Leipzig children's reading festival scheduled for August 2026

The "LeseLust" reading festival will take place in Leipzig from 6 to 9 August 2026 in Clara‑Zetkin‑Park, offering daily story sessions for children aged 3‑10 (older children welcome). Each day features a different theme and guests from the local book and cultural scene.

On Thursday, the focus is music with Susanne Metz, head of the Leipzig City Libraries, and Franziska Opp opening the event, joined by puppeteer Wilfried Reach and storyteller Katja Stiller. Friday’s theme "Books about Books" is led by Susan Thiel of the children’s bookshop Serifee, with illustrator Susanne Göhlich and a story by Buchkind Lenne. Saturday explores night‑time imagery with authors Helga Voigt and Maja Conrad. Sunday looks to the future, featuring space expert Tasillo Römisch and journalist Christoph Seidler, while improvisational actress Susanne Bolf engages the audience.

Throughout the festival, volunteers read aloud, a "Lesebar" offers rotating books, and the Deutsches Buch‑ und Schriftmuseum runs a creative workshop. Children receive stamps in a reading pass for each book heard, entering daily prize draws, and a book‑exchange shelf allows swapping brought‑along titles. Groups must register by email.