Event Details
Welcome to the Kinderzeche Dinkelsbühl 2027
From 16 to 25 July 2027, the medieval old town of Dinkelsbühl turns into a lively festival ground. The Kinderzeche is one of Germany's best known children's and heritage festivals; it commemorates a legend from the Thirty Years' War, according to which the town's children pleaded for mercy in 1632 and helped avert a siege by Swedish troops. Since 1897 this story has been reenacted in a historic pageant involving pupils from every school in Dinkelsbühl and more than 1,000 additional participants.
Highlights
- Historic pageant performed several times in the Schranne playhouse
- Two grand costumed parades on both Sundays and the closing Monday
- Traditional children's dances and round dances at the Weinmarkt
- The handover of the town as the dramatic climax of the pageant
- Imperial city and Swedish camps recreating 17th century life
- Distribution of the sweet filled Kinderzech Gucke bag to every participating child
- Folk festival on the Schießwasen with rides and festival tents
Program
Over the ten festival days, the pageant is staged several times in the Schranne playhouse, each performance followed by the ceremonial handover of the town. On both Sundays and the final Monday, historical groups and school classes from grades one to eight take part in the large parade through the old town. On several days, traditional children's and round dances are also performed; rehearsals traditionally start around Easter. On the Tuesday, every participating child receives the Kinderzech Gucke, a bag filled with sweets, a nod to the festival's origins as a school celebration. Alongside the pageant, the folk festival on the Schießwasen offers rides, festival tents and food stalls.
Tickets
Everyone aged 16 and older needs a festival badge to attend Kinderzeche events; it cost eight euros in 2026, with a price increase announced for 2027. Separate tickets are required for individual program points: admission to the town handover costs around four euros, a seat on the parade grandstand about seven euros, and the grand closing event ranges from seven to fifteen euros depending on the seating category. The festival badge alone is enough for the children's dances at the Weinmarkt. Advance tickets are sold through the Kinderzeche website and the Dinkelsbühl tourist office.
Visitor Tips
- Book tickets for the pageant and parade grandstand early online, as popular dates sell out quickly.
- Pick up reserved tickets at the tourist office at least 30 minutes before the event starts.
- Explore the car free old town on foot; a shuttle service runs to parking areas on the edge of town.
- Pack weatherproof clothing, as many program points take place outdoors.
- Plan for more than one day if you want to see both the dances and the camp life, since the program runs across ten days.
