The Sandmännchen in Leipzig

01 October 2025 – 22 February 2026
Special exhibition
Museum of City History Leipzig, Böttchergäßchen Building, Böttchergäßchen 3, 04109 Leipzig

At 66 years of age, the Sandmännchen will visit Leipzig. Gerhard Behrendt created this ageless character with his pointed hat and beard for TV in 1959. Since then, this popular character has helped countless children get a good night’s sleep. The popular show by the East German television broadcasting company survived the division of Germany and still broadcasts its good night stories for children every night.

The exhibition focuses on this superstar of German TV history, in collaboration with rbb-Media. Original Sandmännchen puppets and popular side characters, such as Mr Fox and Mrs Magpie, as well as scenes from various decades of Sandmännchen’s history will be shown. This also includes Sandmännchen’s spectacular range of vehicles, such as the famous vertical take-off and landing aircraft, as well as props and scenes from his trips to the enchanted forest, outer space or the trade fair city Leipzig. A selection of matching Sandmännchen episodes will also be shown. Moreover, there will be hands-on activities and interactive areas for children. The exhibition “Our Sandmännchen in Leipzig” will resonate with different generations: Children will be wide-eyed with wonder, while their parents and grandparents can indulge in happy memories of their own childhoods.