Göppingen Plays!

The City Center as a Playground

"Göppingen Plays!" is one of the most successful family formats in the Göppingen district (state of Baden-Württemberg). Organized by Göppinger City e.V., the marketing association of Göppingen's city center businesses, the action week annually transforms the entire city center into a play area in early August. Shops, clubs, educational institutions, and cultural organizations join forces to bring families and children into the city – a concept that has since been copied in many German cities.

10th Anniversary Edition 2026

In 2026, "Göppingen Plays!" celebrates its 10th edition – a decade in which the format has grown from a small experiment to a permanent fixture of Göppingen's summer calendar. Over six days of festivities, from Monday to Saturday, the city center will be filled with:

• Board games and social games of all kinds at countless tables in the open air
• Giant skill games (chess, connect four, Jenga)
• Hands-on stations for children aged 4 to 14
• Creative workshops with crafting, painting, and making
• Entertainment and performances on the stage at the market square
• Movement games on asphalt and grass
• Reading corners with volunteer readers

The Idea Behind the Format

At the heart of "Göppingen Plays!" is a clear vision: the city center should once again become a place for families to spend time – not just for shopping, but for shared experiences. The format is completely free, accessible, and open to everyone. Local clubs, kindergartens, and schools are given space to present themselves and offer activities. Educational professionals supervise the play areas, ensuring safety and inclusion.

Göppingen — City of the Fils Region

The city of Göppingen (~57,000 inhabitants) lies at the transition from the Swabian Jura foothills to the Swabian Jura, about 40 km east of Stuttgart. Göppingen is known as the home of Märklin (model trains) and the birthplace of the jewelry industry. The city center with its market square, main street, and castle forms the natural backdrop for the play week. Accessible via the A8 motorway (Stuttgart–Munich) and the S-Bahn S1 train line, the city is easy to reach.

Part of the Göppingen Event Series

"Göppingen Plays!" is part of a year-round event series organized by Göppinger City e.V. – including Göppingen Spring (March/April), Göppingen Wine Festival (September/October), and Göppingen Forest Christmas (November/December). The series accompanies city life throughout the year and positions the Göppingen city center as an urban experience space.