Events in Görlitz
Görlitz is worth a visit at any time of year. The fantastic backdrop of the city and the Berzdorfer See lake become the stage for many events and make your stay a very special experience. Whether it's an exhibition, cultural events and performances - immerse yourself in the carefree atmosphere.
Days of Jewish Culture
1 November - 30 November 2024
November is marked by pausing and commemoration, privately and socially. A central date is 9 November: the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the proclamation of the first democracy in Germany in 1919 - but also the so-called Night of Pogroms in 1938. In Görlitz, the New Synagogue was the only one in Saxony to survive the destructive night of fire.
As the Görlitz Synagogue Cultural Forum, the magnificently restored building is a special place of remembrance. Here, the richness of Jewish life and culture can be experienced in a sensual way.
The "Days of Jewish Culture" draw attention to the works of Jewish artists in music, art and literature.
© Pawel Sosnowski
Ice skating in Görlitz
22 November 2024 - 5 January 2025
In the romantic setting of the Obermarkt in front of the Dreifaltigkeitskirche, 430 square metres of beautiful ice surface invite both small and large skaters to skate. Skates can be rented on site.
© Görlitzer Kulturservice GmbH
Silesian Christmas Market at Görlitz
29 November - 15 December 2024
An atmospheric Christmas ambience in the middle of the beautiful old town, children's shining eyes, cheerful get-togethers with family, friends and colleagues, festively decorated and illuminated houses, a variety of musical contributions on the stage and the colourful stalls with unique, partly handmade merchandise and traditional specialities - all this belongs together and characterises the Advent season at the Silesian Christmas Market.
© Nikolai Schmidt
Events 2025
International Messiaen Days Görlitz-Zgorzelec
15 January 2025
25 April - 27 April 2025
The French composer Olivier Messiaen proved that music does not divide but unites when he composed his masterpiece "Quartet on the End of Time" during his imprisonment in the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag VIII A in Görlitz (today Zgorzelec) and performed it for the first time in the camp on 15 January 1941. Around 15 January, in memory of all those who suffered and hoped in this camp, the International Messiaen Days take place - a festival with top-class artists that brings the existential power of music to life in a variety of ways.
© Jakub Purej
Stations of the Cross procession
Good Friday, 18 April 2025
On Good Friday, the traditional Way of the Cross will take place in Görlitz. The Way begins at 1.30 p.m. in the crypt of St. Peter's Church and leads along the Görlitz Via Dolorosa with its seven stations to the Holy Sepulchre, the best-preserved faithful replica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Here, following the Stations of the Cross, there is a prayer service at 3 p.m. on the hour of Jesus' death.
© C. Freudrich
International Monument Day
April 2025
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the International Monuments Day in 1982. On this occasion, the City of Görlitz, as the Lower Monument Protection Authority, participates every year by offering activities.
© Europastadt GmbH
22th Neisse Film Festival
Date to be announced.
Every year in May, the Neisse Film Festival shows current feature films, documentaries and short films from the three neighbouring countries as well as from Eastern Europe in the three-country region between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. What is special and unique about the Neisse Film Festival is its cross-genre and trinational character with film screenings at around twenty venues in the three countries along the Neisse.
In addition to three competitions and various film series, the transnational programme also offers events such as concerts, readings, exhibitions and parties.
© Rafael-Sampedro
36th Silesian Music Festival
Date to be announced.
The 36th Silesian Music Festival offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of classical music in a stunning setting. Possibly the oldest festival in Europe, it is a tribute to music and the region. This year we celebrate the dawn of a new era.
The festival programme includes a variety of concerts taking place in historic churches, castles and sights in Görlitz and Lower Silesia. Visitors can look forward to performances of masterpieces by renowned composers, but also to discoveries of lesser-known works. There will also be no shortage of concerts by young talents showcasing their musicality and creativity.
Görlitz Organ Night
Whitsunday, 8 June 2025
In 2025, the annual Görlitz Organ Night will again take place on Pentecost Sunday. The organs in the churches of the Protestant inner city parish and the organ in the Cathedral of St. James can be experienced. The Sun Organ in St. Peter's Church will open the organ night with a concert and close it in the evening.
