German SPIELEmuseum
See, marvel, play! - this motto is the programme. The German PLAY Museum is a lively place that promotes active communication between generations and cultures. The well-stocked games room offers the longest stay for enthusiasts and casual gamers. "Night at the Museum" can also be played here once a month. The popular family event "Chemnitz Plays" revitalises World Games Day every May.
The German Games Museum (DSM) was opened on 5 August 1995 as the first new private museum building in East Germany. It established itself with the "Solaris 2000" project as one of the external locations of the EXPO 2000 world exhibition in the solaris technology and business park in Chemnitz.
Since then, the centrepiece of the museum, the collection of historical games with exhibition rooms and archive, has grown steadily. The focus of the collection is on games from the GDR. Both well-known collections and hidden game treasures from home are preserved, researched and presented. In addition, annual exhibitions of young people's work have been published in cooperation with the Federal Competition for Political Education since 2018.
Highlights 2026
Special exhibitions
- "Zoos and zoological gardens - species conservation or cruelty to animals?"
20 March to 28 June 2026 - "What's that on your head?"
1 May to 31 May 2026 - Pop-up exhibition "RECHT. Rules of the game of everyday life"
14 July to 16 August 2026
Events at the museum
- GAMES night "At night in the museum"
2nd Friday / month from 6 pm to 1 am - Free role play day
28 March 2026, from 1 to 6 pm - Museum night in Chemnitz and the cultural region
9 May 2026, from 4 pm to 1 am - International Museum Day
17 May 2026, from 1 pm to 6 pm - "Chemnitz plays! 2026" - Children's and family games action day
31 May 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.