After half a year as European Capital of Culture, the City of Chemnitz, the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH and its many partners are extremely positive. Chemnitz 2025 has received the great attention it had hoped for - from the people of Chemnitz themselves, but above all from visitors from the region, Germany, Europe and all over the world: visitor numbers have risen significantly, both in the city and the region as well as in the museums and cultural institutions. There has also been a noticeable increase in catering, conferences and congresses as well as in public transport. The entire Capital of Culture region is benefiting from increased interest, which is also reflected in the number of overnight stays. The Capital of Culture motto "C the Unseen" could not have been more apt. A city and a region have become visible and have been attracting cultural tourists for six months. Many are visiting Chemnitz and the region for the first time. The general tenor: they like being here.
Events with record attendance
Since the opening event on 18 January with around 80,000 guests, well over 1,000 events have already taken place in the Capital of Culture programme. Some formats reached a particularly large audience: KOSMOS Chemnitz, a festival for culture and democracy, took place over three days for the first time and ended on Sunday with a record attendance of 115,000. The Hat Festival in May attracted 105,000 visitors, twice as many as last year. The European Capital of Culture Marathon also brought over 8,000 runners to the starting line in May and thousands of visitors and fans to the route. The opening of the PURPLE PATH art and sculpture trail in April attracted thousands of interested visitors to the 38 municipalities in the Capital of Culture region. The installation "The Universe in a Pearl" by Rebecca Horn in the Hospital Church in Lößnitz alone has so far attracted 8,200 visitors and the "Entanglements" exhibition in the revitalised Kulturbahnhof in Flöha 10,000.At the #3000Garagen festival on Whitsun weekend, over 7,000 people celebrated on the lawn of a large Chemnitz garage, 6,000 danced at the Tango Festival and around 10,000 people have taken part in the hands-on activities in the region's maker hubs so far. The Hartmannfabrik - a renovated factory building and part of the 30 intervention areas of Chemnitz 2025 - is now home to the Capital of Culture's visitor and information centre, which is visited by up to 500 guests a day.
Involvement of people from Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region
A special feature of Chemnitz 2025 is that the more than 200 projects in the programme are being implemented by around 900 stakeholders from Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region as well as with European and international partners. In addition, 120 project ideas from individuals, associations and initiatives were approved under the "EUJA!" funding programme specially set up for the Capital of Culture year. The local commitment is also reflected in the enormous participation in the Chemnitz 2025 volunteer programme, for which over 1,000 volunteers have registered since the start in 2023 and have completed around 6,000 assignments to date.
The goal formulated in the application to encourage as many people as possible to get involved is working. For example, 1600 amateur singers took part in a large musical at the Kulturkirche Chemnitz 2025. Around 2,500 people from Chemnitz actively participated in the realisation of the KOSMOS festival. Since May 2024, around 100 people over the age of 60 have been meeting weekly for dance workshops and a growing group of young people are constantly planning and realising their own projects with a large youth festival as the finale in October. 160 garage users have had their portraits taken by a photographer and the pictures can be seen in an exhibition. In April alone, around 600 people from Chemnitz planted around 400 apple trees in several community activities; the next planting festival will take place in autumn. Hundreds more are taking part in artistic projects with their stories, taking part in the countless hands-on events or realising their own micro-projects.
Cultural institutions with strong growth
The museums in Chemnitz are reporting consistently high visitor numbers:
- The Chemnitz Art Collections recorded around 61,205 visitors in the period from January to May 2025, which is more than twice as many as in the same period in 2024 (29,507). The exhibitions on the architects Frei Otto and Kengo Kuma, the exhibition on realism movements of the 1920s and 30s, "European Realities" and the newly opened Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Haus, one of the 30 intervention spaces in the Chemnitz 2025 infrastructure programme, are particularly popular.
- The Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz welcomed 10,668 visitors in the same period (January to May 2024: 8,370) and was particularly busy with the "Fossil of the Year 2025" exhibition and the presentation of the sharks' nursery.
- By 9 June 2025, the Industrial Museum had welcomed a total of 49,775 visitors, an increase of 66.6 per cent compared to the previous year. The special exhibition "Tales of Transformation" on the transformation of former European industrial cities, which was specially planned for Chemnitz 2025, will run until 16 November.
- The number of guided tours on offer has at least tripled in almost all institutions, and many dates are already fully booked months in advance. Villa Esche, as part of the Henry van de Velde Route, was one of the top performers with 327 guided tours in the first half of the year alone.
Overnight stays on the rise
According to Tourismusverband Chemnitz Zwickau Region e.V., tourism demand in Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture Region increased in the first half of 2025. Overnight stay statistics have shown an increase since March in particular: Chemnitz recorded 9.8 per cent more overnight stays in March than in the previous year, while growth in Zwickau was 7.5 per cent (more up-to-date figures are not yet available). Many hotels in Chemnitz are reporting almost full occupancy, particularly around major events such as the opening, Europe Week, Hat Festival and KOSMOS. Some hotels are reporting an increase in reservations of around 20 per cent. Numerous advance bookings have already been made for the coming months into the autumn.