© Evangelische Innenstadtgemeinde
29th Jazztage Görlitz
Date to be announced.
... Jazz in Görlitz with concerts in Löbau, Berthelsdorf, Bad Muskau, Horka and of course characterful sound spaces in Görlitz itself. Kulturzuschlag e.V. presents different styles of jazz, international greats and up-and-coming talents of the scene, with skill and joy of playing guaranteeing rousing evenings, whether in the former cattle shed, a former Waggonbau hall, piano manufactory, fortified church, Renaissance house or park.
© Friedemann Dressler
20th European Marathon
Date to be announced.
In June, many running professionals, recreational athletes, families, training groups from Germany, Europe and other "corners" of the world are expected again. In addition to the well-known running courses such as the marathon, the half marathon and the 10 km course, the European Marathon Görlitz-Zgorzelec also offers recreational runners a 5 km course. There is also a 2 km run especially for schoolchildren. Even the little ones are catered for with the 400-metre effervescent dash.
Skaters, hand cyclists, scooters and unicyclists can also choose from a range of routes.
© Philipp Herfort Photography
29th VIATHEA
26 June - 28 June 2025
ViaThea, the festival of street arts, is one of the fixed highlights in the cultural calendar of Görlitz. As an international arts festival, ViaThea is a crowd puller for all generations. Theatre groups from all over the world present the diversity of art in public space. The spectrum ranges from legendary companies of the street theatre scene to fresh new discoveries. ViaThea, with its genre diversity ranging from renowned to insider tip, creates moments to amaze and amuse, astounding, breathtaking, poetic or experimental.
Free of charge and outdoors!
27th Silesian Pottery Market
19 July - 20 July 2025
The Silesian Tippelmarkt is a crafts market in the best sense of the word. Here, the potters' names stand for the quality and uniqueness of their products. Each piece is the result of loving craftsmanship. The Silesian Tippelmarkt surprises with an impressive variety. Whether decorative items or utilitarian objects, all goods can be found in a wide variety of styles.
Enjoy days full of hospitality, Silesian customs, music, dance and culinary delights in the heart of the old town of Görlitz.
O-SEE Challenge - International Cross Triathlon
Date to be announced.
25 years of ultimate challenge at Lake Olbersdorf in front of the picturesque backdrop of the Zittau Mountains Nature Park. Experience with us the fascinating history of our O-SEE Challenge from a 5-man party to an internationally renowned highlight in the cross-triathlon scene. And in the wake of the main event, the youngsters will show their skills at the O-SEE X'Kids Challenge on Sunday.
A special competition atmosphere for elite athletes, competitive and recreational athletes alike on exciting courses in, around and at the O-SEE and Zittau Mountains. It's worth taking part, but it's also worth watching.
Lusatia Festival 2025
from 25 August 2025
Every year from the end of August, the Lusatia Festival attracts thousands of visitors and artists from all over the world to the region. For three weeks, churches, theatres, cultural centres, castle ruins and industrial monuments become the stage for extraordinary artistic experiences.
Many regional cooperation partners in Saxony and Brandenburg - museums and municipalities, venues, collections, parks and universities - are involved in shaping this major project and are looking forward to the 2025 festival season together.
© Paul Glaser
Old Town Festival Görlitz and Jakuby Festival Zgorzelec
29 August - 31 August 2025
The European City of Görlitz-Zgorzelec celebrates one of the most beautiful and largest folk festivals in the region on the last weekend in August, on both banks of the Neisse.
In the unique ambience of the historic old town and at the beautiful Bulwar Grecki on the banks of the Neisse, differently designed programme areas will be created. Several stages in the city centre offer a varied programme that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
European Heritage Day
14 September 2025
On this day, people in Görlitz go on a discovery tour of some of the almost 4,000 monuments that otherwise tend to remain hidden.
© Rainer Michel
Historic City Festival Görlitz, ©Felix Leda