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Wave Gotik Treffen 2014: festival dates, bands & travel tips! Steampunk Victorian picnic fashion.

elizabethan goth fashion, adora batbrat

Every summer, the streets of Leipzig are strewn with black feathers and glitter… for the world’s biggest Gothic festival, Wave Gotik Treffen! This year’s celebrations are from June 6-9, 2014, and musicians like The Cruxshadows, UK Decay and Apoptygma Berzerk will be taking the stage.

japanese goths at wave gotik treffen

A trip to WGT is at the top of many Goth bucket lists. I still think back fondly to my experience in 2012. If you missed it, you can look back at my Wave Gotik Treffen posts and travel video.

white face paint goth girl with dreads

If you’re thinking of going to Treffen, you’re in luck: my friends Jen Hoffert and Holger Karas wrote this post with all the details you need, including where to stay and how to get around. They attend WGT each year, so you could’t ask for better experts. Enjoy their photos from the 2013 festivities, and find out more on their Seventh Sin Tumblr.

steampunk men's fashion goggles, wave gotik treffen

The first 145 bands have been announced for the 23rd annual Wave­Gotik­Treffen and we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of our friends from around the world to our home city of Leipzig, Germany. Wave Gotik Treffen is one of the largest gothic and industrial festivals in the world, with over 20,000 visitors and roughly 200 bands playing at dozens of venues throughout the city over four days. In our opinion, it’s also the most stylish festival, where people go all out to express themselves.

steampunk victorian picnic wgt

This year WGT falls quite late, June 6­-9, so the weather should be perfect for exploring the city. In addition to the concerts and parties, there are dozens of other events: operas, musicals, films, a display of historical hearses, and more. Many of the museums and galleries in Leipzig will features works of particular interest to the Gothic crowd such as the Grassi Museum of Ethnography’s global exhibitions on celebrations of death from Sumatra to New Orleans, a special showing of H.R. Giger’s work at the SansvoiX Gallery, and a multi­media presentation from Slovenian electronic pioneers Borghesia at the counter­culture gallery Kultúrny dom B31.

leipzig germany goth festival

Our dear friend Danarama of TwoKnottyBoys from San Francisco will be presenting a bondage workshop on Friday evening at a special downtown location. Dan will also be releasing the first EP “Inside Out” from his project Harm Joy with Olaf of Tyske Ludder at WGT. You can find out more about the many unofficial events surrounding WGT here at the online gothic event calender Schwarzes Leipzig.

goth punk mohawk

The Victorian Picnic at Clara Zetkin Park is a highlight of WGT for those who like to dress up. Hundreds of beautifully costumed participants gather here on the shores of a lake in a manicured city garden, the perfect setting for Lolitas, Steampunks and other romantics.

romantic goth clothing, haute gothic

The pedestrian road running thorough the WGT’s main venue, the AGRA, is known as “the catwalk” for good reason. There will be many people strolling up and down, wildly costumed in every imaginable version of dark attire with photographers, and even a few video crews taking it all in.

goth picnic in park

If you find yourself missing the perfect piece to finish your outfit, one of the massive halls of the AGRA hosts the WGT Black Market for vendors of clothing, house­wares, music, and just about anything else your little dark heart desires.

steampunk men, top hats, eyepatch

You can purchase your tickets to the festival when you arrive (which is much easier than using a wire transfer to purchase them online), but hotel rooms in Leipzig are notoriously hard to come by during the festival weekend. One alternative is to seek private accommodation on the official WGT sub­forum called “Do you need sleep?” Here you can browse through the offers made or post your own request. Leipzig also has a number of good listings on AirBNB. Private accommodations including a bed and use of the bathroom and kitchen generally run about 20-­50€ a night per person.

neon gothic cyber dreads hair

For the truly adventurous among you, there’s a large official campground set up for WGT visitors (25€ for the weekend). Although for the life of me, I’ve never been able to figure out how people manage to come out of their tents looking so good.

