the night. The most important event of the year occurs no less than twice: Europe's Honky Tonk festival, with over 100 bands, takes place in May and November. From the smallest pub to the most exclusive restaurant, the most diverse establishments take part in this festival, which is widely regarded as the biggest pub festival in the world.

For those inclining more towards classical tastes, the boys of the Thomanerchor provide untold aural pleasure, as do the soloists and choir of Leipzig's famed Gewandhausorchester, with its classical and contemporary songs. A visit to the Opera House is also highly recommended.

The Schauspielviertel is the focal point of the most important theatres in Leipzig. The Krystallpalast Variete in Magazingasse presents a repertoire combining music, theatre, dance and entertainment. Other theatres competing for attention include the Schauspielhaus, Theater hinterm Eisernen, Theater Neue Szene (including the well-known Kosmospolitan), the Revue- und Comedy-Theater, Theater der Jungen Welt, Puppentheater Sterntaler, Theater im Globus and the Lofft. Current theatre productions include drama, fairy tales, musicals and opera for children, as well as comedy. The Schaubühne in Lindenfels is noted for its attempts to fuse theatre and film.

The potential is broadened by numerous small-scale and variete performances from a wide range of talented artists. In October, the Lachmesse casts its spell over enthusiasts of cabaret and theatre, attracting ensembles from all over the world. The most famous cabarets, the Leipziger Pfeffermühle and the Academixer, are rounded off by others who have also made a name on the cultural scene: the Leipziger Funzel, Sanftwut and Gohglmohsch. In addition, the Leipziger Brettl in the Cafe am Brühl should not be forgotten, as it too enriches the extensive theatrical essence of the city.

The cinematic experience can be seen, heard and felt in the Bofimax, Capitol, Regina-Kinocenter or Schauburg cinemas. The highlight for movie-goers is the annual International Festival for Documentary and Animated Films, which has attracted thousands of viewers to Leipzig every October since its inception in 1957.

So let your curiosity lead you out into Leipzig's rich and multi-faceted entertainment scene—you'll be surprised at what you find!