Strong demand for tourist information
From January to May, the Chemnitz Tourist Information Centre recorded around 450 guided tours with over 10,000 guests - more than three times as many as in the previous year (178 guided tours with 2,924 guests). In addition, around 400 enquiries are received every day. The number of tour enquiries from individual travellers, groups and event organisers has also increased significantly. In the first half of the year, over 200 group enquiries were processed for around 3,500 guests. Many guests stay in the city for an average of three to four days, visiting museums, Capital of Culture events and taking advantage of guided tours or city tours. The response has been positive: enquiries are already being received for 2026.
Conference and congress location gains in appeal
Chemnitz is increasingly establishing itself as an attractive location for national and international specialist events. In the first half of 2025, the C³ Chemnitz event centres already registered 31,000 guests at conferences and congresses. That is an increase of more than three times (2024: 8,700). Examples:
- I²MTC: with over 400 participants from more than 40 countries, the trade fair for measurement technology was held in Germany for the first time after Kuala Lumpur and Glasgow
- Annual conference of the German Museums Association with around 1,000 registrants
- Conference of the Cultural Foundation of the Federal States, the Federal Association of Friends of German Museums and other specialist events
Significantly increased traffic volume and tourist demand
Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS) has significantly expanded its services in the first half of 2025:
- Around 900 additional buses and 560 additional trains on a total of twelve lines
- Special services for major events, including night trains (Stockholm), regional railway lines and cable car extensions
- The VMS expects at least 1 million additional passengers by the end of June
Tour guides report high demand and positive response
At the start of the year, the Verein der Gästeführer Chemnitz e. V. has recorded an increase in turnover of around 30 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of enquiries has risen noticeably - both from private guests and small groups as well as from congress and event participants. Many of these groups use their stay specifically to experience the Capital of Culture year. Themed tours and individually tailored programmes are particularly popular. The feedback from guests is consistently positive - both in terms of the quality of the guided tours and the atmosphere in the city. In order to meet the high demand for city tours, Chemnitz 2025 volunteers have been offering city walks in German and English every Saturday since April. Over 100 guests take part each week.
International delegations
The number of international appointments in the Lord Mayor's department increased significantly in the first half of 2025 compared to previous years. The Department for European and International Relations regularly organises around 100 events per year - this level was already reached by the middle of the year. Chemnitz was also able to welcome Alar Karis from Estonia, the first acting president since reunification. The number of official delegations from partner and friendly cities - usually around ten per year - has also already been reached.
In the first half of the year, the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH welcomed around 30 delegation groups with a total of around 1,500 trade visitors from over 30 countries in Europe and around the world, including all EU member states and other countries such as Armenia, the UK, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Norway, Turkey, Switzerland and South Africa.
The exchange between the European Capitals of Culture is also active. For example, delegations from a total of 60 former or future Capitals of Culture and partner cities visited Chemnitz and the region for the opening and the "40 Years of European Capitals of Culture" conference. In addition, various artist residencies have already taken place with well over 100 European participants.
Journalistic interest
Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region are receiving a lot of media attention. The topic of Chemnitz 2025 has so far attracted around 400 journalists from Germany, a total of 16 European countries, Argentina, South Korea and China to the Capital of Culture. In total, around 2,200 articles about Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025 have appeared since the start of the year - around 1,050 of them national, around 750 regional, around 300 national and more than 140 international.
Conclusion
The interim results at the halfway point of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 show that The city and the 38 municipalities in the Capital of Culture region are experiencing an upswing, which is reflected in the areas of culture, tourism, business and infrastructure. Visitors come with great curiosity and openness and are enthusiastic about the diverse range of offers in the city and region. The people of Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region are proud to show what was previously unseen by many.
At the same time, work is underway to take the Capital of Culture effect into the future. The PURPLE PATH art and sculpture trail, which connects Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region with the works of contemporary artists, will develop into a permanent tourist attraction in the coming years. In addition, new creative tourism offerings will be created with the Makerhubs, for example.
One highlight for 2026 has already been announced: in exactly one year, the international festival Theatre of the World, which is hosted by a different city in Germany every three years, will start on 18 June.
Comments on the mid-term review
Barbara Klepsch, Saxon State Minister for Culture and Tourism:
"The positive effects of the Capital of Culture on culture and tourism are clearly noticeable and I am convinced that the Capital of Culture has already developed an enormous radiance. It has brought Europe to Saxony and thus brought international visibility, sympathy and attention to our federal state. It thus impressively demonstrates what culture can achieve. I am also delighted that Chemnitz is an important venue for numerous events this year and next. People from other parts of Germany, Europe or even from all over the world will come to the region, be pleasantly surprised by the cultural offerings and thus become ambassadors for the state of Saxony."
