Heider Kinderwoche

Heide, the City with the Big Market

Heide, with just under 21,000 inhabitants and the district capital of Dithmarschen, is known not only for its huge market square – Germany's largest undeveloped market square at 4.7 hectares – but also for its vibrant city center with a pedestrian zone, boutiques, and a diverse culinary scene. When the Heider Stadtmarketing GmbH and the Wirtschafts- und Gewerbeverein Heide (Heide Business and Trade Association) completely reserve the city center for children once a year, it becomes the Heider Kinderwoche – a whole week of programming culminating in the Heider Kindertag.

Six Days of Hands-on Activities

The week begins on Monday and spreads the program across all weekdays: On various days, you can try water games in the Dithmarscher Wasserwelt, play a VR treasure hunt called Mission Panzerknacker, paint shop windows in the stores, build a giant community puzzle in the city library, or listen to the mayor's reading hour on Thursday. Local clubs, studios, and artists contribute workshops – from climbing and dancing to arts and crafts.

The Heider Kindertag — The Highlight

The climax is the Heider Kindertag on the last Saturday of the week – on June 6th, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Between Böttcher-Rondell and Südermarkt, the streets transform into a mile-long play area with numerous attractions. Bouncy castles, face painting, craft stations, small animal exhibits, live music, and dance on the festival stage, a children's flea market, and a Sunday shopping event at the city center stores are part of the mandatory program. Several tens of thousands of visitors come to Heide's city center year after year.

Who's Participating?

Behind the Kinderwoche is the Wirtschafts- und Gewerbeverein Heide in cooperation with the Stadtmarketing GmbH. Booths are operated by social welfare organizations (DRK, Caritas, Diakonie), sports clubs, schools, and kindergartens, as well as local businesses. Booth fees range from free for non-profit organizations to €14 per meter per day for commercial providers – a model that ensures mixed participation.

Dithmarschen and its District Capital

Heide is centrally located in Dithmarschen, about 30 km from the North Sea coast (Büsum, Friedrichskoog) and easily accessible by train and car (A23, Marschbahn). Those who combine the Kinderwoche with a family vacation are close to the Wadden Sea, the Kiel Canal, and the cultural highlights of Friedrichstadt and Tönning.