Laurentiusfest Zwenkau

Volksfest on Lake Zwenkau

The Laurentiusfest in Zwenkau is one of the most traditional summer festivals in the southern Leipzig region. The town of Zwenkau in the Leipzig district (state of Saxony), located directly on Lake Zwenkau south of the trade fair city, celebrates the festival annually around the feast day of St. Lawrence (August 10th) — one of the oldest Christian martyr commemorations. The festival derives its name from the patronage day of St. Lawrence, even though the religious component has receded behind the Volksfest character today. From August 7th to 8th, 2026, the 2026 edition will take place at the Waldbad Zwenkau — directly on the lake shore.

Lake Zwenkau — From Open-Cast Mining to Recreation Area

Lake Zwenkau is a renatured open-cast mining pit and, at almost 10 km², the largest lake in the Leipzig Neuseenland. Until 1999, lignite was mined here; afterward, the mine was flooded and transformed into a recreation area — one of the most spectacular renaturation projects in Central Germany. Today, the lake offers sandy beaches, water sports (sailing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding), hiking trails, and the Waldbad Zwenkau as a historic bathing beach on the north shore. This unique location gives the Laurentiusfest a special atmosphere: a rural Volksfest with a lake view.

Program and Tradition

The Laurentiusfest traditionally begins on Friday late afternoon (from 5 PM) with the beach volleyball tournament on the beach and the opening of the festival tent. Saturday is the main festival day with an all-day program: family activities, sports competitions (swimming, water sports demonstrations, beach soccer), live concerts in the festival tent with cover bands and Schlager artists, and a disco dance in the evening. Sunday offers a morning pint with brass bands and a family afternoon program. The sporting component is traditionally strong — swimming in the lake, beach volleyball, dragon boat races — which characterizes the festival's spirit.

2024 — Anniversary 1050 Years of Zwenkau

In 2024, the Laurentiusfest was held under the title "Anniversary Highlight in Summer" — as part of the celebrations for the town's 1050th anniversary (first documented mention of Zwenkau in 974). Three days instead of two, three stages instead of one, tribute bands to the Rolling Stones, Die Ärzte, and AC/DC, plus quad racing, dragon boat races, a skating competition, a handball tournament, laser shooting, and performances by several choirs and dance groups. The 2026 edition will build on this expanded format but will be more compact, returning to two days.

Getting There and Connections

Zwenkau is located directly south of Leipzig and can be reached in 20 minutes with the S-Bahn line S 5 from Leipzig Hauptbahnhof (station Markkleeberg-Mitte, then bus). By car, take the A 38 (Leipzig–Halle), exit Zwenkau, follow signs for festival parking at the Waldbad. Those arriving by bicycle can use the well-maintained cycle path around Lake Zwenkau — a convenient way to travel in summer.