Top Things To Do In Winter in Leipzig

With festive cheer, exciting events, and a host of other activities and attractions, Leipzig in winter becomes something of a wonderland. Whether you’re planning to be in the city for a few days’ break with family or friends, or for an extended business trip, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. Plan the ultimate winter stay in Leipzig with our guide.

Top Winter Events In Leipzig

The famous Leipzig Christmas Market is one of the best reasons for visiting the city in December. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t all sorts of other events to tempt you after the market closes a couple of days before Christmas. Here are some of the top upcoming events to whet your appetite.

New Year’s Eve in Leipzig: You’ll find all sorts of New Year’s Eve (‘Silvester’ in Germany) events, parties, and programs at venues around the city. Two highlights include the Gewandhaus Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve concerts (there are several planned for 31 December) and dinner at the Panorama, Central Europe’s highest restaurant, which offers a spectacular view of the fireworks on one of the most exciting nights in Leipzig in winter.

The Visit at the Schauspiel Leipzig: See Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s play the Visit at the Schauspiel Leipzig and find out what happens when an eccentric multi-billionaire offers to save a city from bankruptcy, provided the residents can bring her the body of her former lover, Alfred III. 13 and 22 January.

Partner Pferd at the Leipzig Exhibition Centre: The 26th edition of this celebration of all things equestrian will feature world-class sport and World Cup qualifications in the disciplines of show jumping, carriage driving and vaulting. You’ll also find shows and a diverse exhibition area. Partner Pferd takes place at the Leipzig Exhibition Centre from 19 to 22 January.

Glanzzeit Variety Show at Krystallpalast: Journey through the heydays of the 1920s at the Glazzeit Variety Show at Krystallpalast. See original film recordings of Leipzig’s well-known locations from 1925, let a live band get your toes tapping, and be spellbound by aerial acrobatics, dancers, contortionists, glass balancers, foot juggling, spinning top art, sling board jumpers, and more. Until 25 February.

Gans Ganz Anders at the Spiegelpalast: An annual festive season highlight, the Gans Ganz Anders Extravagant Dinner Show at the historic Spiegelpalast (Mirror Palace) boasts top acts of international artistry, drama, live music, show dance and an exclusive four-course menu. The show promises a great evening out for couples and families with older children. Until 7 January.

For more recommendations on things to do with kids in Leipzig, check out our blog post here. 

The Best Things To Do In Leipzig In Winter

In addition to the events mentioned above, Leipzig offers a host of other attractions and things to do in winter. Here are a few of our favourites.

Explore Augustusplatz: One of Europe’s largest squares, Leipzig’s Augustusplatz is home to numerous landmarks and places of interest. Explore the square and see one of the city’s tallest buildings, the Kroch-Hochhaus (be sure to visit the observation platform), the Opera House and Gewandhaus Concert Hall, the Neues Theatre, the Museum of Fine Arts, the new Augusteum, and the Mendebrunnen fountain.

Take in a concert at Thomaskirche: The famous choir as well as various musicians perform concerts at the historic Thomaskirche on Fridays, Saturdays, and some Sundays. Enjoy exquisite music in a gorgeous setting.

Eat Allerlei at Auerbachs Keller: Indulge in the city’s signature dish at a restaurant and wine bar that was established in the 1400s. Mentioned in Goethe’s Faust, Auerbachs Keller is one of the few restaurants that use traditional methods to prepare Allerlei, a dish of asparagus, carrots, peas, and morel mushrooms usually served with crayfish and bread dumplings.

Warm up at the Coffee Museum: There’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee to stave off the chills on a cold winter’s day. Why stop at drinking a cup of the beverage when you can spend a few hours exploring its fascinating history at the Coffee Museum? You’ll find the museum at Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum, one of Germany’s oldest coffee houses. Treat yourself to a coffee and a pastry at the coffee house after your explorations.

Visit the Bach Museum: Located opposite Thomaskirche, the Bach Museum is a celebration of the life and works of esteemed composer Johann Sebastian Bach. See handwritten documents, instruments owned and played by Bach, his family tree, and an assortment of other exhibitions.

Make Leipzig Your Winter Wonderland

Known for art, culture, and playing an important role in modern German history, Leipzig is a unique city. See this special place at its most enchanting by booking a stay at Capri By Fraser Leipzig in winter. Our serviced apartment hotel is a few steps away from the Central Station in the Old Town, placing you in the ideal location whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure. Contact us and start planning your stay in Leipzig.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Leipzig in winter is cold, so make sure you pack warm clothes and raingear. The average temperature in January is a mere 1C/33.7F, while February’s average temperature is 1.8C/35.2F. That said, some days can be as warm as 10C/50F, and other days can be marked by frost and snow or sleet.

Does Leipzig have snow?

Yes, it usually snows in Leipzig in December and January, with December being the month of the heaviest snowfalls.

Is Leipzig good for foreigners?

Yes, Leipzig is a great city for foreigners to visit. A wonderful alternative to Berlin, Leipzig boasts events and attractions, a lively art and culture scene, fantastic restaurants, a fascinating history, relaxing open spaces, and low crime levels.

Is Leipzig a beautiful city?

Despite the fact that many of Leipzig’s historic buildings were destroyed during the Second World War, the city is beautiful. Many historic buildings were rebuilt or restored, so you’ll find an incredible mix of Renaissance- and Baroque-style architecture as well as modern architecture. There’s also an abundance of green spaces, such as Clara-Zetkin-Park, the Botanical Garden, and the Zoo