Children's Festival in the Franco-German Garden
The big family festival in Saarbrücken's DFG for International Children's Day
About Children's Festival DFG
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A Garden for Children
When the Franco-German Garden is entirely dedicated to children on the Sunday before International Children's Day, it's more than just a typical neighborhood festival. The Children's Festival in the DFG has been the major Saarland family festival in the state capital for many years — a day when the garden's 50 hectares are completely tailored to the needs of the youngest visitors.
Children's Rights as a Common Thread
Behind the colorful program lies a clear mission: to make children's rights visible. Each year, the festival is held under a motto that picks up on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2026, it is 'Strong Children, Strong Future!' and focuses on children's participation in societal decisions. The UNICEF working group Saarbrücken has been a pillar for years, organizing its own UNICEF meadow with creative activities, a treasure hunt, and a sustainable raffle.
Hundreds of Participants, One Common Idea
What makes the Children's Festival in the DFG special: It's not a top-down event, but a participatory festival. Associations, schools, kindergartens, youth groups, social organizations, and artists from all over the Saarland and neighboring Lorraine register to contribute their own stations, stage performances, and information booths. The deadline for participants is traditionally at the beginning of June. The result: a program of dozens of parallel offerings — from craft and play stations to dance and theater, as well as information booths on children's rights, inclusion, and participation.
The Franco-German Garden — A Green Lung
The DFG itself is a symbol: created in 1960 as a sign of German-French reconciliation, it is now one of the largest city parks in Germany and a popular recreational area for Saarbrücken and the entire Saarland. Water playgrounds, a cable car, a fairy tale forest, ponds, and vast meadows offer the perfect setting for a festival that attracts several thousand visitors — especially from the Saarbrücken regional association and neighboring France.
Free Admission, Engagement Welcome
Like the DFG itself, the Children's Festival is freely accessible — a conscious decision to ensure that families from all backgrounds can participate. Funding comes from the city, sponsors, and volunteer work. Those who wish to support the festival can contact the KidS office at the Dudweiler Town Hall.
Children's Festival DFG — edition 2026
As always, the entire DFG is transformed into a colorful adventure landscape for a day: stages, game stations, creative workshops, sports activities, information booths — dozens of associations, schools, youth groups, and cultural organizers from Saarbrücken and the surrounding area participate. The focus is on the UNICEF meadow with painting, crafting, and building activities, as well as a sustainable raffle.
The deadline for participants was June 1, 2026. They could choose between games and crafts, stage performances (maximum 15 minutes), or information booths.
Programme Children's Festival DFG 2026
Sunday, August 30, 2026 — 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- 11:00 a.m. — Official opening with representatives from the City of Saarbrücken and UNICEF
- 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. — UNICEF Meadow: Painting, crafting, building, treasure hunt, sustainable raffle
- 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. — Dozens of hands-on stations from associations, schools, and social organizations throughout the DFG
- Several stages — Dance, music, theater, performances by children's groups from the Saarland (up to 15 minutes each)
- Information booths on children's rights, inclusion, and participation
- Catering by mobile stands and the Restaurant Deutschmühle
The complete daily program with specific stage slots will traditionally be published in early August 2026 on the website of the state capital.
Highlights Children's Festival DFG 2026
- Motto 2026: 'Strong Children, Strong Future!'
- UNICEF Meadow with its own creative and activity program
- Dozens of hands-on stations from associations from the Saarland
- Free admission for all families
Prices Children's Festival DFG 2026
Free admission. Individual catering and craft activities for a small fee.
Practical information — Children's Festival DFG
Getting There
The Franco-German Garden is located in the Saarbrücken district of Sankt Arnual / Forbach-Stiring. Main access via Deutschmühlental, with additional entrances in the north and south of the park. Accessible from Saarbrücken main station by Saarbahn or bus (stop DFG / Spicherer Berg / Deutschmühlental).
By Car
A620 exit Saarbrücken-Goldene Bremm. Parking available around the DFG entrance and at the border with France. On festival days, public transport is recommended — parking facilities are limited.
Admission
Free admission. Activities and stage program are free; food and some workshops are available for a small fee.
On Site
Catering in the DFG (Restaurant Deutschmühle and mobile stands), changing facilities, toilets, accessible paths. Stroller-friendly. In case of rain, the festival will take place in a reduced form — current information on the website of the City of Saarbrücken.
Participate
Associations and institutions can register as participants until June 1, 2026. Contact: KidS Office, Rathaus Dudweiler, Rathausstraße 5, 66125 Saarbrücken, Tel. +49 681 905-1406, [email protected].
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Children's Festival DFG
Deutsch-Französischer Garten (DFG)
Deutsch-Französischer Garten, 66117 Saarbrücken