Leipzig in May

May through September gives you Leipzig at its liveliest. University students fill the beer gardens, outdoor concerts happen weekly, and you can actually sit outside without freezing. June brings the Bach Festival, when the entire city becomes a concert hall. Tickets for St. Thomas Church performances cost €15-40, but free concerts happen in parks throughout the festival week. September offers perfect weather and fewer crowds. The leaves start changing around Johannapark, and restaurant patios stay open until October. Winter has its charm if you can handle the cold. The Christmas market in Markt runs from late November through December, and mulled wine costs just €3 per cup. But daylight disappears by 4 PM, and many outdoor attractions close.