Sven Schulze, Lord Mayor of the City of Chemnitz:
"Six months as European Capital of Culture 2025 show: Chemnitz is in the spotlight - both nationally and internationally. People from all over Europe are visiting our city, experiencing culture, openness and adaptability. Many come to Chemnitz for the first time and take home a new, often surprisingly positive impression. This is exactly the effect we were hoping for. At the same time, we are experiencing that this process also has an inward effect. The Capital of Culture makes visible what Chemnitz has to offer - for others, but also for ourselves."
Stefan Schmidtke, Managing Director Programme, Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH:
"The Capital of Culture programme is made by local people. Actors, initiatives and associations were brought together in advance, expertise was created and new local and international networks were established. Now we can see: Yes, it works, the visitors are enthusiastic. These structures create the basis for enabling the next transformation of Chemnitz into a city of culture. Intensive work is already underway in many places to further develop the programme sustainably and to consolidate the Capital of Culture effect."
Andrea Pier, Commercial Managing Director, Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH:
"Even after the first six months as European Capital of Culture, it is impossible to overlook: The long-standing commitment of many people since the application phase is bearing fruit. This is evidenced not only by the rising numbers of overnight stays and restaurant visits, but above all by the palpable spirit of optimism throughout the city and region. We are experiencing how targeted investment in art and culture - in close cooperation between the public and private sectors - strengthens civil society and encourages people to play an active role in shaping it."
Dieter Greysinger, Lord Mayor of the town of Hainichen:
"Hainichen is very proud to be part of the European Capital of Culture 2025. For this reason alone, we have decorated our town hall since autumn 2024 with the flags of all the countries that have already been European Capitals of Culture. With the work "Endless Column" by Stijn Ank, Hainichen is part of the PURPLE PATH art and sculpture trail. It's not just here in the city that I regularly see interested people looking at the work. Whenever I'm out and about along the PURPLE PATH myself, I meet other visitors at the artworks and I'm convinced that this major art project will bring our Capital of Culture region together in the long term and that we will benefit from it in the long term."
Alexander Troll, Mayor of the town of Lößnitz:
"Lößnitz has supported the idea of Chemnitz and the municipalities in the region becoming European Capital of Culture 2025 from the very beginning - even during the application phase. For us, this was a good basis for bringing our regional centre closer together with the surrounding towns and municipalities in the interests of jointly shaping future development in many areas. As mayor, I am particularly proud of the fact that from the very beginning, players in our civil society, i.e. the citizens of our city, not only actively supported the application process and subsequent implementation, but also developed ideas themselves and got involved in projects. We can now all reap the rewards of this commitment together and enjoy many encounters and good conversations with people from Germany, Europe and the rest of the world - something that has been rather unusual in our city to date. In addition to the artwork "One Million" by Uli Aigner, which was installed at the PURPLE PATH under the city's direction, most of the civic supporters of the first hour can now be found at the very committed LößnitzMAKERS - #diemacherei or, as a further actor in the city society, our Evangelical Lutheran parish can present the very impressive artwork "The Universe in a Pearl" by Rebecca Horn in the Hospitalkirche St. Georg. Simply marvellous!"
Marika Fischer, Managing Director of Tourismusverband Chemnitz Zwickau Region e. V.:
"We are the tourism region of the European Capital of Culture 2025 - and we can clearly feel it. What once felt like a bold dream is now a reality: people from all over the world are making their way here to spend their holidays and discover our region in all its facets - far beyond the Capital of Culture programme. And the entire holiday region benefits from this, which has developed into a major tourist stage within a short space of time - with courage, openness and a tangible spirit of optimism. The Capital of Culture works, as can be seen not only from the figures, but above all from the faces of our enthusiastic guests. The tourism potential was always there - now it is being realised."
Ines Hanisch-Lupaschko, Managing Director of Tourismusverband Erzgebirge e. V.:
"As part of the Capital of Culture, we are experiencing how positively this title is perceived from all sides and how, together with the UNESCO World Heritage title, it is increasingly unfolding its radiance. The PURPLE PATH art and sculpture trail is a connecting element for the Ore Mountains, it unites Chemnitz with the cultural region and makes art in public spaces accessible to everyone. For our guests, the PURPLE PATH is a unique experience that combines art, nature and the impressive history of our region in a fascinating way. It has the potential to establish itself as a long-term magnet for visitors and allows us to discover the beauty and diversity of our landscape from new perspectives."
Sven Hertwig, owner of exclusiv events:
"The increased number of visitors is very noticeable in the city and the impact on catering and retail is absolutely positive. It's a very nice atmosphere and is good for our city centre. The impact on previous city centre events has also been very positive and we are expecting strong footfall and sales at the Brewery Market and Fashion Day."
Ramona Wagner, tour guide at the Verein der Gästeführer Chemnitz e. V.:
"I have specialised in the Capital of Culture theme in my guided tours for two years now and have noticed that many people want to know how Chemnitz 2025 will become visible. I am currently booked for up to four guided tours a day on average and have already given about as many tours this year as I did in 2024. Around 80 per cent of the bookings come from the old federal states and Berlin. However, I have also noticed that many people from Leipzig and Dresden are also discovering Chemnitz as a Capital of Culture."