Purple Path Weekend 2026

Celebrations along the Art Trail

In the Geyersche Binge at night, several people are standing in front of an imposing rock formation. A colourful light installation in shades of red, pink, violet and orange glows on the dark rock. Visitors view the illuminated rocks up close, whilst the dark night sky and the surrounding rock faces frame the scene.
At the Binge in Geyer, guests marvelled at the light and sound installation ‘Tiefenzeit ’ by Philipp Frank. Picture: Ernesto Uhlmann

Celebrations along the Art Trail

The Purple Path weekend drew to a close with a rave, arts and crafts activities and a light installation in the Geyerische Binge.

More than 100 events held along the art and sculpture trail attracted large crowds. From Friday to Sunday, there were guided tours, festivals and talks, with several highlights to discover: open-air karaoke in Lichtenwalde and Thalheim; a festival in Lößnitz celebrating the world’s smallest porcelain service; a village festival in Ehrenfriedersdorf; a play about Karl May in Hohenstein-Ernstthal and yoga by James Turrell’s light installation in Oelsnitz in the Ore Mountains.

The Purple Path art and sculpture trail connects Chemnitz with 37 towns and villages in the Ore Mountains and Central Saxony. It is one of the sustainable projects of the Capital of Culture year.

In Zschopau, guests were able to enjoy a concert. Picture: Mark Frost
Ehrenfriedersdorf was once again all about wild boars. Picture: Mark Frost
In a rustic workshop, a person is working on a table with a piece of wood. There are numerous fine wood shavings and various tools on the workbench. Further woodwork and materials can be seen in the background. The warm lighting and the wooden furnishings convey the atmosphere of a traditional craftsman’s workshop.
In Seiffen, visitors had the chance to try their hand at a wood-chipping workshop. Picture: Johannes Richter
In a former swimming pool, a large crowd is dancing at a rave. The room is bathed in bright blue, purple and pink light, whilst mist and beams of light sweep through the hall. Curved lighting and decorative elements hang from the ceiling and above the dance floor.
At a pool rave, lots of people danced together in the former swimming pool in Thalheim. Picture: Johannes Richter