Dellstedt Art and Craft Market

One Community, One Market

Dellstedt, with just under 700 inhabitants in the district of Dithmarschen, has a business idea unusual for a village of its size: Instead of creating a classic marketplace for a fair, the community opens up its private front gardens, garages, and halls. During the event – which began as an artists' market in 2014 and has taken place every two years since – the Dellstedt residents' houses become temporary galleries.

50+ Exhibitors, One Weekend

Over 50 artisans and artists from Schleswig-Holstein and neighbouring federal states present their work in the front gardens of the residents, in the hall of the restaurant Zur Eiche, and in the fire station’s equipment house. The spectrum ranges from ceramics, blacksmith work, textiles, and glass to painting and graphic arts, photography, jewellery design, and printmaking techniques. The unusual presentation format – art instead of stalls – lends the market an intimate, almost salon-like atmosphere.

Kids' Mile, Middle Ages, and Eierkaffé

The Kids' Mile offers a programme that makes the market a family event: storytellers, medieval woodturning, sewing, painting, and play activities. A medieval band plays on both days, and the Elsdorf-Westermühlen music band accompanies Sunday afternoon with its traditional repertoire. The culinary highlight is the famous Dithmarscher Eierkaffé – a regional specialty (coffee with frothed eggs, caraway, and schnapps) – served along with homemade cakes by the Dellstedt Landfrauen (local women's association).

Village Flea Market on Sunday

On Sunday, the art market is supplemented by a village flea market – residents sell bric-a-brac, old clothes, books, and household items. This transforms the pure art market into a typical North German village festival that appeals to all generations.

Dithmarschen and the Marsh Charm

Dellstedt is located in the interior of Dithmarschen, about 20 km east of Heide and 30 km from Büsum. The marsh landscape with its vast meadows, thatched-roof farmhouses, and endless horizons characterises the region. Visitors to the market can easily combine it with a North Sea holiday in Büsum or Friedrichskoog – the drive through the marsh is enjoyable and an experience in itself.