The Heinerfest in Darmstadt with about 250 showmen is one of the largest downtown festivals in Germany. It was founded in 1951 and is now visited by about 700,000 poeple. In addition to rides around the Darmstadt palace and Karolinenplatz and the Ferris wheel on the marketplace more than 100 free events will take place: Live stages, theaters, exhibitions, concerts, hikes, movies and sports tournaments.
The Heinerfest was established as a sign of hope and newfound zest for life in 1951 during the reconstruction of the destroyed from 11 to 12 September 1944 in the Brandnacht city. The name was derived from the nickname Heinerfest "Heiner" for Darmstadt population.
The Heinerfest always takes place on the five days from Thursday to Monday at the first Sunday of July. During this time, the city center is closed to traffic, buses will be diverted there. The conclusion of the Heiner festival was the great firework display every year on Monday night until 2010 on the Herrngarten; Since 2011, the fireworks over the Darmstadtium takes place.
The medical service support of Heiner Festival takes over the German Red Cross in Darmstadt. The aid stations are located in the Darmstadtium and at the Luisenplatz.