Event: Wave Gotik Treffen (WGT)
What: Gothic Festival
When: May 22 – 25
Where: Leipzig
Tickets: from 99€
Website
A little more then a month separates us from the 24th edition of Wave Gotik Treffen (or WGT for short). The world’s largest gothic festival takes place all over the city of Leipzig at more then 50 venues. Around 200 bands, projects and single artists will cover the whole range of gothic music from Electro-Pop to Goth-Metal, from EBM to Neofolk, from medieval music to Post Punk.
Eisbrecher, Nachtmahr, Fields of Nephilim, Deine Lakaien, L’ame Immortelle are just a few examples of the artists who will give the soundtrack for this gothic family gathering.
You can find an up to date list of performing artist at the WGT Forum or subscribe to the WGT newsletter to get updates of confirmed artists.
Not only the music has a lot of variety, also the locations are pretty diverse: from open-air concerts at the Parkbühne to the vaults of the Moritzbastei and of course large concerts halls there is a lot to discover.
Victorian Village
Besides music there is a lot of other stuff to do: art exhibitions, (medival) markets, theatre, lectures, picnics or just exploring the city centre of Leipzig with its historical buildings from the Renaissance to the Art Nouveau era. (If you are visiting Leipzig and the Wave Gotik Treffen for the first time, we recommened having a look at the guide of sadgoth.com).
Of course you can also go shopping at the old fair grounds agra, where the main hall turns into one large gothic mall.
With your festival ticket you can use the city’s public transport for free from Friday morning until noontime Tuesday. A lot of museums offer free entrance and special guided tours for WGT visitors.
So there is a lot to do during the day. In the evening different DJs of all sub-genres will offer you a wide variety of dance and party opportunities.
Speaking of Steampunk there are exicting news, too. There will be Viona’s Victorian Village. At the Panometer arena there will be a Victorian market, historical dance lessons, music and a lot more without paparazzi and nosy tourists all Friday long starting at 11AM.
You can find more information here.
There will still be a Victorian Picnic independent from Viona’s event. The exact location will be published soon at the official WGT homepage.
On Saturday there will be the 4th edition of the steampunk picnic. Due to the difficulties of getting to the picnic place last year the location was changed to the Palmengarten. Instead of taking loads of food back home uneaten, there will be a buffet where everybody can bring something. In addition to that the organisers also have plans for a small program. Everyone can submit to that.
More information about the program, location etc. can be found here.
Steampunk Picnic
Over the last two decades the inhabitants of Leipzig have become familiar with the over 20,000 gothics visiting their city which results in an almost magical atmosphere of celebrating peacefully together. It’s like one large family gathering so don’t miss it!
Tickets can be bought here. The ticket for the whole weekend of Whitsun costs €99, the Obsorgekarte (your allowance for the camping area) an additional €25. If you want to park at the agra area you also need a parking vignette for €15.