green hair german goth girl

Confirmed performances for WGT 2014 include well known acts such Anne Clark, Apoptygma Berzerk, Hocico, Mephisto Walz, Six Comm, The Crüxshadows, and UK Decay, as well as hidden gems such as Antichildleague and Sieben. Naturally there’s a smart­phone app for WGT to help you plan your concert schedule, keep track of where your friends are, and find the best tram connection between venues.

deathrock fashion, traditional 80s gothic

However, it never fails that two of your favorite bands will be playing at the same time at opposite ends of the city. Don’t despair, you’re still going to have a great time and you’ll see an unbelievable number of great performances over four days. The WGT organizers know their stuff about this music, which means that each venue will most likely host a particular sub­genre. It’s often worth staying at one venue for multiple bands to discover new bands similar to one you showed up to see.

military goths, elder goth couple

After the concerts and cultural events shut down each night, DJs from all over the world will invite you to dance at clubs throughout the city. From Neo­Romantic parties held in ballrooms and Batcave themed old school nights in cellar vaults, to the hardest industrial and noise and even one of the largest fetish parties in Germany, no matter what your taste is there’s something, somewhere in the city to keep everyone on their feet from Thursday night till the sun comes up on Tuesday morning. We hope to see you there!

goth parents, baby carriage

Back to La Carmina. Thanks to Jen and Holger for the report and photos, and I echo their words: I hope you’ll make it to Wave Gotik Treffen one day, to see the inspiring fashion and culture for yourselves. One is never too young to enjoy, as you can see from the “baby Goths” in Victorian prams

punk boy carrying baby girl

While you may not want to take a youngster into the crowded concert halls, they’ll enjoy the outdoor food courts and fashion stalls.

Want to see more of the “black market” clothing and bands? Watch my Wave Gotik Treffen video (it includes tons of travel tips), and peruse my blog posts about the festival.

wave gotik treffen 2014 travel events

What do you think of the dark outfits in these photos? Do you know any Goth or punk parents? If you have more Treffen tips for newbies, please share them in the comments!

55 Comments

  1. Dani
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 8:47 pm | Permalink

    hope to see you there!!

  2. Noir
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 8:47 pm | Permalink

    danke !

  3. Rene
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 8:47 pm | Permalink

    thx a lot to you

  4. marcus
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 8:47 pm | Permalink

    i like you <3

  5. yukiro
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 10:20 pm | Permalink

    brings back joyful memories! Wanna go back! <3

  6. Zelda
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 10:41 pm | Permalink

    Amazing and I have to go!

  7. Zelda
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 10:41 pm | Permalink

    Also I like both of your hats

  8. Michelle
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 10:55 pm | Permalink

    I love WGT, sadly can’t make it this year. I will be going to @Amphi_Festival in July & the new @AltFestival in August

  9. Fatima
    Posted April 21, 2014 at 10:55 pm | Permalink

    viel Spaß

  10. Suz
    Posted April 22, 2014 at 4:56 am | Permalink

    Fabulous! Yes, it’s on my ‘Bucket List’ !

  11. Claus
    Posted April 22, 2014 at 4:57 am | Permalink

    What cool clothes at the picnic!

  12. Dan Von Hoyel
    Posted April 22, 2014 at 5:04 am | Permalink

    Thank you for the props! And yes, Jen and Holger are the best! Also, the Americans in Leipzig dinner on Thursday evening is a great way to meet others who are eager to share the best insider hints about getting the most excitement out of WGT.

  13. Neo van Goth
    Posted April 22, 2014 at 3:54 pm | Permalink

    The typical WGT visitors schedule changes over the years:
    – Beginning years: Watching concerts, high culture events and the awesome people on the catwalk.
    – Following years: Being one of the awesome people on the catwalk.
    – Later years: Drink lots of alcoholics and have fun with friends you only see once a year, mostly done at the camping place or the Heidnische Dorf.
    ;)

  14. MelissaR
    Posted April 22, 2014 at 6:11 pm | Permalink

    Amazing fashion! I love the pictures with the children too <3

  15. YourGothicNightmare
    Posted April 22, 2014 at 8:36 pm | Permalink

    I would absolutely LOVE to go to WGT. The chances I actually will be able to in my lifetime are very very slim but not impossible. It’s probably one of the only places I could walk around without being started or shouted at.

