Nine free activity days invite you to participate and try things out
Open-air education in the heart of Darmstadt: The Darmstadt Adult Education Center (vhs) invites you to a total of nine activity days from August 12th to 28th, 2026, centered around the "Knowledge for All!" pavilion. Workshops, consultations, discussions, and numerous hands-on activities are on offer at Ludwig-Metzger-Platz in front of the Justus-Liebig-Haus.
The event days will take place every Wednesday through Friday for the next three weeks. Each day will focus on a different theme. Participation is free of charge. The Darmstadt Citizens' Foundation is supporting the event series.
From democracy and career to health and languages
The event kicks off on Wednesday, August 12th, with Democracy Day. The following day, Career Day, focuses on career guidance and professional development. Friday, August 14th, will be dedicated to sustainability.
The following week continues with the creative day on August 19th. On August 20th, the focus is on exercise and physical activity, followed by games day on August 21st.
The third week of activities begins on August 26th with events in the areas of music, dance, and theater. August 27th is dedicated to health. The week concludes on August 28th with Language Day.
VHS wants to reach people directly in the city center
With the pavilion, the adult education center is deliberately taking its offerings out of the classrooms and to a central location in the city center.
"For decades, the Darmstadt Adult Education Center (vhs Darmstadt) has been an indispensable place for lifelong learning and social interaction," explains Holger Klötzner, Head of Education. Thanks to the support of the Citizens' Foundation, the educational programs can be brought to where people spend their daily lives.
“Education should be low-threshold, inspiring and directly accessible to everyone. I cordially invite all residents of Darmstadt to come along, exchange ideas and discover the diversity of our new program,” said Klötzner.
Action days prepare for the autumn semester
At the same time, the nine days offer a preview of the adult education center's new fall semester, which begins on August 31, 2026. The program ranges from society and life to career and professional development, health, art, and creative design.
Numerous language courses are also offered. Anyone wishing to refresh their knowledge, learn a new foreign language, or first determine the appropriate course level can receive free advice on August 13th and 18th
The complete autumn program is already available online. Courses and events can also be booked directly there.
The pavilion is part of the World Design Capital 2026
The "Knowledge for all!" pavilion is part of the World Design Capital 2026 program. From July to the end of October, free events on knowledge and participation will be offered there.
The architecture department of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences was responsible for the planning and construction. Funding was provided by the Entega Foundation, the Merck Foundation, the Software AG Foundation, Sparkasse Darmstadt and Dieburg, Farbenkraut Baumarkt GmbH, and the Becker timber merchant.
Further information and the program for the action days can be found at the Darmstadt Adult Education Center – “Knowledge for all!”.
An overview of the nine VHS action days
- August 13: Workers' Day
- August 14: Sustainability Day
- August 19: Creative Day
- August 20: Day of Movement
- August 21: Games Day
- August 26: Music, Dance and Theatre Day
- August 27: Health Day
- August 28: Language Day
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
