Earth Hour - The hour of the earth
Take part in Earth Hour 2026 and set an example for more climate protection!
We'll turn it off!
Earth Hour 2026: This year, Mainz is once again heeding the call from WWF Germany and participating in “Earth Hour,” urging all residents to join in on March 28.
During Earth Hour, the lights on famous buildings and landmarks in thousands of cities around the world will be turned off for one hour. In doing so, people, cities, and companies are calling for greater commitment to climate protection and nature. They will turn off the lights for one hour on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. to send a message. Well-known structures will then once again be shrouded in symbolic darkness, including landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, Big Ben in London, and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
As in previous years, the lights will be turned off at around 40 buildings in Mainz, including the Große Bleiche City Hall, the MEWA Arena, the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (LEIZA), and SCHOTT AG.
Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environmental Department: “Earth Hour reminds us of how much we can do together for our planet. When we turn off the lights here in Mainz and around the world, it becomes clear just how much power lies in collective action. I warmly invite all Mainz residents: Let’s send a visible signal together for climate and environmental protection.”
By symbolically turning off the lights on March 28, all residents of Mainz can also take a stand for climate protection themselves. Whether at home or on the go, whether analog or digital—the WWF invites everyone to join Earth Hour 2026!
In Germany, the global Earth Hour campaign will continue to focus on climate protection in 2026. If we fail to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees this decade, humanity and nature face catastrophic consequences: wildfires, droughts, and floods will become more frequent and severe. Habitats will be destroyed, and species will go extinct. This decade and this legislative term will determine whether we can still limit the climate crisis to a manageable level.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the WWF’s Earth Hour. The campaign began in 2007 in Sydney. Today, Earth Hour is held on every continent in more than 192 countries, with around 7,000 cities participating worldwide. In Germany, Earth Hour 2024 concluded with the participation of 560 cities and municipalities.
The lights in Mainz will be switched off here in 2026:
Also involved in the campaign again this year:
Mainz energy-saving campaign "The last one turns off the light"
To send a message about climate protection all year round, shops, businesses, schools, offices, and other establishments can take part in Mainz’s energy-saving campaign, “The Last One Turns Off the Lights.” When walking through Mainz in the evening, one thing immediately catches the eye: light. Many offices and stores remain brightly lit even after hours or on weekends. Add to that constantly lit stairwells, illuminated buildings, and flashing billboards, which make little sense even from a marketing perspective. Energy consumption could be reduced quickly and easily here. Participating is easy! Sign up, receive informational materials, and send an important message in support of active climate protection.