Wackelpeter — Children's and Cultural Festival Bielefeld

Bielefeld — Cultural Capital of Ostwestfalen

Bielefeld, a major city with around 339,000 inhabitants in the Detmold administrative district, is the cultural and economic center of Ostwestfalen-Lippe. The city maintains a dedicated cultural office that organizes several event series such as the Carl-Tönsing Concerts, Cultural Days, or the Wackelpeter — the latter being the largest children's cultural event in the Bielefeld summer.

24th Edition — Almost a Quarter Century of Tradition

With its 24th edition in 2026, Wackelpeter joins the long-standing Bielefeld summer highlights. What began in the early 2000s as a small event at the end of the summer holidays has now become a family festival day with several thousand visitors. The date is always the Sunday weekend before school starts in NRW — so August 30th in 2026.

Venue: Ravensberger Park

The Ravensberger Park is Bielefeld's best-known inner-city park — a former industrial wasteland featuring the Ravensberger Spinning Mill (now a community college and event center), a pond, playgrounds, and large grassy areas. For Wackelpeter, the entire area is used: the main stage, hands-on activity zones, craft areas, reading corners, face-painting stands, and a food truck area are spread over a distance of about 600 meters.

Program — Colorful Variety for Children and Families

The program combines live acts on the main stage (children's bands, theater, dance performances) with interactive hands-on activities (craft workshops, children's disco, face-painting stand, playground animations). Walk-acts and acrobats roam the park, providing surprising encounters — the 3.5-meter-tall Wackelpeter figure is the mascot and meeting point for children. Local cultural institutions (city library, Theater Bielefeld, community college, artists' initiatives) offer creative stations.

Partner: Radio Bielefeld

The local station Radio Bielefeld is a co-organizer — it hosts the stage program, provides musical accompaniment, and organizes additional station activities (live children's broadcast, photo booth, games). This public-private cooperation has shaped the event for years.

Free Admission — Accessible Family Culture

One of the central goals: free admission. The Bielefeld Cultural Office thus ensures that family culture remains accessible regardless of income — a position that aligns with social inclusion in Bielefeld. Food and drinks are purchased directly at several food trucks and club stands — typically 3–8 EUR per item.

Getting There and Tips

Ravensberger Park is centrally located and within walking distance of Bielefeld Central Station (10 min.). The light rail and bus stop directly at the park ("Rathaus" or "Beckhausstraße"). Accessible paths for families with strollers. If arriving by car: parking garages Stadttheater or Niederwall, then a short walk to the park.