Hello Leipzig: This is how Thursday, 3 September 2026 begins

Leipzig is bringing an Olympic discipline to the streets and getting out the needle and thread in the courtyards on Brühl. Not far to the west, IC Falkenberg, Sarah Lesch, Peter Maffay and many others are raising their voices in support of a democratic society. On Schleußiger Weg, all eyes are on tiny figures – and Naunhof is rolling out barrier tape – for a daily companion…

I’ll wear that again

The arm’s still attached, but the sleeve’s already come off? Anyone who doesn’t want to keep taking damaged items of clothing to Mum’s in future, but would rather make them wearable again themselves, can learn practical repair techniques today at the ‘Wiederschön’ concept shop in the Höfe am Brühl. Leipzig City Cleaning Services is running a clothing repair workshop there from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm.

The venue is on the first floor next to Müller. According to the City Cleaning Service, the number of participants is “limited due to space constraints”, so please register at bildung@srleipzig.de. “Last-minute participants are also very welcome!”, an official statement expressly states. Participants should bring their own materials; a small amount will be available on site to try out.

The workshop focuses on repairing or upcycling old or damaged clothing. However, behind the practical exercises lies the aim of reducing waste and conserving raw materials through extended use. In this context, the City Cleaning Department highlights the high consumption of resources involved in textile production. The Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) estimates that the amount of fresh water required to manufacture a single T-shirt is “around 2,700 litres”, comparing this to the volume of 15 bath tubs.

The “Wiederschön” project, which opened in 2024, covers around 550 square metres and showcases ideas and solutions for the circular economy. According to a report published by the City Cleaning Department last year, around 2.3 tonnes of clothing have been processed and upcycled there since it opened.

Leipzig’s neighbours vote for democracy

A trip to Leipzig’s charming neighbouring city, Halle, is well worth it not only for the ears but also for the heart. There, artists are making a public stand for democracy and social cohesion in the market square. Under the title “HALLE STEHT AUF. For Democracy. For Cohesion. For Saxony-Anhalt”, music and discussion sessions are planned from 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm.

Announced performers include, amongst others, IC Falkenberg, Peter Maffay, Fury in the Slaughterhouse, Fools Garden singer Peter Freudenthaler, Sarah Lesch, TOCHTER and Saltatio Mortis. The initiative is organised by WIR, a non-partisan alliance of individuals, businesses, initiatives and institutions in Halle.

The event focuses on democracy, voter turnout, social engagement, responsibility and the future of Saxony-Anhalt. It is taking place in the run-up to next Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt and, according to the alliance, is intended to send a message in support of “democracy, freedom of expression, social cohesion and the values of the Basic Law”.

Another aim is to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. The initiative emphasises that this is not a campaign event for individual parties or political programmes.

Speaking to the LZ about his participation, the artist IC Falkenberg said: “Today, I am quite deliberately performing not against something, but for something. For artistic freedom and democracy. Because without artistic freedom, a society is not democratic.” Being against something, the artist said, is easier than making the effort to stand up for something.

Alongside the artistic performances, people from the worlds of culture, academia, business, education, healthcare and civil society will have their say. There will also be panel discussions and activities on the market square, where visitors can get involved, strike up conversations and exchange ideas.

Halle can be reached from Leipzig via S-Bahn lines S5 and S5X. It’s just a brisk 15-minute walk from the main station to the market square. Entry to the “HALLE STEHT AUF” event day is free.

On your boards, get set, gooooo…

From today, Leipzig will host the official 2026 German Skateboarding Championships. The programme, which runs until Sunday, kicks off at 4.00 pm with the ‘Snake Attack’ on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. This event forms part of the championship’s supporting programme, though the actual competitions will not take place until the weekend. Admission to the event is free for spectators.

The German Skateboarding Championships will run from 3 to 6 September 2026 in Leipzig. Following the opening event at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz, the supporting programme continues on Friday 4 September at 4.00 pm with another event at the Reudnitz Skate Park. At the same time, preparations for the championship competitions will begin at the HEIZHAUS: registration and practice sessions are scheduled there on Friday from 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm.

On Saturday, the programme starts at 9.30 am with registration and practice. The Men’s Street Pre-Qualifier begins at 10.30 am, followed by the Street and Park qualifiers, which will run into the evening. The final day on Sunday, 6 September, begins at 10.00 am with practice. The opening ceremony for the finals is scheduled for 11.00 am, with the first finals starting at 11.40 am. The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for 5.30 pm.

The Skateboard Sports Commission of the German Roller Sports and Inline Skating Federation (DRIV) is behind the championship competitions, acting as the organiser of the official sporting events. A total of 10,000 euros in prize money is up for grabs in Leipzig.

The history of skateboarding began in California, where surfers attached roller skates to wooden boards to replicate the feeling of riding waves on tarmac. In the early 1960s, this developed into a sport in its own right after skateboards began to be mass-produced and specifically marketed as sports equipment.

A decisive technical breakthrough came in the early 1970s courtesy of Frank Nasworthy, who introduced polyurethane wheels for skateboards, thereby enabling a much smoother and more controlled ride than with the steel, plastic or clay wheels that had been common until then. In the decades that followed, skateboarding increasingly broke away from its roots in surfing and, with street, park and ramp skating, developed into an international sporting and youth culture.

