Courage in our hearts, sunshine in our minds—We kids are strong!
On September 20, 2026, World Children’s Day will once again be celebrated in Jena. Under the motto “Courage in our hearts, sunshine in our heads—We children are strong!” the organizers invite children, teens, and families to a big celebration on Rasenmühlen Island from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. More than 30 clubs, associations, and youth organizations are putting together a colorful and free program for participating, trying new things, and celebrating.
This year’s focus is on the question: What makes children strong? What gives us courage? What do we need to believe in ourselves? Together with children, teens, and adults, World Children’s Day aims to explore how diverse strength can be—and what role children’s rights play in this.
“A big thank you to everyone who helped put together this wonderful program,”
says Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, who will officially open the celebration. Since 2007, World Children’s Day has been celebrated regularly in Jena with a large festival.
130 children show what makes them strong
This year’s World Children’s Day drawing contest also shows just how diverse the answers to the question of one’s own strength can be. 130 children from first through sixth grade have captured their thoughts, experiences, and ideas in pictures. Friendship and solidarity, mutual support, family, and the confidence to overcome challenges together play a major role in these works.
“Children and young people are experts on their own lives. That’s why we’re delighted every year to see the wonderful works of art through which children share their experiences and their world with us. This year, children and young people were also part of the jury and contributed their own valuable perspectives to the evaluation of the drawings,”
says Judith Hilz, office manager and youth association coordinator at the Demokratischer Jugendring Jena e.V.
The winning painting from the art contest, along with ten other outstanding works, will be honored on September 20 during a grand awards ceremony. The young artists themselves will be asked about the inspiration behind their paintings. All award-winning paintings can be admired on World Children’s Day on Rasenmühleninsel.
Experience, Play, and Celebrate Children’s Rights
A diverse program awaits visitors at the festival. During the big World Children’s Day rally on children’s rights, children can playfully discover what children’s rights mean at various stations. The eleven award-winning artworks will also be featured.
In addition, numerous booths invite visitors to craft, create, play, and try new things. Large-scale games, sports activities, food offerings, and many other hands-on activities ensure plenty of variety. On stage, the program features dance, music, puppet theater, and martial arts, among other things. At the kids’ disco, everyone can dance and celebrate together.
“Together, we celebrate our strengths, our ideas, and children’s rights, which enable many children to grow up safely and happily,”
say the organizers.
The festival is organized by, among others, Klex—An Open House for Children, Youth, and Families—and the Demokratischer Jugendring Jena e.V., together with numerous Jena-based clubs, youth organizations, and other partners in youth work.
World Children’s Day 2026
September 20, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rasenmühleninsel, Jena
Free admission