Festival of Light 2025: Commemoration of unity with a colorful program in Leipzig!

Festival of Light 2025: Commemoration of unity with a colorful program in Leipzig!

The annual Light Festival will take place in Leipzig on October 9, 2025. This event commemorates the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 and this year's motto is: “Approaching each other – 35 years of German unity”. The Festival of Light begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m., while a peace prayer and a speech on democracy will take place from 5 p.m. The venues are Leipzig city center, the Lichtweg along Neumarkt and Schillerpark, where thousands of candles will be lit to commemorate the events of 35 years ago. Admission is free and everyone interested is warmly invited.

The highlights of this year's Light Festival include five light art projects created by East and West German artists to illuminate the significant historical events of 1989. A candle podium with large candles with the number 89 will be erected in Schiller Park, where visitors will have the opportunity to contribute tea lights. Candles are provided free of charge or for a voluntary donation at five stands in the city center. The proceeds from the donation will benefit the socio-cultural center “Die Villa”.

Guests of honor and premiere

The guests of honor at the Festival of Light include the Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer, the Prime Minister of Saxony Michael Kretschmer, Mayor Burkhard Jung, honorary citizen Gesine Oltmanns and the author Nino Haratischwili. The latter will also give a speech on democracy in St. Nicholas Church, where a prayer for peace will also be led. Another highlight is the premiere of the choral work “Our courage will be close to us”, in collaboration with the Leipzig Opera.

The celebrations for the laying of the foundation stone of the Freedom and Unity Monument on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz begin at 8 p.m. Burkhard Jung expressed optimism about the progress in the construction of the monument, which is finally being realized after a 16-year process. The planned redesign includes turning half of the square into a park, where the monument will stand. A possible date for the inauguration of the monument could be October 9, 2029.

Accessibility and arrival

The event will also be offered in digital form, including a tour in the Explore Leipzig app, which is available in German and English. In addition, program booklets are available at the Leipzig Tourist Information Office and can also be downloaded free of charge as a PDF.

When arriving, it is recommended to come on foot, by bike or by public transport that runs as scheduled. For those arriving by car, parking garages are available in the city center. All venues are accessible and accessibility information is available in the app as audio files.

The Festival of Light is an important event that not only serves to honor the past, but also sets an example for the unity and cohesion of people. On October 9th, Leipzig city center will be a place of memories, peace and art.

For further information about the program and how to get there, click on LeipzigInfo and MDR.