Hello Leipzig: Here’s how Friday 10 July 2026 gets underway

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Violent explosions damaged two restaurants in the early hours of the morning; a teenager was injured whilst handling fireworks. The week of events leading up to this year’s Christopher Street Day gets underway at the New Town Hall. Blues-rock legend Beth Hart is performing at the Parkbühne this evening – and the city library is honouring the artist Ursula Mattheuer-Neustädt, who would have turned 100 in July.

Explosions at dawn

Loud bangs roused the people of Leipzig from their sleep during the night. The police have launched an investigation into the causing of explosions involving explosives. According to an early morning statement from the police headquarters, at around 3.15 am an as yet unidentified explosive device detonated on Georg-Schwarz-Straße, destroying the front section of a pizzeria. The restaurant sustained considerable damage.

Shortly afterwards, just after 3.40 am, another explosion occurred on Universitätsstraße, severely damaging the entrance area of a bar. Based on current information, it is still unclear what triggered the explosions in both cases. To secure evidence, the police have cordoned off a wide area around the crime scenes on Georg-Schwarz-Straße and Universitätsstraße.

As a result, local transport services are expected to be diverted until midday. Tram line 7 is running from the Lindenauer Markt stop via Lützner Str. and the Lindenau bus station to the temporary terminus at Lindenau, Plautstraße. A replacement service for line 7 is operating between Lindenauer Markt and Leutzsch, Ph.-Reis-Straße. Towards Angerbrücke from the Diakonissenhaus via W.-Zipperer-Str. to the G.-Schwarz-/Merseburger Straße stop. Towards Ph.-Reis-Straße from the Lindenauer Markt stop, following the same route as line 74 to the Am Wasserschloss stop and continuing via the Pfingstweide stop.

A third explosion occurred on Eutritzscher Straße shortly before midnight. Here, a teenager was handling a pyrotechnic device – the exact nature of which is not yet known – lost control of it and injured himself so seriously that he had to be taken to hospital.

Georg-Schwarz-Straße remains closed at present whilst forensic evidence is being collected. Photo: Private

Christopher Street Day is extra long

Under the slogan “No rest, no turning back. Queer rights, step by step!”, Leipzig’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) 2026 begins today. But in reality, it is not just a “Day” at all. Until 18 July, the trade fair city will be hosting a diverse week-long programme dedicated to equality, social openness and queer visibility.

The week of events kicks off today at 4 pm with the traditional raising of the rainbow flag in front of the New Town Hall, followed by a reception hosted by the City of Leipzig. CSD Leipzig is one of the largest queer demonstrations and street festivals in Saxony and eastern Germany. The highlight will be a rally on Saturday 18 July from 11.30 am to 1 pm on Augustusplatz. Afterwards, the CSD march will wind its way through Leipzig city centre from 1 pm to 4 pm.

The route runs from Augustusplatz via Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz and the Markt back to Augustusplatz. Clubs, initiatives, walking groups and colourfully decorated vehicles will take part in the parade. From 4 pm until 8 pm, a street festival with a stage programme will follow on Augustusplatz.

Christopher Street Day commemorates the Stonewall riots of 1969 and combines political demands with a visible commitment to diversity and self-determination. With this year’s slogan ‘No rest, no turning back. Queer rights, step by step!”, CSD Leipzig 2026 is taking a stand against discrimination and for the rights of queer people. Throughout the week, the programme will be complemented by talks, readings, films, workshops, discussions, concerts and parties. The events are aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community as well as families, friends and anyone who wishes to campaign for a diverse and discrimination-free society. A comprehensive programme overview is available HERE.

Beth Hart has the blues in her blood

Beth Hart, one of today’s most renowned blues-rock singers, is performing at Leipzig’s Parkbühne today. The American from Los Angeles is one of the most successful artists in her genre, with six number-one hits on the Billboard Blues Charts, a double-platinum award and top-10 albums across Europe.

Sold-out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville underline her international reputation. Beth Hart began playing the piano at the age of four and initially devoted herself to classical music before discovering artists such as Etta James, Otis Redding and Led Zeppelin. As a teenager, she performed on stage in Hollywood’s clubs and won the US talent show Star Search in the ‘Best Female Singer’ category in 1993. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with artists including Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck, Slash and Buddy Guy.

She received a Grammy nomination for her joint album “Seesaw” with Joe Bonamassa, whilst the album “Leave the Light On” was certified double platinum in Denmark. Beth Hart has spoken openly for years about her difficult childhood, depression, mental health issues and past problems with alcohol and drugs. These experiences are reflected in many of her songs and shape the emotional intensity of her music. She has been sober for many years and describes music as an important part of her healing process.

On the Parkbühne in Clara Zetkin Park, she will be performing tracks from her latest album “You Still Got Me”, as well as “A Tribute to Led Zeppelin”, released in 2022, which climbed to number 4 in the German album charts. The concert starts at 7 pm. Remaining tickets are available at the box office.

Tribute to Ursula Mattheuer-Neustädt

She would have turned 100 in July: today, Leipzig City Library, together with Künstlerspur, the Ursula Mattheuer-Neustädt and Wolfgang Mattheuer Foundation, and Rosas Salon, is hosting a celebratory event in honour of the illustrator, draughtswoman and author Ursula Mattheuer-Neustädt. The event begins at 7 pm in the Oberlichtsaal of the City Library.

From 6 pm onwards, visitors will have the opportunity to view the solo exhibition on the first floor of the City Library. Dagmar Winklhofer-Bülow will host the evening. Dr h.c. Ingrid Mössinger will place Ursula Mattheuer-Neustädt’s artistic work within the context of the visual arts of the GDR. A discussion with the artist Egbert Herfurth will focus on the working methods of illustrators and the creative processes behind the creation of their works.

The journalist Traudel Thalheim (“Traudel tratscht”), who, together with her partner Werner Heiduczek, maintained a friendship with the artist couple Mattheuer, will read excerpts from her book about this relationship. Elli Neuhaus will also recite texts by the artist. The programme is rounded off with excerpts from a documentary film about Ursula Mattheuer-Neustädt.