  16. Rebeca
    Posted April 23, 2014 at 6:29 am | Permalink

    This is really amazing and very inspiring! Wonderful blog I follow you now in G+ :)

    http://www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

  17. Lintu
    Posted April 23, 2014 at 9:00 pm | Permalink

    it’s me on the picture xD

  18. Carlos D
    Posted April 23, 2014 at 9:00 pm | Permalink

    Ah ive always wanted to go :’)

  19. Birgit
    Posted April 23, 2014 at 9:01 pm | Permalink

    dises jahr wieder!!!!yeah

  20. zee
    Posted April 23, 2014 at 9:01 pm | Permalink

    Gracias!!

  21. Didymus
    Posted April 23, 2014 at 9:41 pm | Permalink

    One day!

  22. Hibari
    Posted April 24, 2014 at 1:37 am | Permalink

    I know a pair of goth parents. Their kid is more into steampunk (and is good friends with kids of two steampunk parents). WGT sounds like a cool event to just go and see everyone’s outfits.

  23. Dipti Bahuguna
    Posted April 24, 2014 at 10:24 am | Permalink

    Amazing pictures!!Earlier I didn’t knew much about steampunk clothing like what all categories will come into it and how to actually implement them on us. After reading your blog I was fascinated to research more on steampunk fashion and concluded with many online steampunk clothing store which I will refer before going for my next steampunk festival.

  24. Tom
    Posted April 24, 2014 at 11:40 am | Permalink

    Fantastic!

  25. Marks
    Posted April 24, 2014 at 11:41 am | Permalink

    Rock Princess

  26. Carsla Peyton
    Posted April 24, 2014 at 11:57 pm | Permalink

    Loving your spooky-cute world! & Looking forward to your future posts. ;D

    <3 Carsla
    Founder & CEO of Connect-the-Cloths
    http://www.connect-the-cloths.com
    http://blogspotter.co/connect-the-cloths/
    A stylist, foodie, & writer's blog in development.

  27. Karen
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:51 am | Permalink

    I hope to go one day!!!!

  28. Tanja
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:51 am | Permalink

    Will you be there? I miss it,was about 7 years or so the last time (every year as i was younger..),but next time in 2015..would love to met you once!

    • lacarmina
      Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:57 am | Permalink

      I am not sure yet, my travel plans are always so unpredictable, but if so I will definitely make an announcement

  29. Hadie
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:51 am | Permalink

    I, my wife and my daughter will go to the WGT this year. Do also will visit this meeting?

    • lacarmina
      Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:56 am | Permalink

      I’m not sure yet if I’ll be able to go, but I will definitely make an announcement and keep me posted. Hope I can

  30. jane
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:51 am | Permalink

    Make UK your midpoint and you can fly all over Europe for 50 cents!!

  31. jane
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:51 am | Permalink

    are you going to this?

  32. gabriele
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 2:52 am | Permalink

    i wanna go one day

  33. Laura Swan
    Posted April 27, 2014 at 9:25 pm | Permalink

    I would die of happiness to be able to attend WGT. Looking forward to your posts on it this year!

  34. Nychta Couture
    Posted May 24, 2014 at 2:20 pm | Permalink

    Such a great post, loved reading each moment :)

    • lacarmina
      Posted May 28, 2014 at 11:33 pm | Permalink

      Aww I’m so glad! Did you see my WGT posts from previous years too? I miss it….

      • Nychta Couture
        Posted May 30, 2014 at 1:32 pm | Permalink

        Yes I spent quite some time reading through your posts ^^ I have made a page with directions to all the WGT events for 2014, and some more information! People that use maps will find it useful I hope :) http://bit.ly/1jRMOcE

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