The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympic programme marked the culmination of this development to date: At the Tokyo 2020 Games, skateboarding was contested as an Olympic sport for the first time, thereby finally establishing its place on the international elite sporting stage. All information on the programme, registration, accommodation and catering is available ONLINE HERE at HEIZHAUS.

A celebration of Old Fritz’s favourite vegetable

Since 8 am today, the market square in Naunhof, south-east of Leipzig, has been closed to traffic, as have several neighbouring streets. That’s because, from tomorrow, everything there will revolve around the region’s ‘golden tuber’! The 33rd Potato Festival is taking place; including set-up and dismantling, the road closures will last until Monday evening at 8.00 pm.

The restrictions also affect Ungibauerstraße, including the car parks between Kurze Straße and Wurzener Straße, as well as Gartenstraße between the market and the junction with Schulstraße. Numerous residents’ properties and parking spaces will not be directly accessible by car during this period. The city therefore recommends using the nearest public parking facilities instead.

There is an exception for business owners: Gartenstraße will remain open to residents as a delivery zone. Essential goods deliveries during set-up and dismantling, as well as during the event, can be arranged on a case-by-case basis to ensure that businesses remain accessible. The city also asks business owners to inform their customers or patients about the restrictions.

The signposted diversion runs via Ladestraße, Wurzener Straße (K 8364), Straße des 9. November, the S43 and Leipziger Straße (K 8363).

The main festival programme in Naunhof
begins on Friday at 4.00 pm with the fairground attractions opening. At 5.00 pm, there’ll be a mini children’s disco on the stage at the market, before the opening ceremony featuring the ‘Fuchsschwänze’ and Mayor Anna-Luise Conrad takes place at 7.00 pm. From 8.00 pm, there’ll be ‘Summerbeats’ with the EastBeatBrothers. On Saturday, the fairground opens at 12.00, and on Sunday as early as 11.00. The festival concludes on Sunday at 17.00 with a concert by the Grimma Youth Wind Orchestra. According to the town council, the following applies to the festival: “Admission to all highlights is free”.

However, there is a charge for the historical guided tour with the Schlendrian, which takes place on Sunday at 11.00 am and 12.00 pm. The ticket price is €10.00. Advance booking is requested via the City and Tourist Information Office on 034293/475647.

In addition to the road closures caused by the event, road users must take into account the ongoing renovation work on the main road through the town. On 31 August, the town announced that, contrary to the original plans, the current phase of construction cannot be completed in time for the Potato Festival. The junction of Bahnhofstraße, Markt and Gartenstraße will therefore be gravelled and compacted, whilst the traffic cones will be moved back to the entrance of Bahnhofstraße. Pedestrians are asked to take particular care due to possible uneven surfaces.

The full programme for the Potato Festival is available ONLINE HERE to print out
and pop in your pocket.

The potato, around which everything in Naunhof revolves, originally comes from the Andes, where it was cultivated thousands of years ago, and was brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century. In Germany, the tuber only became established as an important staple food in the 18th century, with the Prussian King Frederick II in particular promoting its cultivation.

Clever kids make their own wooden magnifying glasses

With a wide range of activities centred on nature, the environment and sustainability, the Leipzig School Biology Centre is inviting the public to the 30th Nature Discovery Day at the Botanical Teaching Garden (Schleußiger Weg 1) today. The event, themed ‘Experience nature, understand the environment, shape the future’, runs from 09:00 to 16:00 and is aimed at children and young people from nurseries, after-school clubs and schools, as well as families.

Participation and entry are free of charge, although a small materials fee may apply for some activities. A contribution towards costs will also be charged for the catering provided with the support of the Susanna Eger School. Groups were required to register by 31 August 2026 to allow for preparations. The Eger School is Leipzig’s training ground for the hotel and catering industry and boasts a fascinating collection on the history of Leipzig’s gastronomy.

Anyone interested who has not registered is still warmly invited to attend. However, places may no longer be available for all activities. The programme includes a stand run by the Phyllodrom – Regenwaldmuseum Leipzig e. V., which literally puts the ecological importance of small and often overlooked animals under the microscope. Participants can design their own wooden magnifying glasses there and then use them to observe tiny creatures.

This activity highlights the importance even of inconspicuous creatures for nature. The Phyllodrom expressly points out that the event is not taking place at its own rainforest museum, but at the School Biology Centre at Schleußiger Weg 1!  In addition, the City of Leipzig has announced an animal trail organised by the Natural History Museum, a quiz run by the Environmental Information Centre on the topic of heat in the city, and a waste sorting bingo game organised by the City Cleaning Department. The programme is complemented by upcycling, painting and craft activities, an energy bike and a children’s gardening workshop.

In this way, the anniversary Nature Discovery Day combines hands-on observation and participation activities with environmental education and issues of sustainability. The Botanical Teaching Garden can be reached by public transport via the nearby ‘Rennbahn’ stop, which is served by LVB bus routes 60 and 74.