To conclude the autumn holidays, the museum invites visitors to games, crafts and picture book cinema on October 18th, all centered around the dragon exhibition
To conclude the autumn holidays, the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt is hosting a Dragon Family Day on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Alongside the special exhibition "Dragons – Myth and Reality," children and adults can expect a program of creative activities, board games, and picture book presentations.
The focus is on mythical creatures that have played an important role in the stories and imaginations of different cultures for centuries. On Family Day, young visitors can get creative themselves and explore the topic of dragons in a playful way.
Make, play with and discover dragons
In the main hall of the museum, board games on the theme of dragons are on the program from 11 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Those who prefer to get creative themselves can design pop-up cards with dragon motifs in the education room between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This activity is for children aged six and up. A maximum of 15 children can participate per session, with entry every 30 minutes.
In the afternoon, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., children can make dragon eyes. This activity is suitable for children aged four and up. Participation is limited to 15 children per session. Children will be admitted at 15-minute intervals.
In addition, coloring and craft activities will be available in the main hall throughout the family day.
Picture book cinema with Antje Ehmann
Another program highlight is the picture book cinema with Antje Ehmann. The events begin at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the museum's lecture hall.
The offer complements the creative activities and allows children to immerse themselves in the story world of dragons.
Special exhibition combines art and natural science
The family day takes place as part of the exhibition “Dragons – Myth and Reality”, which can be seen at the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt until January 17, 2027.
The exhibition explores the dragon myth from art historical and scientific perspectives. European and East Asian artworks from antiquity to the present day are presented.
The exhibition is complemented by scientific exhibits, including rare documents of the history of science, fossils millions of years old, and animal specimens.
Following its presentation in Darmstadt, the exhibition will be shown at the Schnütgen Museum in Cologne from March 4th to June 6th, 2027, in cooperation with the Museum of East Asian Art.
Children get in free
Regular museum admission is twelve euros, reduced admission is eight euros. Children and young people up to and including 18 years of age have free admission.
Parents can also visit the museum free of charge if they use the family app of the state of Hesse and meet the corresponding requirements.
The most important information
- Event: Dragon Family Day in conjunction with the exhibition “Dragons – Myth and Reality”
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
- Location: Hessian State Museum Darmstadt
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Board games in the main hall
- 11:30 am to 1 pm: Making dragon pop-up cards, for ages six and up, maximum 15 children per session
- 2 p.m.: Picture book cinema with Antje Ehmann
- 2 pm to 4 pm: Board games in the main hall
- 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.: Making dragon eyes, from four years old, maximum 15 children per session
- 4 p.m.: Second picture book cinema with Antje Ehmann
- All day: Coloring and craft activities
- Adult admission: 12 euros, concessions: 8 euros
- Children and young people: Free admission up to and including 18 years of age
- Family App Hesse: Free entry also for parents when using the app
- Exhibition duration: Until January 17, 2027
(DARMSTADT – RED/HLMD)
