On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the traditional summer program “Mainz lebt auf seinen Plätzen” (Mainz Comes Alive in Its Squares), organized by the state capital of Mainz, will kick off. This year, a total of 39 events are on the schedule, all of which, as always, will take place outdoors with free admission.

Through September 3, concerts, theater performances, children’s programs, and lectures will provide top-notch entertainment. Once again this year, the events will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—exclusively at the market square. 

“With ‘Mainz lebt auf seinen Plätzen,’ we’re once again creating a gathering place right in the heart of our city this year. The diverse program invites people of all ages to experience culture together and enjoy the special atmosphere of the Mainz summer at the Markt,” said Mayor Nino Haase.

Every day at 4:30 p.m., a varied program of theater, clowning, magic, and children’s music awaits young culture fans. It’s not just about watching—it’s about getting involved: children can get active, join in the fun, sing along, and take the stage.

Starting at 7:00 p.m., the evening program—featuring a mix of concerts, theater, and dance performances—creates a lively summer atmosphere on the market square for people of all ages. 

Anyone looking for insights into the world of research will find just what they’re looking for at the “Meenzer Science-Schoppe.” On four evenings, scientists from Mainz will bring current research topics directly to the city center in this unique format—presented in a way that’s easy to understand, vivid, educational, and packed with entertainment.

The market square will host numerous program highlights this summer. Here’s a small selection:

Clown Filou kicks things off on Tuesday, July 28, taking the children on an adventurous journey around the world. Imagination will also run wild during the “Affirmative” improv theater performance on Wednesday, July 29. Skillfully and spontaneously, the performers slip into various roles, captivating young and old alike. The MUCK Theater is also set to delight audiences again this year with interactive, audience-participation plays: on Thursday, August 13 (“Snow White”) and Wednesday, August 26 (“Aladdin and the Magic Lamp”), the market will be filled with fairy-tale magic.

Sigi’s Jazz Men will provide musical energy on Thursday, August 6, with rousing jazz tunes, and the Mainz Accordion Orchestra will do the same on August 13. The “Men in Blue,” the brass band of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Police Orchestra, will also bring danceable rhythms and groovy brass sounds to the central square in the city center, in the shadow of the cathedral.

Ata Delbasteh, Head of the Department of Education and Culture, is particularly pleased that Mainz’s schools and clubs—including the Frauenlob Gymnasium, the Mainz-Oberstadt Gymnasium, the Mainz District Choir Association, and many others—are once again contributing to the program: “The students bring their talents, ideas, and enthusiasm to the stage, thereby enriching the cultural life of our city. At the same time, these performances offer a valuable opportunity to gain stage experience and to experience culture as something that connects and brings people together. My thanks go to all the teachers, clubs, and volunteers who make this possible.”

The program will conclude with the wind ensembles from Mainz’s elementary schools, who will showcase their musical skills. Following that, Jay Schreiber will provide an atmospheric finale with a diverse mix of singer-songwriter sounds, pop, and jazz.

The program brochure is available for download at www.mainz.de/mainzlebt, along with all information about the event series; printed program booklets are also available on-site.

Image credits: 

The attached photos are approved for publication; copyright belongs to the respective artists.